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

Methods in Ecology and Evolution, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 14(9), С. 2192 - 2204

Опубликована: Авг. 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.

Язык: Английский

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Worldwide Soundscapes: A Synthesis of Passive Acoustic Monitoring Across Realms

Global Ecology and Biogeography, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 34(5)

Опубликована: Май 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Aim The urgency for remote, reliable and scalable biodiversity monitoring amidst mounting human pressures on ecosystems has sparked worldwide interest in Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM), which can track life underwater land. However, we lack a unified methodology to report this sampling effort comprehensive overview of PAM coverage gauge its potential as global research tool. To address gap, created the Worldwide Soundscapes project, collaborative network growing database comprising metadata from 416 datasets across all realms (terrestrial, marine, freshwater subterranean). Location Worldwide, 12,343 sites, ecosystem types. Time Period 1991 present. Major Taxa Studied All soniferous taxa. Methods We synthesise spatial, temporal ecological scales using describing locations, deployment schedules, focal taxa audio recording parameters. explore trends biological, anthropogenic geophysical sounds based 168 selected recordings 12 realms. Results Terrestrial is spatially denser (46 sites per million square kilometre—Mkm 2 ) than aquatic (0.3 1.8 sites/Mkm oceans fresh water) with only two subterranean datasets. Although diel lunar cycles are well sampled realms, marine (55%) comprehensively sample seasons. Across exploring acoustic trends, biological showed contrasting patterns ecosystems, declined distance Equator, were negatively correlated sounds. Main Conclusions inform macroecological studies conservation phenology syntheses, but representation be improved by expanding terrestrial taxonomic scope, high seas spatio‐temporal replication habitats. Overall, holds promise support cross‐realm efforts.

Язык: Английский

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Worldwide Soundscapes: a synthesis of passive acoustic monitoring across realms

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Год журнала: 2024, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Апрель 14, 2024

Abstract The urgency for remote, reliable, and scalable biodiversity monitoring amidst mounting human pressures on climate ecosystems has sparked worldwide interest in Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM), but there been no comprehensive overview of its coverage across realms. We present metadata from 358 datasets recorded since 1991 above land water constituting the first global synthesis sampling spatial, temporal, ecological scales. compiled summary statistics (sampling locations, deployment schedules, focal taxa, recording parameters) used eleven case studies to assess trends biological, anthropogenic, geophysical sounds. Terrestrial is spatially denser (42 sites/M·km 2 ) than aquatic (0.2 1.3 oceans freshwater) with only one subterranean dataset. Although diel lunar cycles are well-covered all realms, marine (65%) comprehensively sample seasons. Across biological sounds show contrasting activity, while declining distance equator anthropogenic activity. PAM can thus inform phenology, macroecology, conservation studies, representation be improved by widening terrestrial taxonomic breadth, expanding high seas, increasing spatio-temporal replication freshwater habitats. Overall, shows considerable promise support efforts.

Язык: Английский

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Vibroscape analysis reveals acoustic niche overlap and plastic alteration of vibratory courtship signals in ground-dwelling wolf spiders

Communications Biology, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 7(1)

Опубликована: Янв. 5, 2024

To expand the scope of soundscape ecology to encompass substrate-borne vibrations (i.e. vibroscapes), we analyzed vibroscape a deciduous forest floor using contact microphone arrays followed by automated processing large audio datasets. We then focused on vibratory signaling ground-dwelling Schizocosa wolf spiders test for (i) acoustic niche partitioning and (ii) plastic behavioral responses that might reduce risk signal interference from noise conspecific/heterospecific signaling. Two closely related species - S. stridulans uetzi showed high overlap across space, time, dominant frequency. Both show males shorten their courtship in higher abundance noise, increased duration signals conspecific signals, decreased complexity signals.

Язык: Английский

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When birds sing at the same pitch, they avoid singing at the same time

Ibis, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 165(3), С. 1047 - 1053

Опубликована: Март 7, 2023

Birds singing in choruses must contend with the possibility of interfering each other's songs, but not all species will interfere other to same extent due signal partitioning. Some evidence suggests that birds avoid temporal overlap only cases where there is frequencies their songs occupy, which this behaviour varies according level frequency yet well understood. We investigated hypothesis increasingly heterospecific as increases by testing for a linear correlation between and avoidance across community temperate eastern North American birds. found was significant whole within 12 15 commonly occurring individual species, supports our adds growing body adjust timing response overlap.

Язык: Английский

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Contrasting morphological and acoustic trait spaces suggest distinct participant benefits in mixed-species bird flocks

Animal Behaviour, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown, С. 123058 - 123058

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2025

Язык: Английский

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Thrush nightingales adjust the peak frequency and structure of their songs in response to different types of experimental noise

Scientific Reports, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 15(1)

Опубликована: Янв. 21, 2025

Abstract Animals employ various strategies to minimize the overlap of their vocalizations with other sounds, thereby enhancing effectiveness communication. However, little attention has been given experimentally examining how structure acoustic signal changes in response kinds disturbances soundscape. In this study, I investigated whether male thrush nightingales ( Luscinia luscinia ) adjust singing rate, song frequency, and type different types artificial sounds. While males did not reduce intensity noise, they peak frequency songs—raising it presence low-frequency noise lowering high-frequency noise. These bidirectional were associated selective use phrases from repertoire. The proportion low- was significantly reduced under increased results suggest that disturbing sounds can modify songbird vocalizations, at least short term. Birds may enhance signal-to-noise ratio by selecting repertoire are less affected For species a large repertoire, new transmitted within species-specific range play an important role process cultural transmission.

Язык: Английский

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Exploring the relationships between soundscape quality and public health using a systems thinking approach

Опубликована: Фев. 12, 2025

Язык: Английский

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Acoustic Niche Partitioning in a Bird Assembly in Caatinga, Northeastern Brazil

Austral Ecology, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 50(2)

Опубликована: Фев. 1, 2025

ABSTRACT We investigated vocal adjustment andacoustic niche partitioning in a bird assemblage the Caatinga based on Acoustic Niche Hypothesis and Species Recognition Hypothesis. conducted 72 recordings of 3‐min duration along two transects 1 km length, between July 2022 February 2023. Each transect was divided into six points, spaced 200 m apart. analysed spectral temporal overlap (Pianka index) 15 vocally dominant species tested significance using null models 1000 repetitions Randomization Algorithm 3. Phylogenetic distances were estimated from 2500 phylogenies to assess their correlation with acoustic overlap, Generalised Linear Models partial Mantel test. Twenty‐five pairs exhibited high (> 0.6), whereas all showed low (< 0.4). The analysis suggested that observed (0.322) lower than expected by chance (0.261), indicating significant difference [Standardised Effect Size (SES) = 7.162, p < 1]. values, (0.097) being slightly (0.111), but no (SES −6.752, > 1). Our results revealed (Estimate −0.0059, t −0.286, 0.766) or phylogenetic distance −0.0001, −0.966, 0.336) 0.00002, 0.125, 0.901) overlap. There also controlled ( r −0.02712, 0.553). evidence negative association among species. relationships did not explain patterns. Therefore, it is possible avoidance actively occurs regardless other factors, such as

Язык: Английский

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Spatial Overlap and Behavioral Interactions Among Four Habronattus Jumping Spider Species in a Mixed‐Species Assemblage

Ecology and Evolution, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 15(4)

Опубликована: Март 30, 2025

ABSTRACT Within mixed‐species assemblages, closely related species may face interspecific competition and reproductive interference. Species evolve adaptations to outcompete or coexist, though most assemblages likely exist in a nonequilibrium state between the two extremes. Understanding dynamics potentially syntopic requires careful studies conducted at fine spatial resolution, an especially important consideration for small invertebrate animals. We characterized interactions within assemblage consisting of four Habronattus jumping spiders, genus that can be found where males are known indiscriminately court conspecific heterospecific females alike. Through detailed focal observations, we evaluated how overlap their occurrence, temporal light environment, movement level, behavioral interactions, including courtship. assessed whether observed occurred more frequently than random chance by comparing data network reference models. Our findings revealed overlaps across all variables, which indicate shared environmental requirements amongst potential However, there was notable shift H. calcaratus coecatus . decorus showed some divergence occurrence environment phylogenetic signal associated with its distinct courtship display. Additionally, sex differences levels could represent selection male “scramble competition” strategy. Lastly, courtship, were but less often chance, as represented Altogether, our suggest individuals this engaged level interference, mechanisms mitigate these pressures. This study establishes ecological foundation investigate possible adaptive responses assemblage, such character displacement sensory drive.

Язык: Английский

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