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
Background in Computer Science, Developing Acoustic AI Tech at Synature
- 1 Resources
- 1 Discussions
- 4 Groups
I am both head of the Innovation department and a biodiversity consultant at the Biotope consultancy. Originally a botanist and GIS expert, I specialise in the management of innovation projects, in particular software and technological products dedicated to biodiversity.
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 6 Groups
- @chmod000
- | he/they
I build sensing and perceiving hardware that is designed to address issues that matter to me. That ranges from assistive technologies, to conservation ecology, and connecting individuals with place and each other.
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 7 Groups
- @AliceMuller
- | she/her
I am an environmental scientist working in international community development and community led ecosystem restoration
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 1 Groups
- @EliThore
- | He/Him
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
I am a biologist with a broad interest in how the environment affects the behaviour and ecology of wildlife. I also like seeking creative and practical solutions to reduce our impact on the environment.
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 5 Groups
- @Theresa
- | she/her/hers
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 3 Groups
- 1 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 7 Groups
- @fmnrandrew
- | he, him
I hold a PhD in terrestrial ecology (2010) and am an Adjunct Research Fellow at Charles Sturt University. I also work with World Vision Australia as Monitoring Coordinator for a project called "Scale Up FMNR" which is short for "Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration"
- 0 Resources
- 2 Discussions
- 2 Groups
- @Iniunam
- | He
Conservation Biologist, Data Analyst and Bioacoustics enthusiast
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 3 Groups
Aditya Pal, born in Janakpur, Nepal, received his master’s degree in Zoology from Central Department of Zoology, Tribhuvan University, Nepal in 2019. His master’s thesis is in wetland birds of Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve. At present, he is working as a Research assistant at Hima
- 0 Resources
- 1 Discussions
- 5 Groups
- @sbombaci
- | she/her/hers
I study acoustic ecology, community ecology, and social justice in conservation
- 1 Resources
- 1 Discussions
- 3 Groups
- @garthpaine
- | He/Him
Arizona State University
Garth Paine (https://www.activatedspace.com/ ) is acoustic ecologist, composer, sound artist, and academic (ASU) based in USA/Australia. He is known for his pioneering work on species density metrics from ambient recordings and his anti-poaching efforts
- 1 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 5 Groups
Marine bioacoustics is making waves in Science News!
3 April 2024
Careers
What can soundscapes tell us about ecosystem functioning and health? We are looking to hire a postdoctoral researcher in ecoacoustics for Nature Recovery at Oxford
2 April 2024
Link
Hi, I am Anish and I'm new to this platform! I host the Think Wildlife Podcast and wanted to share a recent episode with Bourhan Yassini. We talk in-depth about the role of AI and bioacoustics in conservation. Tune...
28 March 2024
Link
The Freshwater Sounds Archive
Jack Greenhalgh
Introducing The Freshwater Sounds Archive, a global database of sounds produced by freshwater species. Submit your species-specific or unidentified sounds to the archive now and receive recognition for your...
15 March 2024
Careers
Hussey Labs seeks a senior post-doctoral researcher/senior research associate for movement ecology of Greenland halibut in the context of fisheries management across Baffin Bay-Davis Strait, Eastern Canadian Arctic.
13 March 2024
Article
Catch up on the conservation tech discussions and events that happened during World Wildlife Day 2024!
7 March 2024
Careers
A PHD POSITION AT NOTTINGHAM TRENT UNIVERSITY
Consolata Gathoni Gitau
Do you know anyone interested in this position? Let them know by sharing widely.
27 February 2024
Careers
The Ecological Acoustics and Behavior Lab at the University of New Hampshire seeks a PhD student to join our lab to investigate how forest habitat affects moose occupancy and soundscape in northern New Hampshire
13 February 2024
Careers
The primary focus of the research is to explore how red deer movements, space use, habitat selection and foraging behaviour change during the wolf recolonization process.
10 February 2024
Link
These researchers are introduce the ISPA (Inter-Species Phonetic Alphabet) as a new way to precisely interpret and transcribe animal sounds. By using text to represent sounds, existing human language machine learning...
8 February 2024
Careers
PhD Opportunity - Exploring plants’ sensing capability with vibroacoustics
University of Southampton
Applications open for a PhD position in plant vibroacoustics at the University of Southampton
8 February 2024
Article
We demonstrate the power of using passive acoustic monitoring & machine learning to survey species, using ruffed lemurs in southeastern Madagascar as an example.
23 January 2024
June 2025
event
Julia Wiel
July 2025
September 2025
October 2025
event
Vanesa Reyes
November 2025
August 2022
event
Stephanie O'Donnell
event
Justin Kitzes
July 2022
June 2022
event
Oliver_Metcalf
61 Products
| Description | Activity | Replies | Groups | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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... |
|
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... |
|
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... |
|
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!... |
|
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... |
|
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 | |
|
|
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... |
|
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... |
|
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... |
+9
|
Acoustics | 3 weeks 3 days ago | |
| Fantastic! Can't wait to hear updates. |
|
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... |
+15
|
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 |
|
Acoustics, Community Base, Data management and processing tools, Open Source Solutions | 1 month 2 weeks ago |
