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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- @sharath
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https://experts.illinois.edu/en/persons/sharath-chandra-ramakrishnan
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- @kalado
- | Kalado
I am Brazilian and a software developer. I have 20 years of experience in the field and I am currently the CTO of Log Nature, a company specialized in creating solutions for the environmental sector.
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Interested in miniature VHF transmitters for bat research
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- @leonardoscarpa
- | He/His
I'm Leonardo, I'm a biologist, and I'm passionate about movement ecology. Another of my hobbies is GIS. I have a master's degree in this topic, which I complement with the use of technology such as drones, camera traps and acoustic receivers
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- @Samiul
- | He/His/Him
Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)
Working for wildlife conservation in Bangladesh since 2010.
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- @SareachChea
- | Sareach
Conservation International
I graduated in Ms of Entomology, and currently I work with Conservation International Cambodia as Biodiversity and Science Senior Coordinator.
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PhD researcher at the University of East Anglia with the working title - "From landscape to soundscape: what drives spatial variation in natural soundscape characteristics?"
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Newcastle University
Senior Lecturer in Biological Modelling. Interests in AI, spatial data, invertebrate ecology, species mapping
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- @pmarchetto
- | he/him
University of Minnesota
http://about.me/pete.marchetto
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National Geographic Society
Experience utilizing technology to inspire, educate, and create solutions to some of our biggest challenges. Currently, head of the National Geographic Society Exploration Technology Lab, overseeing the development and deployment of research and storytelling technologies.
- 0 Resources
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University of Florida (UF)
PhD student - acoustic monitoring in Amazon flooded forests.
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I'm a wildlife ecologist with interests in a range of technology.
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Careers
Job: Conservation Technology Specialist (PT)
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To assist with creative research project in the DC/VA/MD region
6 January 2023
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Job: maker / workshop technician
Duncan Wilson
We are looking for someone who enjoys the craft of making to come and help run our London based lab.
5 January 2023
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PhD - Sensory ecology of vespine wasps
Duncan Wilson
a technology-led solution to understanding the honeybees of the wasp world
8 December 2022
Link
Acoustic survey data is used to estimate the diversity of critically endangered amphibians in the fragmented forests of Madagascar.
28 November 2022
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WILDLABS Digest: 4 November 2022
Stephanie O'Donnell
A new issue of our community digest just went out! Check it out to discover a big platform update, and a summary of all the latest content from across WILDLABS in one easy to scan place!
4 November 2022
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New conservation tech articles from Mongabay
Carly Batist
Five articles that include conservation tech published at Mongabay
20 October 2022
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Conservation Technology Intern (Vietnam)
Stephanie O'Donnell and 1 more
*New closing date!* WILDLABS and Fauna & Flora International are seeking an early career conservationist for 12-month paid internship position to grow and support the Southeast Asia regional community in our global...
19 October 2022
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Acoustic Monitoring Biologist (Avian)
Jerry Cole
The Institute for Bird Populations (IBP) seeks a biologist to assist with an autonomous recording unit (ARU) bird monitoring project at California off-highway vehicle recreation parks and other ARU monitoring projects...
19 October 2022
Link
"We develop the use of benthic species as animal oceanographers by combining archival (depth, temperature) data from animal-borne tags, passive acoustic telemetry & citizen-science mark-recapture records for the...
10 October 2022
Careers
Open Position at Cornell - Software/Firmware Developer
Holger Klinck
The Yang Center is seeking a Software/Firmware Developer responsible for designing, developing, improving, and maintaining embedded systems to acquire and process bioacoustic data. The
6 October 2022
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Audio Across Domains Workshop 2022
Tessa Rhinehart
A collaborative and cross-disciplinary meeting of audio data scientists spawns creative research collaborations
3 October 2022
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| Description | Activity | Replies | Groups | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| That's amazing thanks so much! |
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Acoustics, AI for Conservation, Data Management & Mobilisation, Early Career | 5 months 2 weeks ago | |
| I have now built my fox and cat trap.I want to triger it by face reconition so not to get possums or goanners.Can you help ?Doug Hemingway.0418 390 701 |
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Acoustics, Build Your Own Data Logger Community | 5 months 2 weeks ago | |
| I just started using this software a few days ago and so far it has captured and kept my attention more than other programs such as Raven or Kaleidoscope. I have only been using... |
+1
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Acoustics | 6 months ago | |
| As someone who is looking for a relatively simple solution for multiple collaborators (all with very little expertise in bats or acoustics) in a large consortium, I am curious as... |
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Acoustics | 6 months ago | |
| Highly recommend the Saffron Aid modified Song Meter Mini for a professional deployment. If you want to go down the audiomoth route it makes sense to look at options for the... |
+7
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Acoustics | 6 months ago | |
| I think its possible. I spoke to Stuart at the BTO a while ago about this. It's just not available as an off the shelf solution yet. If you can get real time outputs on the pi (or... |
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Acoustics | 6 months ago | |
| Hi everyone, can you recommend reliable bat detectors for fieldwork? I'm focusing on bat (Chiroptera) research and need a detector... |
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Acoustics | 6 months 1 week ago | |
| You can hack a 6-inch underwater speaker onto a recording unit, and swap it from being speaker to a microphone. They are, on paper, the same thing. That frequency... |
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Acoustics | 6 months 2 weeks ago | |
| Hey Catherine! This post originally linked to an old version of the database - the new version does include WildTrax. I'm a big fan of it :) |
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Acoustics | 6 months 2 weeks ago | |
| Thanks for reaching out.Please send us an email: smithy@kznwildlife.com and david.ehlers.smith@birdlife.org.za and we can have chat. Review and meta-analysis welcome as well as... |
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Acoustics | 6 months 2 weeks ago | |
| Hi Lucille,Thank you for your reply! We’d be really interested in learning more about your developments. We’ll contact you soon to arrange a discussion.Thank you.Best regards,... |
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Acoustics, AI for Conservation, Sensors | 6 months 2 weeks ago | |
| That is splendid news! Thanks Willem-Pier! |
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Acoustics | 6 months 2 weeks ago |
