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

@mactadpole

Texas A&M University

TBC: xx articles
1 Resources
3 Discussions
2 Groups

@RHugtenburg
| He/They

Student at Aberystwyth University. Bug Fanatic🪲. Worked at Octophin Digital for my industrial year placement 🐙.

TBC: xx articles
0 Resources
0 Discussions
20 Groups

@CynthiaGw
| Her/she

Hi, Cynthia Gichimu here. I'm a conservationist, and a champion for youths. I believe in environmental sustainability for posterity. I volunteer as a Project Officer with the Friends of Kinangop Plateau, a community-based local action group committed to biodiversity conservation.

TBC: xx articles
1 Resources
3 Discussions
6 Groups

@ramirocrego

Ramiro is an ecologist whose research interests are in the fields of applied animal ecology and conservation biology. He addresses critical research questions by integrating a combination of field data collection, GIS, remote sensing, and advanced modelling techniques.

TBC: xx articles
0 Resources
0 Discussions
7 Groups

@caseyjoscience
| she/her

Recent grad with extensive experience in marine mammal AI and marine mammal bioacoustics!

TBC: xx articles
0 Resources
0 Discussions
3 Groups

@J_Growcott99

TBC: xx articles
0 Resources
0 Discussions
2 Groups

@tim_bailey_jbaconsulting_com

TBC: xx articles
0 Resources
0 Discussions
8 Groups

@Sophy
| She/Her

TBC: xx articles
0 Resources
0 Discussions
2 Groups

@rmjtjp
| She/They

TBC: xx articles
0 Resources
0 Discussions
7 Groups

@RyanRuttan

Drone Operator and Tech Developer

TBC: xx articles
0 Resources
33 Discussions
9 Groups

@Bob_Ashington

Conservationist currently working as UAS Remote Pilot & with ecoacoustics

TBC: xx articles
0 Resources
5 Discussions
4 Groups

@baiht

Ornithologist working on passive acoustic monitoring equipment R&D in China

TBC: xx articles
0 Resources
0 Discussions
1 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