Passive acoustic monitoring provides a fresh perspective on fundamental ecological questions

Functional Ecology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 37(4), P. 959 - 975

Published: Jan. 20, 2023

Abstract Passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) has emerged as a transformative tool for applied ecology, conservation and biodiversity monitoring, but its potential contribution to fundamental ecology is less often discussed, PAM studies tend be descriptive, rather than mechanistic. Here, we chart the most promising directions ecologists wishing use suite of currently available methods address long‐standing questions in explore new avenues research. In both terrestrial aquatic habitats, provides an opportunity ask across multiple spatial scales at fine temporal resolution, capture phenomena or species that are difficult observe. combination with traditional approaches data collection, could release from myriad limitations have, times, precluded mechanistic understanding. We discuss several case demonstrate estimation, population trend analysis, assessing climate change impacts on phenology distribution, understanding disturbance recovery dynamics. also highlight what horizon PAM, terms near‐future technological methodological developments have provide advances coming years. Overall, illustrate how can harness power ecological era no longer characterised by limitation. Read free Plain Language Summary this article Journal blog.

Language: Английский

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Using acoustic indices in ecology: Guidance on study design, analyses and interpretation

Methods in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 14(9), P. 2192 - 2204

Published: Aug. 10, 2023

Abstract The rise of passive acoustic monitoring and the rapid growth in large audio datasets is driving development analysis methods that allow ecological inferences to be drawn from data. Acoustic indices are currently one most widely applied tools ecoacoustics. These numerical summaries sound energy contained digital recordings relatively straightforward fast calculate but can challenging interpret. Misapplication misinterpretation have produced conflicting results led some question their value. To encourage better use indices, we provide nine points guidance support good study design, interpretation. We offer practical recommendations for both whole soundscapes individual taxa species, point emerging trends ecoacoustic analysis. In particular, highlight critical importance understanding links between soundscape patterns indices. insights into state organisms, populations, ecosystems, complementing other research techniques. Judicious selection, appropriate application thorough interpretation existing vital bolster robust developments ecoacoustics biodiversity monitoring, conservation future research.

Language: Английский

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Limits to the accurate and generalizable use of soundscapes to monitor biodiversity

Nature Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 7(9), P. 1373 - 1378

Published: July 31, 2023

Abstract Although eco-acoustic monitoring has the potential to deliver biodiversity insight on vast scales, existing analytical approaches behave unpredictably across studies. We collated 8,023 audio recordings with paired manual avifaunal point counts investigate whether soundscapes could be used monitor diverse ecosystems. found that neither univariate indices nor machine learning models were predictive of species richness datasets but soundscape change was consistently indicative community change. Our findings indicate there are no common features biodiverse and should cautiously in conjunction more reliable in-person ecological surveys.

Language: Английский

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Soundscapes and deep learning enable tracking biodiversity recovery in tropical forests

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 14(1)

Published: Oct. 17, 2023

Tropical forest recovery is fundamental to addressing the intertwined climate and biodiversity loss crises. While regenerating trees sequester carbon relatively quickly, pace of remains contentious. Here, we use bioacoustics metabarcoding measure post-agriculture in a global hotspot Ecuador. We show that community composition, not species richness, vocalizing vertebrates identified by experts reflects restoration gradient. Two automated measures - an acoustic index model bird composition derived from independently developed Convolutional Neural Network correlated well with (adj-R² = 0.62 0.69, respectively). Importantly, both reflected non-vocalizing nocturnal insects via metabarcoding. such monitoring tools, based on new technologies, can effectively monitor success recovery, using robust reproducible data.

Language: Английский

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Effectiveness of acoustic indices as indicators of vertebrate biodiversity

Ecological Indicators, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 147, P. 109937 - 109937

Published: Jan. 25, 2023

Effective monitoring tools are key for tracking biodiversity loss and informing management intervention strategies. Passive acoustic promises to provide a cheap effective way monitor across large spatial temporal scales, however, extracting useful information from long-duration audio recordings still proves challenging. Recently, range of indices have been developed, which capture different aspects the soundscape, may estimate traditional measures. Here we investigated relationship between 13 obtained passive estimates various vertebrate taxonomic groupings manual surveys at six sites spanning over 20 degrees latitude along Australian east coast. We found number individual that correlated well with species richness, Shannon's diversity index, total count survey methods. Correlations were typically greater avian than anuran non-avian biodiversity. Acoustic also better richness index. Random forest models incorporating multiple provided more accurate predictions single alone. Out tested, cluster count, mid-frequency cover spectral density contributed greatest predictive ability models. Our results suggest could be tool certain groups. Further work is required understand how site-specific variables can incorporated into improve capabilities taxa besides avians, particularly anurans.

Language: Английский

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The effect of latitude on the efficacy of acoustic indices to predict biodiversity: A meta-analysis

Ecological Indicators, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 159, P. 111747 - 111747

Published: Feb. 1, 2024

The increasing biodiversity loss worldwide has resulted in a growing need for cost-effective, efficient tools to monitor over large spatial and temporal scales. idea of using acoustic indices soniferous animal communities is becoming increasingly popular. Dozens have been proposed the last 15 years measure complexity as proxy biodiversity. However, we still lack sufficient evaluation indices' power predict biodiversity, factors modulating their efficacy. Here, extend recent meta-analysis on conducted by Alcocer et al. (2022; Biological Reviews) dataset studies 1.5 times adding an important variable: latitude. Latitude strongly connected species diversity, it previously postulated that may be unable fully reflect high diversity tropics, due limitations related phylogenetic inertia (i.e., closely sounding similar) interference between species, with masking insects being particularly common. Using total 524 effect sizes from 49 studies, found moderate positive correlation (r = 0.32, 95 % CI [0.20, 0.43]), similar finding (2022). Of five moderator variables, latitude was second most after type index, higher showing greater predictive power. When testing separately only moderator, four seven (ACI, AR, BIO, NDSI) were significantly influenced Future work should investigate mechanisms which influences For now, can conclude whatever are driving underestimate tropical forests, influence evident even when measuring different ways indices.

Language: Английский

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The limits of acoustic indices

Nature Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 8(4), P. 606 - 607

Published: Feb. 14, 2024

Language: Английский

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Advancements in preprocessing, detection and classification techniques for ecoacoustic data: A comprehensive review for large-scale Passive Acoustic Monitoring

Expert Systems with Applications, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 252, P. 124220 - 124220

Published: May 16, 2024

Computational ecoacoustics has seen significant growth in recent decades, facilitated by the reduced costs of digital sound recording devices and data storage. This progress enabled continuous monitoring vocal fauna through Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM), a technique used to record analyse environmental sounds study animal behaviours their habitats. While collection ecoacoustic become more accessible, effective analysis this information understand monitor populations remains major challenge. survey paper presents state-of-the-art approaches, with focus on applicability large-scale PAM. We emphasise importance PAM, as it enables extensive geographical coverage monitoring, crucial for comprehensive biodiversity assessment understanding ecological dynamics over wide areas diverse approach is particularly vital face rapid changes, provides insights into effects these changes broad array species ecosystems. As such, we outline most challenging tasks, including pre-processing, visualisation, labelling, detection, classification. Each evaluated according its strengths, weaknesses overall suitability recommendations are made future research directions.

Language: Английский

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The Acoustic Index User's Guide: A practical manual for defining, generating and understanding current and future acoustic indices

Methods in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: May 28, 2024

Abstract Ecoacoustics, the study of environmental sound, is a rapidly growing discipline offering ecological insights at scales ranging from individual organisms to whole ecosystems. Substantial methodological developments over last 15 years have streamlined extraction information audio recordings. One widely used set methods are acoustic indices, which offer numerical summaries spectral, temporal and amplitude patterns in Currently, specifics each index's background, methodology soundscape they designed summarise, spread across multiple sources. Critically, details index calculation sometimes scarce, making it challenging for users understand how values generated. Discrepancies understanding can lead misuse indices or reporting spurious results. This hinders inference, replicability discourages adoption these tools conservation ecosystem monitoring, where might otherwise provide useful insight. Here we present Acoustic Index User's Guide—an interactive RShiny web app that defines deconstructs eight most commonly facilitate consistent application discipline. We break calculations down into easy‐to‐follow steps better enable practical critical interpretation indices. demonstrate typical using suite 91 example recordings: 66 real‐world soundscapes terrestrial, aquatic subterranean systems around world, 25 synthetic files demonstrating archetypal patterns. Our figures signpost specific likely be reflected indices' values. living resource; additional will added future through collaboration with authors pre‐existing new The also serves as best‐practice template required when publishing so widest possible uptake their In turn, improved aid effective hypothesis generation, research, monitoring management.

Language: Английский

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The combined effectiveness of acoustic indices in measuring bird species richness in biodiverse sites in Cyprus, China, and Australia

Ecological Indicators, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 170, P. 113105 - 113105

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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