Acoustic sensors enable efficient and non-invasive monitoring of a wide range of species, including many that are difficult to monitor in other ways. Although they were initially limited in application scope largely due to cost and hardware constraints, the development of low-cost, open-source models like the Audiomoth in recent years has increased access immensely and opened up new avenues of research. For example, some teams are using them to identify illicit human activities through the detection of associated sounds, like gunshots, vehicles, or chainsaws (e.g. OpenEars).
With this relatively novel dimension of wildlife monitoring rapidly advancing in both marine and terrestrial systems, it is crucial that we identify and share information about the utility and constraints of these sensors to inform efforts. A recent study identified advancements in hardware and machine learning applications, as well as early development of acoustic biodiversity indicators, as factors facilitating progress in the field. In terms of limitations, the authors highlight insufficient reference sound libraries, a lack of open-source audio processing tools, and a need for standardization of survey and analysis protocols. They also stress the importance of collaboration in moving forward, which is precisely what this group will aim to facilitate.
If you're new to acoustic monitoring and want to get up to speed on the basics, check out these beginner's resources and conversations from across the WILDLABS platform:
Three Resources for Beginners:
- Listening to Nature: The Emerging Field of Bioacoustics, Adam Welz
- Ecoacoustics and Biodiversity Monitoring, RSEC Journal
- Monitoring Ecosystems through Sound: The Present and Future of Passive Acoustics, Ella Browning and Rory Gibb
Three Forum Threads for Beginners:
- AudioMoth user guide | Tessa Rhinehart
- Audiomoth and Natterjack Monitoring (UK) | Stuart Newson
- Help with analysing bat recordings from Audiomoth | Carlos Abrahams
Three Tutorials for Beginners:
- "How do I perform automated recordings of bird assemblages?" | Carlos Abrahams, Tech Tutors
- "How do I scale up acoustic surveys with Audiomoths and automated processing?" | Tessa Rhinehart, Tech Tutors
- Acoustic Monitoring | David Watson, Ruby Lee, Andy Hill, and Dimitri Ponirakis, Virtual Meetups
Want to know more about acoustic monitoring and learn from experts in the WILDLABS community? Jump into the discussion in our Acoustic Monitoring group!
Header image: Carly Batist
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- @diego_lizcano
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Wildlife biologist interested in biodiversity monitoring and the conservation of mammals. Passionate photographer.
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- @ecosystem2
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wildlife crime WWF-NL
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- @sruizguz
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Laboratory research technician at the Kitzes lab - University of Pittsburgh. My research focuses on acoustic monitoring for ecology and conservation.
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- @jenlaw
- | She/Her
Biodiversity scientist specialising specialising in the study of tropical ecosystems and their biodiversity using multiple forms of technology, including acoustics, images and robotics.
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- @dieagomezmor
- | he/him/his
Master in biology with a background in GIS, bioacoustics and soundscape ecology.
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The University of Queensland
Passionate about using technology and data to solve conservation issues.
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- @ldbraunholtz
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(Tropical) forest ecologist w interest: biodiversity, camera traps, community led conservation & more. Passionate about inclusive nature for all.
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- @jscanass
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University College London (UCL) & Red Ecoacústica Colombiana
PhD Student at UCL
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- @Gathoni
- | Her/she
PhD Candidate at Nottingham Trent University, UK. Ecologist with a passion for wildlife conservation and conservation technology with foundational training in BSc and MSc Rangeland Management (Ecology option). Current project: Use of acoustics to monitor ecosystem restoration.
- 5 Resources
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Develops acoustics for cetacean and bat monitoring: F-POD, C-POD, BatBug
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Funding
Scientific Product Grant
Agripina Cletus
Wildlife Acoustics Scientific Product Grant was introduced to support the advancement of habitat monitoring, and environmental conservation.
26 July 2024
Discover the challenges marine animals face in busy shipping lanes—from the constant noise disrupting their habitats to the threat of ship collisions. Slowing down ships could offer a simple yet effective solution to...
8 July 2024
Article
Manufacturing Partnership Brings Low-Cost Pipistrelle Family of Detectors to Researchers, Ecologists and Bat Enthusiasts Around the World
2 July 2024
Article
NEW PUBLICATION ALERT!
Consolata Gathoni Gitau
One of the most thrilling moments for any researcher is seeing their hard work published for the world to see. As part of the Women in Conservation Technology (WiCT) Kenya Cohort One, we not only learnt about the use of...
17 June 2024
Careers
Deep learning & bioacoustics postdoc in Cape Town, South Africa
Emmanuel Dufourq
Come join us at AIMS, and work on deep learning for bioacoustics research!
14 June 2024
Careers
The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance's Burrowing Owl Recovery Program and Conservation Technology Lab seek a postdoctoral research associate to develop bioacoustic tools for monitoring the western burrowing owl...
11 June 2024
Careers
Fully funded PhD in AI biodiversity monitoring
Benno Simmons
Come and do the first research into responsible AI for biodiversity monitoring, developing ways to ensure these AIs are safe, unbiased and accountable.
11 June 2024
Article
New WILDLABS Funding & Finance group
Frank van der Most
WildLabs will soon launch a 'Funding and Finance' group. What would be your wish list for such a group? Would you be interested in co-managing or otherwise helping out?
5 June 2024
Funding
Apply! 2024 Conservation Tech Award
Jordan Steward
Now accepting applications for two $15,000 grants to help protect wildlife through cutting-edge, technology-driven efforts
3 June 2024
Link
Audiomoth Group Order!
Carly Batist
GroupGets has a new group purchase for Audiomoths!
23 May 2024
Article
Share Your Work in a Conservation Technology Video
Robin Marti Sarasa
Do you have photos and videos of your conservation tech work? We want to include them in a conservation technology showcase video
17 May 2024
Link
Biodiversa+ is running a survey to map the European biodiversity monitoring landscape, identify opportunities for collaboration, and strengthen coordination for improved monitoring.
7 May 2024
September 2025
October 2025
event
Vanesa Reyes
November 2025
November 2023
64 Products
Recently updated products
| Description | Activity | Replies | Groups | Updated |
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| Thanks, we know they are breeding these animals here, I asked, since it's seems to be an expensive hobby, we need to allocate more funding for rural women in entrepreneurship and... |
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Acoustics, Animal Movement, Citizen Science, Human-Wildlife Coexistence, Protected Area Management Tools, Wildlife Crime | 10 months 1 week ago | |
| WildMon, Terra Genesis, The VF Foundation, Thaksin University, and the Wanakaset Symbiosis Network have teamed up on a new project in... |
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Acoustics, AI for Conservation, Community Base | 10 months 2 weeks ago | |
| This looks awesome! |
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Acoustics | 10 months 3 weeks ago | |
| I would love to see my bat detector designs in use in Africa - drop me a line, let's see if we can get something to happen - I'm pipistrelledetector at gmail dot comhttp://www.... |
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Citizen Science, Acoustics, Conservation Tech Training and Education, Human-Wildlife Coexistence | 10 months 3 weeks ago | |
| Hi Phil, Thanks for sharing - this is really interesting work! Seems like a cool integration of ground-based (or ocean-based) data and satellite data, with a community... |
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Geospatial, Acoustics, Camera Traps, eDNA & Genomics | 11 months ago | |
| Or you could use my sbts-aru project. Which is free software that runs on Raspberry Pis. It also allows you to perform sound localization remotely if required, without bringing... |
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Acoustics | 11 months ago | |
| Yes, predation is a significant conservation issue, especially for vulnerable species. Invasive predators can harm native wildlife, and carnivores preying on livestock often lead... |
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Acoustics | 11 months 1 week ago | |
| I shared some information on different ARU options in this post which might help! |
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Acoustics | 11 months 1 week ago | |
| Thanks for the plug, @Rob_Appleby Yes, we do a lot of work with audio playback as a nonlethal deterrent. We generally don’t do any work on identifying the animal... |
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Acoustics | 11 months 3 weeks ago | |
| Hi Sean! I was the one who annotated these recordings and this is definitely a mistake- that song is a Hauxwell's Thrush; it's annotated correctly with 15622 but not with... |
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Acoustics | 11 months 3 weeks ago | |
| @calyptura Try using another version of the download scripts that you can download from this link. There are 2 version of the script available. |
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Acoustics | 1 year ago | |
| We actually recently introduced Recording Schedules - where you can control the PUC's duty cycle during (Day, Night, Dawn, Dusk). |
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Acoustics | 1 year ago |
