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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!

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Article

Technology lab focused on wildlife protection opens on Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Ol Pejeta Conservancy partners with conservation and technology organisations to kick-start a research and innovation centre for wildlife conservation

31 May 2019

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The 2018 Ecoacoustics Congress Wrap-up

Anthony Truskinger

Last month, the 2018 Ecoacoustics Congress was held in Brisbane. Bringing together scientists, natural resource managers, industry and artists, participants explored the ways that sound can deepen our understanding of...

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Download New Conservation Tech Guidelines: Camera Traps, Acoustics and LiDAR

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Trialing Audiomoth to detect the hidden threats under the canopies of Belize

Andrew Hill and 1 more

Its been a busy couple of months for the Open Acoustic Devices team. They've just returned back from Belize where they have been trialling the new AudioMoth design for gunshot detection. Find out what they've been up to...

27 June 2017

Description	Activity	Replies	Groups	Updated
I WANT TO TELL YOUR STORY	I create ocean exploration and marine life content on YouTube, whether it be recording nautilus on BRUVs, swimming with endangered bowmouth...		Acoustics, AI for Conservation, Animal Movement, Camera Traps, Citizen Science, Drones, Emerging Tech, Marine Conservation, Sensors, Sustainable Fishing Challenges, Wildlife Crime	1 month 2 weeks ago
New Group Proposal: Systems Builders & PACIM Designers	Thank you for your reply, ChadI meant 10 as a whole, indeed. Perhaps you see your post in one group, but since it is tagged for all groups, I assumed you meant 10 in total.In your...		Acoustics, AI for Conservation, Animal Movement, Camera Traps, Citizen Science, Climate Change, Community Base, Connectivity, Drones, eDNA & Genomics, Emerging Tech, Funding and Finance, Geospatial, Human-Wildlife Coexistence, Software Development, Wildlife Crime	1 month 3 weeks ago
WILDLABS AWARDS 2025 - Pioneering Acoustic Tags for Mysterious Hebridean Giants (Basking Sharks)	Hello WILDLABS!We are very excited and grateful to be recipients of one of the WILDLABS 2025.I (Tom Knowles, @TomKnowles) am currently a...		Acoustics, Marine Conservation	2 months ago
Feedback needed for new Tech Concepts	Gina- Sounds like an interesting thesis topic! I work with bioacoustics in offshore waters and I'd be happy to have a chat and provide feedback-- feel free to message me via...		Emerging Tech, Acoustics, Connectivity, Marine Conservation, Sensors	2 months ago
The Locally-led East Asian Flyway Acoustics (LEAFA) Migratory Program; Harnessing emerging technologies to understand the impacts of a changing planet on ecosystem function of migratory birds in the East-Asian Australasian Flyway	As recipients of the WILDLABS AWARDS, our team is proud to lead the Locally-led East Asian Flyway Acoustics (LEAFA)...		Acoustics	2 months ago
Improving the performance of the pippyg static bat detector with a remote microphone	@PhilAtkin Really excited to PippyG available for public. Can't wait to get my hands on these little babies soon.	+15	Acoustics	2 months ago
Feedback New Tech - tracking aquatic biodiversity in offshore windfarms	Hi, My name is Gina. I'm currently working on my Bachelor's Thesis and would like some feedback on my final concept. It is a ...		Acoustics, Emerging Tech, Marine Conservation, Sensors, Women in Conservation Tech Programme (WiCT)	2 months 1 week ago
Any experience using camera traps for wading bird presence?	Hi everyone! I am hoping to gather a little advice from this amazing community. I am a graduate student at Rutgers University and will be...		Camera Traps, Acoustics	2 months 1 week ago
Advice needed for accessible acoustic monitoring	Nev - hi, I'm UK based too and happy to set up a call if I can help? All the best, Carlos		Acoustics	2 months 2 weeks ago
Need advice for running BirdNET on big data	Thank you for the response, I'll look into it.		Acoustics	2 months 2 weeks ago
WILDLABS AWARDS 2025 - Open-Access AI for Marine Mammal Acoustic Detection	We’re excited to announce that Deep Voice has received a 2025 Wildlabs Award to develop a public, web-based platform for marine mammal...		Acoustics, AI for Conservation, Marine Conservation	2 months 2 weeks ago
Field-Ready Bioacoustics System in Field Testing	Hi Ryan, hmm, I had no idea there was a microphone named that. I thought about how it’s used to lure birds for netting, and I like Greek Mythology. I thought it was a perfect fit...		Acoustics, Emerging Tech, Funding and Finance, Protected Area Management Tools, Software Development	4 months 1 week ago