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
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Partner in Conservation at WWF
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Savanna Ecologist, Field Station Director and Head of Conservation Tech Projects for Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS).
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Ecologist & Conservationist. Women for the Environment, Africa Fellow. National Geographic Explorer.
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PhD student at UC Davis studying gorilla communication & movement
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Avian Science Tech at Ecostudies Institute; AudioMoths and military lands
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Wild Me
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Adventure Scientists is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization based in Bozeman, MT that equips scientists and researchers with high-quality data collected from the outdoors that are crucial to addressing environmental challenges around the world.
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Background in Computer Science, Developing Acoustic AI Tech at Synature
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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.
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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.
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Careers
Multiple Roles with Rainforest Connection
Rainforest Connection
Rainforest Connection has multiple engineering positions that will suppor their work developing acoustic monitoring devices.
16 June 2022
Article
Passive acoustic training workshop video/materials
Carly Batist
Video recording of workshop held in Madagascar + PDFs of slide, links to other resources & terrestrial PAM bibliography
13 June 2022
Article
New papers on marine acoustic monitoring
Carly Batist
Acoustic pingers to reduce net entanglement of river dolphins, acoustic observatories for sperm whales, detectability of dolphin whistles, monitoring sperm whales through echolocation rates
11 June 2022
Article
Julia Martínez Pardo et al., Published in Biological Conservation
4 June 2022
Article
Microchip has just announced the 1 GHz SAMA7G54 single-core Arm Cortex-A7 microprocessor (MPU) with MIPI CSI-2 and parallel camera interfaces, as well as up to four I2S, one SPDIF transmitter and receiver, and a 4-...
3 June 2022
Article
"A drone emitting orca sounds will be used in attempt to guide the animal, whose health is fast deteriorating"
1 June 2022
Article
New papers on passive acoustic monitoring
Carly Batist
Couple of hot-off-the-press papers on different passive acoustic monitoring studies, including ones on manatees, coral reef fishes, woodpeckers, insects, and using ecoacoustic indices in marine soundscapes
29 May 2022
Article
Authors: Danielle I. Rappaport, Anshuman Swain, William F. Fagan, Ralph Dubayah, Douglas C. Morton
29 May 2022
Community Announcement
Apply now: Women in Conservation Technology Programme, Kenya
Stephanie O'Donnell
Are you an early career Kenyan conservationist looking to explore emerging conservation technologies while networking with a strong cohort of other female leaders? Apply now for our 6-month Women in Conservation Tech...
8 March 2022
Article
Introducing the WILDLABS On the Edge Fellows
WILDLABS Team
We're proud to introduce the first WILDLABS On the Edge Fellows for 2022, Loretta Schindlerova and Meredith Palmer! Working alongside expert Edge Impulse mentors, these two fellows will use embedded machine learning to...
10 February 2022
Article
GroupGets: AudioMoth Underwater Case
Open Acoustic Devices
Don't miss your chance to order the AudioMoth Underwater Case through GroupGets! This campaign is for a waterproof case designed specifically for AudioMoth version 1.2.0 (without the 3.5mm socket), and for use at depths...
11 January 2022
Article
New Paper: HydroMoth Testing
Open Acoustic Devices
Open Acoustic Devices have tested their new HydroMoth, an affordable marine acoustic tool that could open up new avenues for marine conservationists without budget for expensive hydrophones. Read the newly published...
5 January 2022
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Wildlife Acoustics
July 2021
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| Description | Activity | Replies | Groups | Updated |
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| Thank you so much! This is super helpful and I really appreciate the feedback! |
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Acoustics, Data management and processing tools | 5 months ago | |
| That's amazing thanks so much! |
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Acoustics, AI for Conservation, Data management and processing tools, Early Career | 5 months 1 week ago | |
| I have now built my fox and cat trap.I want to triger it by face reconition so not to get possums or goanners.Can you help ?Doug Hemingway.0418 390 701 |
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Acoustics, Build Your Own Data Logger Community | 5 months 1 week ago | |
| I just started using this software a few days ago and so far it has captured and kept my attention more than other programs such as Raven or Kaleidoscope. I have only been using... |
+1
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Acoustics | 5 months 2 weeks ago | |
| As someone who is looking for a relatively simple solution for multiple collaborators (all with very little expertise in bats or acoustics) in a large consortium, I am curious as... |
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Acoustics | 5 months 2 weeks ago | |
| Highly recommend the Saffron Aid modified Song Meter Mini for a professional deployment. If you want to go down the audiomoth route it makes sense to look at options for the... |
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Acoustics | 5 months 3 weeks ago | |
| I think its possible. I spoke to Stuart at the BTO a while ago about this. It's just not available as an off the shelf solution yet. If you can get real time outputs on the pi (or... |
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Acoustics | 5 months 3 weeks ago | |
| Hi everyone, can you recommend reliable bat detectors for fieldwork? I'm focusing on bat (Chiroptera) research and need a detector... |
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Acoustics | 5 months 3 weeks ago | |
| You can hack a 6-inch underwater speaker onto a recording unit, and swap it from being speaker to a microphone. They are, on paper, the same thing. That frequency... |
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Acoustics | 6 months ago | |
| Hey Catherine! This post originally linked to an old version of the database - the new version does include WildTrax. I'm a big fan of it :) |
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Acoustics | 6 months ago | |
| Thanks for reaching out.Please send us an email: smithy@kznwildlife.com and david.ehlers.smith@birdlife.org.za and we can have chat. Review and meta-analysis welcome as well as... |
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Acoustics | 6 months ago | |
| Hi Lucille,Thank you for your reply! We’d be really interested in learning more about your developments. We’ll contact you soon to arrange a discussion.Thank you.Best regards,... |
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Acoustics, AI for Conservation, Sensors | 6 months 1 week ago |
