Estimating population size for California spotted owls and barred owls across the Sierra Nevada ecosystem with bioacoustics

Ecological Indicators, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 154, С. 110851 - 110851

Опубликована: Авг. 27, 2023

Monitoring population size at ecosystem scales is difficult for most species of conservation concern. While assessing site occupancy broad has proven feasible, rigorous tracking changes in over time not – even though it can provide a stronger basis status and conservation-decision making. Therefore, we demonstrate how relatively low-intensity, ecosystem-scale passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) be linked to local-density estimate the native California spotted owls (Strix occidentalis occidentalis) invasive barred (S. varia) across western Sierra Nevada, California. Based on PAM sampling grid with 400 ha cells (the approximate home range these species), estimated between 0.42 (SE = 0.02) 0.30 using liberal strict criteria, respectively, considering cell occupied. PAM-based estimates within local-scale density study areas (range 0.41–0.78 0.28–0.76 respectively) were strongly positively correlated local 0.08–0.31 owl/km2) this species. In contrast, ecosystem-wide was very low based (0.034, SE < 0.01), as densities studies 0–0.005 owls/km2). By scaling studies, that, depending 2,218 278) or 2,328 489) occurred Nevada 2021. Thus, while are rare subspecies, they well-distributed Nevada. Because there so few owl detections, could abundance, which reflects success prior experimental removals region. conclusion, our provides generalizable framework estimating territorial when available. that approach novel valuable insights into populations aid conservation.

Язык: Английский

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An integrated passive acoustic monitoring and deep learning pipeline for black‐and‐white ruffed lemurs (Varecia variegata) in Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar

American Journal of Primatology, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 86(4)

Опубликована: Янв. 20, 2024

The urgent need for effective wildlife monitoring solutions in the face of global biodiversity loss has resulted emergence conservation technologies such as passive acoustic (PAM). While PAM been extensively used marine mammals, birds, and bats, its application to primates is limited. Black-and-white ruffed lemurs (Varecia variegata) are a promising species test with due their distinctive loud roar-shrieks. Furthermore, these challenging monitor via traditional methods fragmented often unpredictable distribution Madagascar's dense eastern rainforests. Our goal this study was develop machine learning pipeline automated call detection from data, compare effectiveness versus in-person observations, investigate diel patterns lemur vocal behavior. We did at Mangevo, Ranomafana National Park by concurrently conducting focal follows deploying autonomous recorders May-July 2019. transfer build convolutional neural network (optimized recall) that calls (57-h runtime; recall = 0.94, F1 0.70). found outperformed saving time, money, labor while also providing re-analyzable data. Using yielded novel insights into V. variegata patterns; we present first published evidence nocturnal calling. developed graphic user interface open-sourced data code, serve resource primatologists interested implementing learning. By leveraging potential pipeline, can address primate population surveys inform strategies.

Язык: Английский

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Passive acoustic monitoring and convolutional neural networks facilitate high-resolution and broadscale monitoring of a threatened species

Ecological Indicators, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 162, С. 112016 - 112016

Опубликована: Апрель 13, 2024

Population monitoring is an essential component of biodiversity conservation and management, but low detection probabilities for rare and/or cryptic species makes estimating abundance occupancy challenging. Passive acoustic combined with machine learning algorithms represents a potential path forward to effectively efficiently monitor the occurrence vocalizing across entire forest landscapes. Our objectives were develop implement convolutional neural network (PNW-Cnet) identify vocalizations threatened nesting bird – marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) in Pacific Northwest, U.S.A., 2018–2021. We used PNW-Cnet predictions from broadscale passive data examine spatiotemporal patterns distribution murrelets. showed sufficiently high prediction accuracy (overall precision > 0.9) enable population monitoring. Spatiotemporal analysis that annual peak call occurs ordinal weeks 28–32 (late July–Mid August) this varied by study area. The greatest number detections typically occurred Olympic Peninsula Oregon Coast Range where late-successional dominates nearer ocean habitats. demonstrate can be understand intensity use broad scales addition typical detection/non-detection are often collected. offers considerable promise modeling long-term species.

Язык: Английский

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Evaluating the predictors of habitat use and successful reproduction in a model bird species using a large‐scale automated acoustic array

Ecography, Год журнала: 2024, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Май 15, 2024

The emergence of continental to global scale biodiversity data has led growing understanding patterns in species distributions, and the determinants these at large spatial scales. However, identifying specific mechanisms, including demographic processes, determining distributions remains difficult, as large‐scale are typically restricted observations only presence. New remote automated approaches for collecting data, such recording units (ARUs), provide a promising avenue towards direct measurement reproduction, that cannot feasibly be measured by traditional survey methods. In this study, we analyze collected ARUs from 452 points across an approximately 1500 km long study region compare adult juvenile great horned owl Bubo virginianus . We specifically examine whether habitat associated with successful reproduction is same postulated congruence between two would suggest all areas species' range contribute equally maintenance population, whereas significant differences more specificity requirements reproduction. filtered calls manual review using classification constructed single season occupancy models land cover vegetation covariates which significantly predicted presence each life stage. found use adults was increasing amounts forest cover, reduced basal area, lower elevations; decreasing pattern opposite adults. These results show owls not sufficient proxy locations occurs, also demonstrate highly scalable workflow could used similar analyses other sound‐producing species.

Язык: Английский

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Passive acoustic monitoring indicates Barred Owls are established in northern coastal California and management intervention is warranted

Ornithological Applications, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 125(3)

Опубликована: Май 25, 2023

Abstract Barred Owls (Strix varia) have recently expanded westward from eastern North America, contributing to substantial declines in Northern Spotted occidentalis caurina). Passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) represents a potentially powerful approach for tracking range expansions like the Owl’s, but further methods development is needed ensure that PAM-informed occupancy models meaningfully reflect population processes. Focusing on leading edge of Owl expansion coastal California, we used combination PAM data, GPS-tagging, and active surveys (1) estimate breeding home size, (2) identify patterns vocal activity resident occupancy, (3) rates. Mean season size (452 ha) was reasonably consistent with cells (400 sampled autonomous recording units (ARUs). Nevertheless, false-positive detections frequently occurred within not containing an center such site estimates derived using all detected vocalizations (0.61) were unlikely be representative occupancy. However, proportion survey nights confirmed (VN) number ARUs sampling cell (VU) indicative residency. Moreover, false positive error rate could reduced analyses by establishing thresholds VN VU define detections, although doing so increased negative rates some cases. Using different VU, estimated 0.29–0.44, which indicates become established region also timely lethal removals still help prevent extirpation Owls. Our findings provide scalable framework populations throughout their and, more broadly, basis converting programs.

Язык: Английский

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PNW-Cnet v4: Automated species identification for passive acoustic monitoring

SoftwareX, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 23, С. 101473 - 101473

Опубликована: Июль 1, 2023

We present PNW-Cnet v4, a deep neural net with an associated Shiny-based application designed to facilitate efficient data processing detect terrestrial wildlife species through passive acoustic monitoring. v4 is convolutional network that detects audio signatures of 37 focal birds and mammals inhabit forests the Pacific Northwest, USA, along other commonly occurring forest sounds. The primary objective developing was support long-term northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) monitoring program. By incorporating additional classes, expands applicability program broadscale biodiversity research Using Shiny app users can process using graphical user interface, summarize apparent detections visually, export results in tabular format.

Язык: Английский

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Anthropogenic noise in terrestrial Antarctica: a short review of background information, challenges and opportunities

Polar Research, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 43

Опубликована: Апрель 16, 2024

Anthropogenic noise is an inevitable by-product of human activities. However, the potential effects on terrestrial Antarctica’s ecosystems have been understudied. Documented impacts encompass stress, alterations in behavioural patterns, auditory masking, and, severe instances, mortality. This Perspective note aims to call attention human-generated as sources impact Antarctic wildlife and highlight soundscape analysis a flexible, cost-effective tool for environmental monitoring across Antarctica, complementing other non-invasive approaches. Acoustic environments has extensively used different parts world assess biodiversity, monitor populations’ status trends, identify anthropogenic disturbance. Technological advances passive acoustic allow gathering detailed information with little need attention, powerful processing tools algorithms enable researchers analyse large collections audio data. Cold climates limit battery-operated instruments, but solar panels summer trials revealed over 100 days unattended operation, which promising incorporation management toolbox.

Язык: Английский

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Anthropogenic noise in terrestrial Antarctica: a short review of background information, challenges and opportunities

Polar Research, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 45

Опубликована: Апрель 16, 2024

Anthropogenic noise is an inevitable by-product of human activities. However, the potential effects on terrestrial Antarctica's ecosystems have been understudied. Documented impacts encompass stress, alterations in behavioural patterns, auditory masking, and, severe instances, mortality. This Perspective note aims to call attention human-generated as sources impact Antarctic wildlife and highlight soundscape analysis a flexible, cost-effective tool for environmental monitoring across Antarctica, complementing other non-invasive approaches. Acoustic environments has extensively used different parts world assess biodiversity, monitor populations' status trends, identify anthropogenic disturbance. Technological advances passive acoustic allow gathering detailed information with little need attention, powerful processing tools algorithms enable researchers analyse large collections audio data. Cold climates limit battery-operated instruments, but solar panels summer trials revealed over 100 days unattended operation, which promising incorporation management toolbox.

Язык: Английский

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Bayesian networks facilitate updating of species distribution and habitat suitability models

Ecological Modelling, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 501, С. 110982 - 110982

Опубликована: Дек. 6, 2024

Язык: Английский

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Using bioacoustics to enhance the efficiency of spotted owl surveys and facilitate forest restoration

Journal of Wildlife Management, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 88(2)

Опубликована: Дек. 18, 2023

Abstract The California spotted owl ( Strix occidentalis ) is an older‐forest associated species that resides at the center of forest management planning in Sierra Nevada and Southern California, USA, which are experiencing increasingly large severe wildfires drought‐related tree mortality. We leveraged advances passive acoustic survey technologies to develop acoustically assisted design could increase efficiency effectiveness project‐level surveys for owls, allowing be completed a single year instead multiple years. deployed array autonomous recording units (ARUs) across landscape identified vocalizations resulting audio using BirdNET. then evaluated spatio‐temporal patterns near occupied territories ability crew naïve location locate owls based on detections. After only 3 weeks surveys, ≥1 ARU within 750 m all 17 obtained detections ≥2 nights. When active broadcast calling were conducted ARUs with by surveyors territory occupancy status locations, located 93% 100% ≤3 surveys. To further improve we developed statistical model identify prioritize areas different methods (active only, assisted, no surveys) expected probability predicted from remotely sensed measurements height historical occupancy. Depending managers' tolerance false negatives, this help might not benefit low probabilities where enhance efficiency. Collectively, these findings can managers streamline process thus pace restoration while minimizing potential near‐term adverse effects owls.

Язык: Английский

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