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
No showcases have been added to this group yet.
- @mkclapp
- | she/hers
avian ecologist, audiophile, mountain lake enthusiast
- 0 Resources
- 4 Discussions
- 3 Groups
- @TheDataEnthusiastic
- | He/Him
Hi, I'm pursuing Master's in Data Science. And I want work help protect nature and wildlife.
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 13 Groups
World Wide Fund for Nature/ World Wildlife Fund (WWF)

- 0 Resources
- 12 Discussions
- 15 Groups
Tunisian marine ecologist
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 4 Groups
- @jodirowley
- | she/her
Conservation biologist obsessed with frogs
- 1 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 5 Groups
- 1 Resources
- 2 Discussions
- 7 Groups
Sound art and design
- 0 Resources
- 1 Discussions
- 2 Groups
- @MichaelMaggs
- | he/him
Frontier Labs
Bioacoustics lover and director @ Frontier Labs
- 0 Resources
- 3 Discussions
- 3 Groups
- @lconfuron
- | Laetitia
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 2 Groups
- @tom_august
- | he/him
Computational ecologist with interests in computer vision, citizen science, open science, drones, acoustics, data viz, software engineering, public engagement



- 8 Resources
- 54 Discussions
- 5 Groups
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 2 Groups
I am a herpetologist interested in bioacoustics, evolution and conservation biology. Currently, I am a postdoc fellow at Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Brazil.
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 5 Groups
Join the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance as a Postdoctoral Fellow! Lead groundbreaking bioacoustic and ML research to conserve burrowing owls in SoCal.
26 November 2024
Interesting webinar on the use of advanced technologies(e.g. Artificial Intelligence, cloud computing, drones, camera traps and satellites) for biodiversity monitoring in the Amazon. Also available in Spanish.
25 November 2024
Careers
WCS iseeking candidates for an acoustic technician position to support the Western Arctic Program’s ongoing work using passive acoustic monitoring to study marine mammals, fish, and underwater noise in the Canadian...
19 November 2024
1 year research role working on the FrogID citizen science project
13 November 2024
Are you stuck on an AI or ML challenge in your conservation work? Apply now for the chance to receive tailored expert advice from data scientists! The deadline for applications is Monday 9 December 2024.
13 November 2024
The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Conservation Technology Lab seeks a postdoctoral associate for a three-year position applying their machine learning expertise to bioacoustics problems in ecology and conservation.
1 November 2024
You can now pick with or without switch
21 October 2024
Link
Empower GIS day, 20th of November 2024 Welcome to join over the globe
9 October 2024
Very nice video!
7 October 2024
The Marine Innovation Lab for Leading-edge Oceanography develops hardware and software to expand the ocean observing network and for the sustainable management of natural resources. For Fall 2025, we are actively...
6 October 2024
Not really news, but it's worth shouting about!
2 October 2024
August 2025
event
September 2025
event
October 2025
November 2025
event
December 2023
event
November 2023
event
64 Products
Recently updated products
Description | Activity | Replies | Groups | Updated |
---|---|---|---|---|
Really interesting project. Interesting chip set you found. With up to around 2mb sram that’s quite a high memory for a ultra low power soc I think.It might also be... |
+8
|
Acoustics, AI for Conservation | 1 year 5 months ago | |
Hi everyone, I am currently working on the vocal repertoire of an Amazon turtle species and would appreciate if someone would be open... |
|
Acoustics | 1 year 5 months ago | |
Thank you so much for your encouraging words! I'm thrilled to hear that you enjoyed our conversation, and I truly appreciate your support in spreading the word about my survey... |
|
Acoustics, AI for Conservation | 1 year 5 months ago | |
I heard it through industry chatter but can't find a news release on it yet. |
+16
|
Acoustics | 1 year 5 months ago | |
Hi everyone,I posted this mystery recording to Twitter already, but perhaps this forum will have more ideas... Over the years, my lab... |
|
Acoustics | 1 year 5 months ago | |
Hi Danilo. you seem very passionate about this initiative which is a good start.It is an interesting coincidence that I am starting another project for the coral reefs in the... |
|
Acoustics, AI for Conservation, Animal Movement, Camera Traps, Citizen Science, Climate Change, Community Base, Connectivity, Drones, Emerging Tech, Human-Wildlife Coexistence, Open Source Solutions, Sensors, Software Development, Wildlife Crime, Funding and Finance | 1 year 6 months ago | |
Hi Teresa, Thanks for your interest in Arbimon! The platform has a couple different analysis tools that range from unsupervised (like audio event detection & clustering,... |
+3
|
Acoustics | 1 year 6 months ago | |
Real nice video. I'll have another look in the weekend in detail. |
+10
|
Acoustics, Community Base, Protected Area Management Tools, Geospatial, Sensors | 1 year 6 months ago | |
When it comes to long-range communication in the jungle, it can be challenging due to the dense vegetation that can obstruct radio waves.... |
|
Acoustics, Connectivity | 1 year 6 months ago | |
I would recommend going with Ubiquity 2.4Ghz devices which have performed relatively well in dense foliage of the California Redwood forests. It took a lot of tweaking to... |
|
Acoustics, AI for Conservation, Connectivity, Open Source Solutions | 1 year 6 months ago | |
Thank you @carlybatist |
|
Acoustics | 1 year 6 months ago | |
Let me introduce my Citibats Cambodia project (inaturalist.org/projects/citibats-cambodia) hosted on iNaturalist. At the moment we have... |
|
Acoustics | 1 year 6 months ago |