Characterizing anthropogenic noise to improve understanding and management of impacts to wildlife

McKenna, Megan F.; Shannon, Graeme; Fristrup, Kurt M.

doi:10.3354/esr00760

Cited by 35 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 58 publications

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“…We also excluded indices that required processing waveform because all our data were processed into 1‐s one‐third octave band spectra (McKenna et al. ). We calculated indices for each calibrated acoustic sample corresponding to the sample for which we assessed the diversity of biological sounds.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Efficacy of extracting indices from large‐scale acoustic recordings to monitor biodiversity

Buxton

McKenna

Clapp

et al. 2018

Conservation Biology

147

133

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Passive acoustic monitoring could be a powerful way to assess biodiversity across large spatial and temporal scales. However, extracting meaningful information from recordings can be prohibitively time consuming. Acoustic indices (i.e., a mathematical summary of acoustic energy) offer a relatively rapid method for processing acoustic data and are increasingly used to characterize biological communities. We examined the relationship between acoustic indices and the diversity and abundance of biological sounds in recordings. We reviewed the acoustic-index literature and found that over 60 indices have been applied to a range of objectives with varying success. We used 36 of the most indicative indices to develop a predictive model of the diversity of animal sounds in recordings. Acoustic data were collected at 43 sites in temperate terrestrial and tropical marine habitats across the continental United States. For terrestrial recordings, random-forest models with a suite of acoustic indices as covariates predicted Shannon diversity, richness, and total number of biological sounds with high accuracy (R ≥ 0.94, mean squared error [MSE] ≤170.2). Among the indices assessed, roughness, acoustic activity, and acoustic richness contributed most to the predictive ability of models. Performance of index models was negatively affected by insect, weather, and anthropogenic sounds. For marine recordings, random-forest models poorly predicted Shannon diversity, richness, and total number of biological sounds (R ≤ 0.40, MSE ≥ 195). Our results suggest that using a combination of relevant acoustic indices in a flexible model can accurately predict the diversity of biological sounds in temperate terrestrial acoustic recordings. Thus, acoustic approaches could be an important contribution to biodiversity monitoring in some habitats.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Efficacy of extracting indices from large‐scale acoustic recordings to monitor biodiversity

Buxton

McKenna

Clapp

et al. 2018

Conservation Biology

147

133

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The equivalent continuous time‐averaged sound level ( L eq ) is an amplitude metric commonly used in terrestrial studies to describe SPL that vary over time (McKenna et al. ). L eq is a measure of average energy and thus is a better representation of the acoustic environment than a single decibel value.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Sixty-second A-weighted equivalent continuouslevel values (L Aeq ) were calculated using the 1-s L Aeq values by taking the mean of the pressures and converting back to the dB scale. The equivalent continuous time-averaged sound level (L eq ) is an amplitude metric commonly used in terrestrial studies to describe SPL that vary over time (McKenna et al 2016). L eq is a measure of average energy and thus is a better representation of the acoustic environment than a single decibel value.…”

Section: Experimental Noise Broadcastsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Immediate signaling flexibility in response to experimental noise in urban, but not rural, white‐crowned sparrows

et al. 2017

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Abstract. Background noise can interfere with acoustic communication. Signal modifications have the potential to increase signal-to-noise ratios and reduce the masking effect of noise. Immediate signaling flexibility, a type of vocal plasticity, allows animals to modify their signal to optimize transmission depending on ambient noise conditions. Results from previous studies provide conflicting evidence about whether expression of immediate signaling flexibility is dependent upon the signaler having prior experience with noisy environments. To improve our understanding of vocal plasticity, we examined immediate signaling flexibility in white-crowned sparrows Zonotrichia leucophrys nuttalli in urban and rural locations. We experimentally broadcast noise with three different spectral profiles-city (low frequency), inverse of city (high frequency), and white (equal intensity at all frequencies)-successfully to 107 males and measured multiple features of songs produced prior to and during the experiment. We predicted that all males would adjust their song structure during the noise broadcast, but that the extent of plasticity would be greater in noisier territories and the manner of adjustment would depend on the type of experimental noise broadcast. Instead, we found that only urban males exhibit immediate signaling flexibility, through which bandwidth decreases in response to experimental noise. Signal modification did not change with type of noise broadcast or territory background noise. Although songs were less flexible than predicted, the relative reduction in signal bandwidth in urban birds could improve their signal-to-noise ratio during the noise broadcast.

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“…In tandem, given how acoustically dependent these species are, consideration should be given to understanding the impacts of anthropogenic sound (McKenna et al, 2016).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Abundance estimate of the Amazon River dolphin (Inia geoffrensis) and the tucuxi (Sotalia fluviatilis) in southern Ucayali, Peru

Campbell¹,

Alfaro‐Shigueto²,

Godley³

et al. 2017

lajar

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ABSTRACT. We present results of the first simultaneous visual and acoustic surveys for Amazon River dolphins (Inia geoffrensis) and tucuxi (Sotalia fluviatilis), undertaken in Yarinacocha Lagoon, Ucayali, Peru (length = 20 km, area = 12 km 2 ). A total of 324 Sotalia observations and 44 Inia observations were recorded in boat-based transects. Based upon total survey effort, we estimated Sotalia had a mean density ± SE of 1.98 ± 4.6 ind km -2 and an overall abundance of 34 individuals (95% CI: 28 to 40). Average density for Inia was 0.2 ± 1.2 ind km -2 with overall abundance estimated at 3 individuals (95% CI: 0 to 8). Visual surveys observed more Sotalia individuals during earlier hours of the day and during the dry season. Preliminary acoustic surveys undertaken with C-POD passive acoustic monitoring devices indicated a diel pattern in detections of cetacean vocalization with more diurnal activity and with detections ceasing from midnight until 10:00 AM. This work highlights the possibility of monitoring both river dolphin species through visual and acoustic surveys to generate baseline information on abundance trends and distribution patterns in the Ucayali region, an area with high levels of human disturbance.

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Characterizing anthropogenic noise to improve understanding and management of impacts to wildlife

Cited by 35 publications

References 58 publications

Efficacy of extracting indices from large‐scale acoustic recordings to monitor biodiversity

Efficacy of extracting indices from large‐scale acoustic recordings to monitor biodiversity

Immediate signaling flexibility in response to experimental noise in urban, but not rural, white‐crowned sparrows

Abundance estimate of the Amazon River dolphin (Inia geoffrensis) and the tucuxi (Sotalia fluviatilis) in southern Ucayali, Peru

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