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
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- 1 Discussions
- 1 Groups
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- @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.
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- 10 Discussions
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- @crazybirdguy
- | Him
Field Biologist at Yayasan Cikananga Konservasi Terpadu, Indonesia, with experience and interest mainly in ornithology, citizen science and bioaccoustic
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PhD Candidate in autonomous marine biodiversity modelling
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- 11 Discussions
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FruitPunch AI
CTO and Founder of FruitPunch AI
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- 4 Discussions
- 11 Groups
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
Wildlife ecologist with a passtion for conseration technology.
- 0 Resources
- 3 Discussions
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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.
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- 9 Groups
Saint Louis Zoo
- 0 Resources
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- 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).
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- 21 Discussions
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- @diyaquanauts
- | he / him
Digital nomad, software developer, running mechatronic engineering firm in Seychelles to assist ocean conservation groups.
- 0 Resources
- 10 Discussions
- 9 Groups
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- 8 Groups
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!
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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
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Link
Biodiversa+ is running a survey to map the European biodiversity monitoring landscape, identify opportunities for collaboration, and strengthen coordination for improved monitoring.
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The Inventory User Guide
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1 May 2024
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Introducing The Inventory!
Jake Burton
The Inventory is your one-stop shop for conservation technology tools, organisations, and R&D projects. Start contributing to it now!
1 May 2024
Careers
Hiring Chief Engineer at Conservation X Labs
Henrik Cox
Technology to End the Sixth Mass Extinction. Salary: $132 - $160k; Location: Seattle WA; 7+ years of experience in hardware product development and manufacturing; View post for full job description
1 May 2024
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TBC is looking for an applicant to lead on the design, analysis and reporting of data from a wide range of innovative bat population monitoring surveys with a particular focus on passive acoustic monitoring, undertake...
24 April 2024
Careers
Full-time 3 year postdoctoral fellowship in Escondido, CA
22 April 2024
Article
In a recent publication we tested Underwater Passive Acoustic Monitoring (UPAM) as a feasible non-invasive technique to study the calling behavior of therathened aquatic Andean frogs under natural conditions in the...
6 April 2024
Link
Check out how water-based sporting events are impacting underwater noise pollution for marine life.
3 April 2024
June 2025
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Julia Wiel
July 2025
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Vanesa Reyes
November 2025
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Wildlife Acoustics
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61 Products
| Description | Activity | Replies | Groups | Updated |
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| If you are considering EduGenie for your school assignments, it is useful to read the detailed review on the website. The article at https://nocramming.com/edugenie-review... |
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Acoustics, AI for Conservation, Marine Conservation | 1 minute 2 seconds ago | |
| Hi Mona. Yes, this is what we certainly what we are considering, but how to measure these indices by the hands of non-experts in the field is the advice that I need from the WL... |
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Acoustics | 1 day 19 hours ago | |
| Would that be able to process locally stored acoustic data? One of the great things about birdnet analyzer is that it is local - it doesn't require uploading terabytes... |
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Acoustics | 4 days 10 hours ago | |
| Do you collect or use sound recordings of habitats or species like birds, frogs, mammals, or insects in India? We need your expertise!... |
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Acoustics | 1 week 2 days ago | |
| My name is Frank Short and I am a PhD Candidate at Boston University in Biological Anthropology. I am currently doing fieldwork in Indonesia using machine-learning powered passive... |
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Acoustics, AI for Conservation, Animal Movement, Data management and processing tools, Early Career, Emerging Tech, Ethics of Conservation Tech, Protected Area Management Tools, Software Development | 2 weeks 1 day ago | |
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Latin America Community, Acoustics, AI for Conservation, Camera Traps, Drones, Early Career | 2 weeks 6 days ago | ||
| There are a lot of parameters in principle here. The size of the battery. How much time in the field is acceptable before a visit? Once a week? Once a month? How many devices you... |
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Acoustics | 3 weeks 1 day ago | |
| Hi Tom! I think the furry windjammer must be outside the casing to have the desired effect. It can be a bit tricky having this nice furry material that birds and other critters... |
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Acoustics | 3 weeks 3 days ago | |
| Hi Lana,"similar field setup" means that the vocalizing animal should be surrounded by the recorders and you should have at least 4 audiomoths recording the same sound, then the... |
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Acoustics | 3 weeks 3 days ago | |
| Fantastic! Can't wait to hear updates. |
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Acoustics | 4 weeks 1 day ago | |
| New stable release : v1.5.1We are pleased to announce the latest release with several important enhancement, fixes and documentation improvements to ensure compatibility with the... |
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Acoustics, AI for Conservation, Open Source Solutions, Software Development | 1 month 1 week ago | |
| Hello everyone,Thank you all for your contribution!You can read some updates about this project in this post.Julia |
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Acoustics, Community Base, Data management and processing tools, Open Source Solutions | 1 month 2 weeks ago |
