title: Measuring acoustic habitats.
abstract: 1.Many organisms depend on sound for communication, predator/prey detection and navigation. The acoustic environment can therefore play an important role in ecosystem dynamics and evolution. A growing number of studies are documenting acoustic habitats and their influences on animal development, behaviour, physiology and spatial ecology, which has led to increasing demand for passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) expertise in the life sciences. However, as yet, there has been no synthesis of data processing methods for acoustic habitat monitoring, which presents an unnecessary obstacle to would-be PAM analysts.2.Here, we review the signal processing techniques needed to produce calibrated measurements of terrestrial and aquatic acoustic habitats. We include a supplemental tutorial and template computer codes in matlab and r, which give detailed guidance on how to produce calibrated spectrograms and statistical analyses of sound levels. Key metrics and terminology for the characterisation of biotic, abiotic and anthropogenic sound are covered, and their application to relevant monitoring scenarios is illustrated through example data sets. To inform study design and hardware selection, we also include an up-to-date overview of terrestrial and aquatic PAM instruments.3.Monitoring of acoustic habitats at large spatiotemporal scales is becoming possible through recent advances in PAM technology. This will enhance our understanding of the role of sound in the spatial ecology of acoustically sensitive species and inform spatial planning to mitigate the rising influence of anthropogenic noise in these ecosystems. As we demonstrate in this work, progress in these areas will depend upon the application of consistent and appropriate PAM methodologies.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science (Cefas) Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR33 0HT, UK ; Department of Biology, Syracuse University Syracuse, NY, 13244, USA ; Department of Physics, University of Bath Bath, BA2 7AY, UK.
authors.forename: Nathan D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Merchant
authors.affiliation: Natural Sounds and Night Skies Division, National Park Service Fort Collins, CO, 80525, USA.
authors.forename: Kurt M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Fristrup
authors.affiliation: Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St. Andrews St. Andrews, Fife, KY16 8LB, UK.
authors.forename: Mark P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.affiliation: Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St. Andrews St. Andrews, Fife, KY16 8LB, UK.
authors.forename: Peter L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Tyack
authors.affiliation: Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter Penryn, TR10 9FE, UK.
authors.forename: Matthew J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Witt
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, University of Bath Bath, BA2 7AY, UK.
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Blondel
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Syracuse University Syracuse, NY, 13244, USA.
authors.forename: Susan E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Parks
keywords: acoustic ecology; ambient noise; anthropogenic noise; bioacoustics; ecoacoustics; habitat monitoring; passive acoustic monitoring; remote sensing; soundscape