Shifting song frequencies in response to anthropogenic noise: a meta-analysis on birds and anurans

Roca, I.; Desrochers, Louis; Giacomazzo, Matteo; Bertolo, Andrea; Bolduc, Patricia; Deschesnes, Raphaël; Martin, Claude; Rainville, Vincent; Rheault, Guillaume; Proulx, Raphaël

doi:10.1093/beheco/arw060

Cited by 98 publications

(84 citation statements)

References 56 publications

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“…For instance, of the 40 published field studies reviewed by Brumm & Zollinger () and Roca et al . (), 19 used visual measurements and a further nine did not mention the method used (cf. Brumm & Bee ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The majority of studies on birdsong in noisy environments measured song frequencies visually from spectrograms using, for example, on-screen cursors that are featured in most sound analysis programmes. For instance, of the 40 published field studies reviewed by Brumm & Zollinger (2013) and Roca et al (2016), 19 used visual measurements and a further nine did not mention the method used (cf. Brumm & Bee 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Measurement artefacts lead to false positives in the study of birdsong in noise

et al. 2017

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Summary Numerous studies over the past decade have reported correlations between elevated levels of anthropogenic noise and a rise in the minimum frequency of acoustic signals of animals living in noisy habitats. This pattern appears to be occurring globally, and higher pitched signals have been hypothesized to be adaptive changes that reduce masking by low‐frequency traffic noise. However, the sound analysis methods most often used in these studies are prone to measurement errors that can result in false positives. In addition, the commonly used method of measuring frequencies visually from spectrograms might also lead to observer‐expectancy biases that could exacerbate measurement errors. We conducted an experiment to (i) quantify the size and type of errors that result from ‘eye‐balling’ frequency measurements with cursors placed manually on spectrograms of signals recorded in noise and no‐noise conditions, and (ii) to test whether observer expectations lead to significant errors in frequency measurements. We asked 54 volunteers, blind to the true intention of our study, to visually measure the minimum frequency of a variety of natural and synthesized bird sounds, recorded either in noise, or no‐noise conditions. Test subjects were either informed or uninformed about the hypothesized results of the measurements. Our results demonstrate that inappropriate methodology in acoustic analysis can yield false positives with effect sizes as large, or even larger, than those reported in published studies. In addition to these measurement artefacts, psychological observer biases also led to false positives – when observers expected signals to have higher minimum frequencies in noise, they measured significantly higher minimum frequencies than uninformed observers, who had not been primed with any expectation. The use of improper analysis methods in bioacoustics can lead to the publication of spurious results. We discuss alternative methods that yield unbiased frequency measures and we caution that it is imperative for researchers to familiarize themselves both with the functions and limitations of their sound analysis programmes. In addition, observer‐expectancy biases are a potential source of error not only in the field of bioacoustics, but in any situation where measurements can be influenced by human subjectivity.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Measurement artefacts lead to false positives in the study of birdsong in noise

et al. 2017

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“…Regarding birdsong, studies have shown a general pattern of song modifications that appear in response to noise, such as upshifted frequency (Slabbekoorn and Peet, 2003;Nemeth and Brumm, 2009;Verzijden et al, 2010;Bermúdez-Cuamatzin et al, 2012), increased song amplitude (Cynx et al, 1998;Brumm, 2004;Brumm et al, 2009), modifications in temporal parameters of song (Slabbekoorn and den Boer-Visser, 2006;Díaz et al, 2011;Ríos-Chelén et al, 2013) or changes in the timing of the dawn chorus (Fuller et al, 2007;Arroyo Solís et al, 2013;Dominoni et al, 2016). In many bird species, it has been found that populations living near anthropogenic noise sources sing at higher frequencies, partly avoiding masking (Slabbekoorn and Peet, 2003;Nemeth and Brumm, 2009;Verzijden et al, 2010;Ríos-Chelén et al, 2012;Roca et al, 2016). Also, birds can increase the amplitude of their songs to counteract the detrimental effect of noise, thus improving the signal-to-noise ratio and the distance over which the signal can be perceived (Brumm and Todt, 2002;Brumm, 2004).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

European Blackbirds Exposed to Aircraft Noise Advance Their Chorus, Modify Their Song and Spend More Time Singing

et al. 2017

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Noise pollution has a strong impact on wildlife by disrupting vocal communication or inducing physiological stress. Songbirds are particularly reliant on vocal communication as they use song during territorial and sexual interactions. Birds living in noisy environments have been shown to change the acoustic and temporal parameters of their song presumably to maximize signal transmissibility. Also, research shows that birds advance their dawn chorus in urban environments to avoid the noisiest hours, but little is known on the consequences of these changes in the time they spent singing at dawn. Here we present a comprehensive view of the European blackbird singing behavior living next to a large airport in Madrid, using as a control a population living in a similar but silent forest. Blackbird song is composed of two parts: a series of loud low-frequency whistles (motif) and a final flourish (twitter). We found that airport blackbirds were more likely to sing songs without the twitter part. Also, when songs included a twitter part, airport blackbirds used a smaller proportion of song for the twitter than control blackbirds. Interestingly, our results show no differences in song frequency between airport and control populations. However airport blackbirds not only sang earlier but also increased the time they spent singing when chorus and aircraft traffic overlapped on time. This effect disappeared as the season progressed and the chorus and the aircraft traffic schedule were separated on time. We propose that the typical urban upshift in frequency might not be useful under the noise conditions and landscape structure found near airports. We suggest that the modifications in singing behavior induced by aircraft noise may be adaptive and that they are specific to airport acoustic habitat. Moreover, we found that adjustment of singing activity in relation to noise is plastic and possibly optimized to cope with aircraft traffic activity. In a soundscape characterized by intermittent and strong noise bursts, singing for longer could be more advantageous than modifying frequency parameters, although it is likely more costly.

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“…The consequences of masking for signallers has received considerable research attention, with numerous studies showing that anthropogenic noise can lead to adjustments in the acoustic parameters of vocalisations via behavioural plasticity, ontogenetic changes or adaptation (Slabbekoorn and Ripmeester, 2008;Gross et al, 2010;Luther and Baptista, 2010;Roca et al, 2016). Equally important, but relatively understudied, is the potential disruption to receiver responses (Halfwerk et al, 2012;McMullen et al, 2014;.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Anthropogenic noise alters dwarf mongoose responses to heterospecific alarm calls

Morris-Drake

Bracken

Kern

et al. 2017

Environmental Pollution

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General rightsThis document is made available in accordance with publisher policies. Please cite only the published version using the reference above. (0) 960028260, no fax number Statement of authorshipAll authors contributed to the conception and design of the study; AM and AB collected the data; AM and AB analysed the data with advice from JMK and ANR; ANR and AM wrote the first draft of the manuscript, and all authors contributed significantly to revisions. 2Anthropogenic noise is an evolutionarily novel and widespread pollutant in both terrestrial and aquatic habitats. Despite increasing evidence that the additional noise generated by human activities can affect vocal communication, the majority of research has focused on the use of conspecific acoustic information, especially sexual signals.Many animals are known to eavesdrop on the alarm calls produced by other species, enhancing their likelihood of avoiding predation, but how this use of heterospecific information is affected by anthropogenic noise has received little empirical attention.Here, we use two field-based playback experiments on a habituated wild population of dwarf mongooses (Helogale parvula) to determine how anthropogenic noise influences the response of foragers to heterospecific alarm calls. We begin by demonstrating that dwarf mongooses respond appropriately to the alarm calls of sympatric chacma baboons (Papio ursinus) and tree squirrels (Paraxerus cepapi); fleeing only to the latter.We then show that mongoose foragers are less likely to exhibit this flee response to tree squirrel alarm calls during road-noise playback compared to ambient-sound playback.One explanation for the change in response is that noise-induced distraction or stress result in maladaptive behaviour. However, further analysis revealed that road-noise playback results in increased vigilance and that mongooses showing the greatest vigilance increase are those that do not subsequently exhibit a flee response to the alarm call. These individuals may therefore be acting appropriately: if the greater gathering of personal information indicates the absence of an actual predator despite an alarm call, the need to undertake costly fleeing behaviour can be avoided. Either way, our study indicates the potential for anthropogenic noise to interfere with the use of acoustic information from other species, and suggests the importance of considering how heterospecific networks are affected by this global pollutant.Capsule: Anthropogenic noise reduces the likelihood of fleeing to a heterospecific alarm call.3

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Shifting song frequencies in response to anthropogenic noise: a meta-analysis on birds and anurans

Cited by 98 publications

References 56 publications

Measurement artefacts lead to false positives in the study of birdsong in noise

Measurement artefacts lead to false positives in the study of birdsong in noise

European Blackbirds Exposed to Aircraft Noise Advance Their Chorus, Modify Their Song and Spend More Time Singing

Anthropogenic noise alters dwarf mongoose responses to heterospecific alarm calls

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