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
- @Antonio.A.Ferraz
- | him
Scientist interested in integrating remotely sensed habitat characterization with animal movement and acoustics datasets for conservation applications. Working at JPL and UCLA-IoES affliated
- 1 Resources
- 1 Discussions
- 1 Groups
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 3 Groups
- @Andrew_Hill
- | He/Him
Open Acoustic Devices
I am co-founder of Open Acoustic Devices, the creators of AudioMoth and HydroMoth. My background is Electronic Engineering and Computer Science.
- 0 Resources
- 10 Discussions
- 2 Groups
- @crazybirdguy
- | Him
Field Biologist at Yayasan Cikananga Konservasi Terpadu, Indonesia, with experience and interest mainly in ornithology, citizen science and bioaccoustic
- 0 Resources
- 9 Discussions
- 12 Groups
PhD Candidate in autonomous marine biodiversity modelling
- 0 Resources
- 11 Discussions
- 8 Groups
FruitPunch AI
CTO and Founder of FruitPunch AI
- 0 Resources
- 4 Discussions
- 11 Groups
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
Wildlife ecologist with a passtion for conseration technology.
- 0 Resources
- 3 Discussions
- 4 Groups
PhD Candidate at University College London. Research and develop wireless sensor networks for biodiversity monitoring. Currently working on a software package for AI bioacoustics classifiers on edge device.
- 0 Resources
- 2 Discussions
- 9 Groups
Saint Louis Zoo
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 13 Groups
- @alex_rogers
- | He/him/his
University of Oxford
I am a Professor of Computer Science at the University of Oxford where I work on developing novel low-cost conservation technology (including AudioMoth and SnapperGPS).
- 0 Resources
- 21 Discussions
- 3 Groups
- @diyaquanauts
- | he / him
Digital nomad, software developer, running mechatronic engineering firm in Seychelles to assist ocean conservation groups.
- 0 Resources
- 10 Discussions
- 9 Groups
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 8 Groups
Article
You can now pick with or without switch
21 October 2024
Link
Women and GIS
Szilvia Szilagyi
Empower GIS day, 20th of November 2024 Welcome to join over the globe
9 October 2024
Link
Very nice video!
7 October 2024
Careers
MS and PhD Opportunities in Ocean Engineering and Oceanography
Camille Pagniello
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
Article
Bat Detector for iOS added to Inventory
Phil Atkin
Not really news, but it's worth shouting about!
2 October 2024
Link
User insights for a Shazam for frogs
Juliana Gómez Consuegra
I'm a MIDS graduate student at UC Berkeley working on a citizen science app for automated frog call identification. I'd like to know how users interact with such apps and their pain points. This 5-minute survey will...
27 September 2024
Article
🌍🎶 **Inspiring Moments at the African Bioacoustics Community Conference!** 🎶🌍
Consolata Gathoni Gitau
The African Bioacoustics Conference!
18 September 2024
Link
Calibration Talk at the 2017 ASA ACBA Symposium
Pete Marchetto
After all the discussion about calibration yesterday during the bioacoustics hardware call, I figured I should link to my talk on the subject from a few years ago.
6 September 2024
Funding
The Coral Research & Development Accelerator Platform opened it's Coral Accelerator Program 2024 for internationally collaborating teams to apply with innovative projects ranging from 'novel early-phase' to 'final...
26 August 2024
Link
Hydrophone user survey 2024
Lucille Chapuis
The IQOE Task Team on Low-Cost Hydrophones for Research, Education and Citizen Science would like to understand the needs of all hydrophone end-users. Please answer a few questions in this online survey! By...
26 August 2024
Article
Join us for Season Five of the WILDLABS Virtual Meetup Series, tuning in to the world of Bioacoustics! Laying the groundwork for our new horizon scan research, each event will convene cross-sector experts to explore a...
22 August 2024
Article
Join us in celebrating this year’s Judging Panele Award winners!
19 August 2024
June 2025
event
Julia Wiel
July 2025
September 2025
October 2025
event
Vanesa Reyes
November 2025
July 2023
June 2023
event
Stephanie O'Donnell
event
Esther Githinji
May 2023
event
Wildlife Acoustics
April 2023
event
Netty Cheruto
61 Products
| Description | Activity | Replies | Groups | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great survey idea, Rory! I am completing it for my organization now so you should see another form input shortly. |
|
Acoustics | 8 years 9 months ago | |
| For those who are interested in this thread, Arik has posted his new prototype in a new thread, where the discussion has continued. |
+8
|
Acoustics | 8 years 10 months ago | |
| Hi Tiago, Thank you for sharing this paper and contributing your experience to the thread. Blantant self promotion, as you put it, is more than welcome when the work... |
+4
|
Acoustics | 9 years ago | |
| The Elephant Listening Project at the University of Cornell is looking a Postdoctoral research to study forest elephants in central Africa using a combination of field... |
|
Acoustics | 9 years 2 months ago | |
| Like many scientists, I am addicted to learning as much information about my field as possible. That being said - does anyone have any... |
|
Acoustics | 9 years 3 months ago | |
| Excerpted from an article available via Alberta Farm Press (opens in new window). "A University of Alberta... |
|
Acoustics | 9 years 3 months ago | |
| This special issue of Ecological Informatics, entitled Ecological Acoustics, is a great overview of the applicatoins of acoustic... |
|
Acoustics | 9 years 4 months ago |
