Biodiversity Monitoring : Bioacoustics
Bioacoustics combined with Artificial Intelligence (AI) can revolutionize biodiversity monitoring both on land and in aquatic settings, according to researchers.
- Bioacoustics is a cross-disciplinary science that combines biology and acoustics.
- It refers to the investigation of sound production, dispersion, and reception in animals.
- Bioacoustics research can include approaches whereby scientists focus on specific species and conduct fieldwork to record their vocalisations at close range.
- Alternatively, it may involve the placement of passive acoustic monitors in a set location to record audio data over a longer period of time.
- In terms of conservation research, bioacoustics:
- Allows us to quickly gather in-depth information about ecosystems, including species’ presence (determined by their vocalisations), rain patterns, and human activity.
- Helps us monitor threatened species, examine habitat use and migration patterns, and understand how ecosystems recover from disturbance events like logging or forest fires.
- Provides data to guide conservation planning and support the development of new conservation strategies.
