Acoustics | WILDLABS

Active members

Active discussions

1164

Comments

Resources

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

Country based in

Sort by

@astenh

University of Adelaide

TBC: xx articles
0 Resources
10 Discussions
17 Groups

@pbull
| he/him

DrivenData

Engineer and AI for Good leader working on bringing machine learning tools to social impact organizations.

TBC: xx articles
0 Resources
1 Discussions
8 Groups

@WildSolutions

TBC: xx articles
0 Resources
0 Discussions
4 Groups

@ronanwallace
| He/Him

Research scientist developing conservation technology in environmental monitoring and cultural preservation.

TBC: xx articles
0 Resources
0 Discussions
5 Groups

@agmacpha

TBC: xx articles
0 Resources
0 Discussions
1 Groups

@rbwardell

TBC: xx articles
0 Resources
0 Discussions
6 Groups

@jul

TerrOïko

I am an ecological data engineer at Terroïko, where I work on OCAPI, a platform for semi-automatic camtrap data annotation, biodiversity data interoperability and biodiversity indicators.

TBC: xx articles
0 Resources
10 Discussions
6 Groups

@shana
| she/her

I am a Senior Research Scientist in the Department of Human Centered Design and Engineering at the University of Washington. I am a researcher with the eDNA Collaborative and Co-Director of the Pacific Marine Energy Center.

TBC: xx articles
2 Resources
2 Discussions
8 Groups

@douggillespie
| he/his

University of St Andrews

PAMGuard software developer

TBC: xx articles
0 Resources
3 Discussions
5 Groups

@catwasp
| She/her

TBC: xx articles
0 Resources
0 Discussions
19 Groups

@sbenbow

Fauna & Flora

TBC: xx articles
0 Resources
0 Discussions
3 Groups

@jimbargelt00

Ph.D Speech-Hearing Sciences; 3D Designer/Printer interested in building/testing/deploying standardized environmental recording platforms for scientists and engineers in developing countries.

TBC: xx articles
0 Resources
0 Discussions
10 Groups

Careers

Conservation Innovation Manager

David Will

Island Conservation's Innovation Team is dedicated to developing innovative, data-driven tools to increase the scale, scope, and pace of island restorations around the world. As the Conservation Innovation Manager, you...

27 September 2023

Article

Leaf Litter Tech Issue: WILDLABS Spotlight

Stephanie O'Donnell

If only there was a place where these users, manufacturers, and supporters of conservation technology could connect with one another. There is. It is called WILDLABS.

22 September 2023

Article

NEW White Paper: Harnessing the Power of Sound & AI to track Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) Targets

Carly Batist

The new white paper from Rainforest Connection (RFCx) explores the power of ecoacoustics and AI to monitor biodiversity and track progress towards GBF targets using case studies from around the world.

20 September 2023

Article

In case you missed it... (no. 1)

Stephanie O'Donnell

Five #tech4wildlife people, projects and updates that caught our attention this month. An AI supported bear early warning system, a project that's connecting indigenous communities with high speed internet, exploring...

12 September 2023

Link

Large scale bioacoustic analysis in the Peruvian Amazon

Geoff Carss

It's relatively easy to collect vast amounts of audio data - it's not so easy to analyse it and get consistent results. The Wilder Sensing platform enables users to upload vast quantities of audio which is then analysed...

1 September 2023

Link

Estimating California Spotted Owl population with bioacoustic survey

Ellie Warren

News about a population survey of California Spotted Owls using 1,600 autonomous recording units in the Sierra Nevada region. Machine learning made analyzing this acoustic data possible at this large scale for the first...

29 August 2023