1
|
Boucher AJ, Weladji RB, Holand Ø, Kumpula J. Modelling reindeer rut activity using on-animal acoustic recorders and machine learning. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e11479. [PMID: 38932958 PMCID: PMC11199844 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
For decades, researchers have employed sound to study the biology of wildlife, with the aim to better understand their ecology and behaviour. By utilizing on-animal recorders to capture audio from freely moving animals, scientists can decipher the vocalizations and glean insights into their behaviour and ecosystem dynamics through advanced signal processing. However, the laborious task of sorting through extensive audio recordings has been a major bottleneck. To expedite this process, researchers have turned to machine learning techniques, specifically neural networks, to streamline the analysis of data. Nevertheless, much of the existing research has focused predominantly on stationary recording devices, overlooking the potential benefits of employing on-animal recorders in conjunction with machine learning. To showcase the synergy of on-animal recorders and machine learning, we conducted a study at the Kutuharju research station in Kaamanen, Finland, where the vocalizations of rutting reindeer were recorded during their mating season. By attaching recorders to seven male reindeer during the rutting periods of 2019 and 2020, we trained convolutional neural networks to distinguish reindeer grunts with a 95% accuracy rate. This high level of accuracy allowed us to examine the reindeers' grunting behaviour, revealing patterns indicating that older, heavier males vocalized more compared to their younger, lighter counterparts. The success of this study underscores the potential of on-animal acoustic recorders coupled with machine learning techniques as powerful tools for wildlife research, hinting at their broader applications with further advancement and optimization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Øystein Holand
- Department of Animal and Aquacultural SciencesNorwegian University of Life SciencesÅsNorway
| | - Jouko Kumpula
- Natural Resources Institute of Finland (Luke), Reindeer Research StationHelsinkiFinland
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Miquel J, Latorre L, Chamaillé-Jammes S. Addressing Power Issues in Biologging: An Audio/Inertial Recorder Case Study. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 22:8196. [PMID: 36365894 PMCID: PMC9657827 DOI: 10.3390/s22218196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
In the past decades, biologging, i.e., the development and deployment of animal-borne loggers, has revolutionized ecology. Despite recent advances, power consumption and battery size however remain central issues and limiting factors, constraining the quantity of data that can be collected and the size of the animals that can be studied. Here, we present strategies to achieve ultra-low power in biologging, using the design of a lightweight audio-inertial logger as an example. It is designed with low-power MEMS sensors, and a firmware based on a small embedded RTOS. Both methodologies for power reduction and experimental results are detailed. With an average power consumption reduced to 5.3 mW, combined with a battery of 1800 mAh, the logger provides 900 h of continuous 8 kHz audio, 50 Hz accelerometer and 10 Hz magnetometer data.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Miquel
- LIRMM, University Montpellier, CNRS, 34095 Montpellier, France
| | - Laurent Latorre
- LIRMM, University Montpellier, CNRS, 34095 Montpellier, France
| | - Simon Chamaillé-Jammes
- CEFE, University Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRD, University Paul Valéry, 34293 Montpellier, France
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Viewing animal migration through a social lens. Trends Ecol Evol 2022; 37:985-996. [PMID: 35931583 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2022.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Evidence of social learning is growing across the animal kingdom. Researchers have long hypothesized that social interactions play a key role in many animal migrations, but strong empirical support is scarce except in a few unique systems and species. In this review, we aim to catalyze advances in the study of social migrations by synthesizing research across disciplines and providing a framework for understanding when, how, and why social influences shape the decisions animals make during migration. Integrating research across the fields of social learning and migration ecology will advance our understanding of the complex behavioral phenomena of animal migration and help to inform conservation of animal migrations in a changing world.
Collapse
|
4
|
Perra M, Brinkman T, Scheifele P, Barcalow S. Exploring Auditory Thresholds for Reindeer, Rangifer Tarandus. J Vet Behav 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jveb.2022.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
|
5
|
Northrup JM, Vander Wal E, Bonar M, Fieberg J, Laforge MP, Leclerc M, Prokopenko CM, Gerber BD. Conceptual and methodological advances in habitat-selection modeling: guidelines for ecology and evolution. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2022; 32:e02470. [PMID: 34626518 PMCID: PMC9285351 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Habitat selection is a fundamental animal behavior that shapes a wide range of ecological processes, including animal movement, nutrient transfer, trophic dynamics and population distribution. Although habitat selection has been a focus of ecological studies for decades, technological, conceptual and methodological advances over the last 20 yr have led to a surge in studies addressing this process. Despite the substantial literature focused on quantifying the habitat-selection patterns of animals, there is a marked lack of guidance on best analytical practices. The conceptual foundations of the most commonly applied modeling frameworks can be confusing even to those well versed in their application. Furthermore, there has yet to be a synthesis of the advances made over the last 20 yr. Therefore, there is a need for both synthesis of the current state of knowledge on habitat selection, and guidance for those seeking to study this process. Here, we provide an approachable overview and synthesis of the literature on habitat-selection analyses (HSAs) conducted using selection functions, which are by far the most applied modeling framework for understanding the habitat-selection process. This review is purposefully non-technical and focused on understanding without heavy mathematical and statistical notation, which can confuse many practitioners. We offer an overview and history of HSAs, describing the tortuous conceptual path to our current understanding. Through this overview, we also aim to address the areas of greatest confusion in the literature. We synthesize the literature outlining the most exciting conceptual advances in the field of habitat-selection modeling, discussing the substantial ecological and evolutionary inference that can be made using contemporary techniques. We aim for this paper to provide clarity for those navigating the complex literature on HSAs while acting as a reference and best practices guide for practitioners.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joseph M Northrup
- Wildlife Research and Monitoring Section, Ontario Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry, Peterborough, Ontario, K9L 1Z8, Canada
- Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, K9L 1Z8, Canada
| | - Eric Vander Wal
- Department of Biology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland, A1B 3X9, Canada
| | - Maegwin Bonar
- Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, K9L 1Z8, Canada
| | - John Fieberg
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Michel P Laforge
- Department of Biology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland, A1B 3X9, Canada
| | - Martin Leclerc
- Département de Biologie, Caribou Ungava and Centre d'études nordiques, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Christina M Prokopenko
- Department of Biology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland, A1B 3X9, Canada
| | - Brian D Gerber
- Department of Natural Resources Science, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Studd EK, Derbyshire RE, Menzies AK, Simms JF, Humphries MM, Murray DL, Boutin S. The Purr‐fect Catch: Using accelerometers and audio recorders to document kill rates and hunting behaviour of a small prey specialist. Methods Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/2041-210x.13605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Emily K. Studd
- Department of Biological Sciences University of Alberta Edmonton AB Canada
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences McGill University Sainte‐Anne‐de‐Bellevue QC Canada
| | | | - Allyson K. Menzies
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences McGill University Sainte‐Anne‐de‐Bellevue QC Canada
| | | | - Murray M. Humphries
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences McGill University Sainte‐Anne‐de‐Bellevue QC Canada
| | | | - Stan Boutin
- Department of Biological Sciences University of Alberta Edmonton AB Canada
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Ferraro DM, Miller ZD, Ferguson LA, Taff BD, Barber JR, Newman P, Francis CD. The phantom chorus: birdsong boosts human well-being in protected areas. Proc Biol Sci 2020; 287:20201811. [PMID: 33323075 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2020.1811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Spending time in nature is known to benefit human health and well-being, but evidence is mixed as to whether biodiversity or perceptions of biodiversity contribute to these benefits. Perhaps more importantly, little is known about the sensory modalities by which humans perceive biodiversity and obtain benefits from their interactions with nature. Here, we used a 'phantom birdsong chorus' consisting of hidden speakers to experimentally increase audible birdsong biodiversity during 'on' and 'off' (i.e. ambient conditions) blocks on two trails to study the role of audition in biodiversity perception and self-reported well-being among hikers. Hikers exposed to the phantom chorus reported higher levels of restorative effects compared to those that experienced ambient conditions on both trails; however, increased restorative effects were directly linked to the phantom chorus on one trail and indirectly linked to the phantom chorus on the other trail through perceptions of avian biodiversity. Our findings add to a growing body of evidence linking mental health to nature experiences and suggest that audition is an important modality by which natural environments confer restorative effects. Finally, our results suggest that maintaining or improving natural soundscapes within protected areas may be an important component to maximizing human experiences.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Danielle M Ferraro
- Biological Sciences Department, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA, USA
| | - Zachary D Miller
- Department of Environment and Society, Institute of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, and the Ecology Center, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
| | - Lauren A Ferguson
- Department of Recreation Management and Policy, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, USA
| | - B Derrick Taff
- Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Jesse R Barber
- Department of Biological Sciences, Boise State University, Boise, ID, USA
| | - Peter Newman
- Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Clinton D Francis
- Biological Sciences Department, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Northrup JM, Avrin A, Anderson CR, Brown E, Wittemyer G. On-animal acoustic monitoring provides insight to ungulate foraging behavior. J Mammal 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyz124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Foraging behavior underpins many ecological processes; however, robust assessments of this behavior for free-ranging animals are rare due to limitations to direct observations. We leveraged acoustic monitoring and GPS tracking to assess the factors influencing foraging behavior of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus). We deployed custom-built acoustic collars with GPS radiocollars on mule deer to measure location-specific foraging. We quantified individual bites and steps taken by deer, and quantified two metrics of foraging behavior: the number of bites taken per step and the number of bites taken per unit time, which relate to foraging intensity and efficiency. We fit statistical models to these metrics to examine the individual, environmental, and anthropogenic factors influencing foraging. Deer in poorer body condition took more bites per step and per minute and foraged for longer irrespective of landscape properties. Other patterns varied seasonally with major changes in deer condition. In December, when deer were in better condition, they took fewer bites per step and more bites per minute. Deer also foraged more intensely and efficiently in areas of greater forage availability and greater movement costs. During March, when deer were in poorer condition, foraging was not influenced by landscape features. Anthropogenic factors weakly structured foraging behavior in December with no relationship in March. Most research on animal foraging is interpreted under the framework of optimal foraging theory. Departures from predictions developed under this framework provide insight to unrecognized factors influencing the evolution of foraging. Our results only conformed to our predictions when deer were in better condition and ecological conditions were declining, suggesting foraging strategies were state-dependent. These results advance our understanding of foraging patterns in wild animals and highlight novel observational approaches for studying animal behavior.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joseph M Northrup
- Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
- Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, Wildlife Research and Monitoring Section, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alexandra Avrin
- Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Charles R Anderson
- Mammals Research Section, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Emma Brown
- National Park Service Natural Sounds and Night Skies Division, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - George Wittemyer
- Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Wittemyer G, Northrup JM, Bastille-Rousseau G. Behavioural valuation of landscapes using movement data. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2019; 374:20180046. [PMID: 31352884 PMCID: PMC6710572 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2018.0046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Wildlife tracking is one of the most frequently employed approaches to monitor and study wildlife populations. To date, the application of tracking data to applied objectives has focused largely on the intensity of use by an animal in a location or the type of habitat. While this has provided valuable insights and advanced spatial wildlife management, such interpretation of tracking data does not capture the complexity of spatio-temporal processes inherent to animal behaviour and represented in the movement path. Here, we discuss current and emerging approaches to estimate the behavioural value of spatial locations using movement data, focusing on the nexus of conservation behaviour and movement ecology that can amplify the application of animal tracking research to contemporary conservation challenges. We highlight the importance of applying behavioural ecological approaches to the analysis of tracking data and discuss the utility of comparative approaches, optimization theory and economic valuation to gain understanding of movement strategies and gauge population-level processes. First, we discuss innovations in the most fundamental movement-based valuation of landscapes, the intensity of use of a location, namely dissecting temporal dynamics in and means by which to weight the intensity of use. We then expand our discussion to three less common currencies for behavioural valuation of landscapes, namely the assessment of the functional (i.e. what an individual is doing at a location), structural (i.e. how a location relates to use of the broader landscape) and fitness (i.e. the return from using a location) value of a location. Strengthening the behavioural theoretical underpinnings of movement ecology research promises to provide a deeper, mechanistic understanding of animal movement that can lead to unprecedented insights into the interaction between landscapes and animal behaviour and advance the application of movement research to conservation challenges. This article is part of the theme issue 'Linking behaviour to dynamics of populations and communities: application of novel approaches in behavioural ecology to conservation'.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- George Wittemyer
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Joseph M. Northrup
- Wildlife Research and Monitoring Section, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada K9J 8M5
- Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
| | - Guillaume Bastille-Rousseau
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Darras K, Batáry P, Furnas BJ, Grass I, Mulyani YA, Tscharntke T. Autonomous sound recording outperforms human observation for sampling birds: a systematic map and user guide. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2019; 29:e01954. [PMID: 31206926 DOI: 10.1002/eap.1954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Revised: 04/17/2019] [Accepted: 04/23/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Autonomous sound recording techniques have gained considerable traction in the last decade, but the question remains whether they can replace human observation surveys to sample sonant animals. For birds in particular, survey methods have been tested extensively using point counts and sound recording surveys. Here, we review the latest evidence for this taxon within the frame of a systematic map. We compare sampling effectiveness of these two survey methods, the output variables they produce, and their practicality. When assessed against the standard of point counts, autonomous sound recording proves to be a powerful tool that samples at least as many species. This technology can monitor birds in an exhaustive, standardized, and verifiable way. Moreover, sound recorders give access to entire soundscapes from which new data types can be derived (vocal activity, acoustic indices). Variables such as abundance, density, occupancy, or species richness can be obtained to yield data sets that are comparable to and compatible with point counts. Finally, autonomous sound recorders allow investigations at high temporal and spatial resolution and coverage, which are more cost effective and cannot be achieved by human observations alone, even though small-scale studies might be more cost effective when carried out with point counts. Sound recorders can be deployed in many places, they are more scalable and reliable, making them the better choice for bird surveys in an increasingly data-driven time. We provide an overview of currently available recorders and discuss their specifications to guide future study designs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Darras
- Agroecology, Department of Crop Sciences, University of Goettingen, Grisebachstrasse 6, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Péter Batáry
- Agroecology, Department of Crop Sciences, University of Goettingen, Grisebachstrasse 6, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
- Lendület Landscape and Conservation Ecology, Institute of Ecology and Botany, MTA Centre for Ecological Research, Alkotmány u. 2-4, 2163, Vácrátót, Hungary
| | - Brett J Furnas
- Wildlife Investigations Laboratory, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, 1701 Nimbus Road, Suite D, Sacramento, California, 95670, USA
| | - Ingo Grass
- Agroecology, Department of Crop Sciences, University of Goettingen, Grisebachstrasse 6, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Yeni A Mulyani
- Department of Forest Resources Conservation and Ecotourism, Faculty of Forestry, Bogor Agricultural University, Bogor, Indonesia
| | - Teja Tscharntke
- Agroecology, Department of Crop Sciences, University of Goettingen, Grisebachstrasse 6, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Studd EK, Boudreau MR, Majchrzak YN, Menzies AK, Peers MJL, Seguin JL, Lavergne SG, Boonstra R, Murray DL, Boutin S, Humphries MM. Use of Acceleration and Acoustics to Classify Behavior, Generate Time Budgets, and Evaluate Responses to Moonlight in Free-Ranging Snowshoe Hares. Front Ecol Evol 2019. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2019.00154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
|
12
|
Yan X, Zhang H, Li D, Wu D, Zhou S, Sun M, Hu H, Liu X, Mou S, He S, Owen MA, Huang Y. Acoustic recordings provide detailed information regarding the behavior of cryptic wildlife to support conservation translocations. Sci Rep 2019; 9:5172. [PMID: 30914700 PMCID: PMC6435668 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-41455-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2018] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
For translocated animals, behavioral competence may be key to post-release survival. However, monitoring behavior is typically limited to tracking movements or inferring behavior at a gross scale via collar-mounted sensors. Animal-bourne acoustic monitoring may provide a unique opportunity to monitor behavior at a finer scale. The giant panda is an elusive species of Ursid that is vulnerable to extinction. Translocation is an important aspect of the species' recovery, and survival and recruitment for pandas likely hinge on behavioral competence. Here we tested the efficacy of a collar-mounted acoustic recording unit (ARU) to remotely monitor the behavior of panda mothers and their dependent young. We found that trained human listeners could reliably identify 10 behaviors from acoustic recordings. Through visual inspection of spectrograms we further identified 5 behavioral categories that may be detectable by automated pattern recognition, an approach that is essential for the practical application of ARU. These results suggest that ARU are a viable method for remotely observing behaviors, including feeding. With targeted effort directed towards instrumentation and computing advances, ARU could be used to document how behavioral competence supports or challenges post-release survival and recruitment, and allow for research findings to be adaptively integrated into future translocation efforts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Yan
- China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda, Wolong, Sichuan, 623006, China
- Key Laboratory of Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Hemin Zhang
- China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda, Wolong, Sichuan, 623006, China
| | - Desheng Li
- China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda, Wolong, Sichuan, 623006, China
| | - Daifu Wu
- China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda, Wolong, Sichuan, 623006, China.
| | - Shiqiang Zhou
- China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda, Wolong, Sichuan, 623006, China
| | - Mengmeng Sun
- China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda, Wolong, Sichuan, 623006, China
| | - Haiping Hu
- China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda, Wolong, Sichuan, 623006, China
| | - Xiaoqiang Liu
- China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda, Wolong, Sichuan, 623006, China
| | - Shijie Mou
- China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda, Wolong, Sichuan, 623006, China
| | - Shengshan He
- China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda, Wolong, Sichuan, 623006, China
| | - Megan A Owen
- Institute for Conservation Research, San Diego Zoo Global, California, United States.
| | - Yan Huang
- China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda, Wolong, Sichuan, 623006, China.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Greif S, Yovel Y. Using on-board sound recordings to infer behaviour of free-moving wild animals. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 222:222/Suppl_1/jeb184689. [PMID: 30728226 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.184689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Technological advances in the last 20 years have enabled researchers to develop increasingly sophisticated miniature devices (tags) that record an animal's behaviour not from an observational, external viewpoint, but directly on the animals themselves. So far, behavioural research with these tags has mostly been conducted using movement or acceleration data. But on-board audio recordings have become more and more common following pioneering work in marine mammal research. The first questions that come to mind when recording sound on-board animals concern their vocal behaviour. When are they calling? How do they adjust their behaviour? What acoustic parameters do they change and how? However, other topics like foraging behaviour, social interactions or environmental acoustics can now be addressed as well and offer detailed insight into the animals' daily life. In this Review, we discuss the possibilities, advantages and limitations of on-board acoustic recordings. We focus primarily on bats as their active-sensing, echolocating lifestyle allows many approaches to a multi-faceted acoustic assessment of their behaviour. The general ideas and concepts, however, are applicable to many animals and hopefully will demonstrate the versatility of on-board acoustic recordings and stimulate new research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Greif
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel.,Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Yossi Yovel
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel .,Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Wijers M, Trethowan P, Markham A, du Preez B, Chamaillé-Jammes S, Loveridge A, Macdonald D. Listening to Lions: Animal-Borne Acoustic Sensors Improve Bio-logger Calibration and Behaviour Classification Performance. Front Ecol Evol 2018. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2018.00171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
|
15
|
Haswell PM, Jones KA, Kusak J, Hayward MW. Fear, foraging and olfaction: how mesopredators avoid costly interactions with apex predators. Oecologia 2018; 187:573-583. [PMID: 29654482 PMCID: PMC6018578 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-018-4133-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2017] [Accepted: 03/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Where direct killing is rare and niche overlap low, sympatric carnivores may appear to coexist without conflict. Interference interactions, harassment and injury from larger carnivores may still pose a risk to smaller mesopredators. Foraging theory suggests that animals should adjust their behaviour accordingly to optimise foraging efficiency and overall fitness, trading off harvest rate with costs to fitness. The foraging behaviour of red foxes, Vulpes vulpes, was studied with automated cameras and a repeated measures giving-up density (GUD) experiment where olfactory risk cues were manipulated. In Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia, red foxes increased GUDs by 34% and quitting harvest rates by 29% in response to wolf urine. In addition to leaving more food behind, foxes also responded to wolf urine by spending less time visiting food patches each day and altering their behaviour in order to compensate for the increased risk when foraging from patches. Thus, red foxes utilised olfaction to assess risk and experienced foraging costs due to the presence of a cue from gray wolves, Canis lupus. This study identifies behavioural mechanisms which may enable competing predators to coexist, and highlights the potential for additional ecosystem service pathways arising from the behaviour of large carnivores. Given the vulnerability of large carnivores to anthropogenic disturbance, a growing human population and intensifying resource consumption, it becomes increasingly important to understand ecological processes so that land can be managed appropriately.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peter M Haswell
- School of Biological Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2UW, UK.
- UK Wolf Conservation Trust, Butlers Farm, Beenham, Berkshire, RG7 5NT, UK.
| | - Katherine A Jones
- School of Biological Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2UW, UK
| | - Josip Kusak
- Department of Biology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zagreb, Heinzelova 55, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Matt W Hayward
- School of Biological Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2UW, UK
- School of Environment Natural Resources and Geography, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2UW, UK
- Centre for African Conservation Ecology, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
- Centre for Wildlife Management, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Hughey LF, Hein AM, Strandburg-Peshkin A, Jensen FH. Challenges and solutions for studying collective animal behaviour in the wild. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2018; 373:20170005. [PMID: 29581390 PMCID: PMC5882975 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2017.0005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Mobile animal groups provide some of the most compelling examples of self-organization in the natural world. While field observations of songbird flocks wheeling in the sky or anchovy schools fleeing from predators have inspired considerable interest in the mechanics of collective motion, the challenge of simultaneously monitoring multiple animals in the field has historically limited our capacity to study collective behaviour of wild animal groups with precision. However, recent technological advancements now present exciting opportunities to overcome many of these limitations. Here we review existing methods used to collect data on the movements and interactions of multiple animals in a natural setting. We then survey emerging technologies that are poised to revolutionize the study of collective animal behaviour by extending the spatial and temporal scales of inquiry, increasing data volume and quality, and expediting the post-processing of raw data.This article is part of the theme issue 'Collective movement ecology'.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lacey F Hughey
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Andrew M Hein
- Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
- Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
| | - Ariana Strandburg-Peshkin
- Department of Migration and Immuno-Ecology, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Am Obstberg 1, 78315 Radolfzell, Germany
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Frants H Jensen
- Aarhus Institute of Advanced Studies, Aarhus University, Høegh-Guldbergs Gade 6B, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Mennitt DJ, Fristrup KM, Notaros BM. Characterization of gain and directivity of exponential horn receivers. THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2017; 142:3257. [PMID: 29195467 DOI: 10.1121/1.5012757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
It is difficult and expensive to match the sensitivity of the most sensitive vertebrate ears with off-the-shelf microphones due to the self-noise of the sensor. The extremely small apertures of microelectromechanical microphones create options to use horn waveguides to amplify sound prior to transduction without resulting in an unacceptably narrow directivity. Substantial gain can be achieved at wavelengths larger than the horn. An analytical model of an exponential horn embedded in a rigid spherical housing was formulated to describe the gain relative to a free-field receiver as a function of frequency and angle of arrival. For waves incident on-axis, the analytical model provided an accurate estimate of gain at high frequencies as validated by experimental measurement. Numerical models, using the equivalent source method, can account for higher order modes and comprehensively describe the acoustic scattering within and around the horn for waves arriving from any direction. Results show the directivity of horn receivers were adequately described by the analytical model up to a critical wavelength, and the mechanisms of deviation in gain at high frequencies and large angles of arrival were identified.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Mennitt
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Colorado State University, 1373 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, Colorado 80525, USA
| | - Kurt M Fristrup
- Natural Sounds and Night Skies Division, National Park Service, 1201 Oakridge Drive, Fort Collins, Colorado 80525, USA
| | - Branislav M Notaros
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Colorado State University, 1373 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, Colorado 80525, USA
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Adret P, Cochran JS, Suarez Roda M. Airborne vs. radio-transmitted vocalizations in two primates: a technical report. BIOACOUSTICS 2017. [DOI: 10.1080/09524622.2017.1335617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Patrice Adret
- Museo de Historia Natural Noel Kempff Mercado, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
O'Donoghue P, Rutz C. Real-time anti-poaching tags could help prevent imminent species extinctions. J Appl Ecol 2015; 53:5-10. [PMID: 27478204 PMCID: PMC4949716 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.12452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2014] [Accepted: 04/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Christian Rutz
- School of Biology University of St Andrews St Andrews UK
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Couchoux C, Aubert M, Garant D, Réale D. Spying on small wildlife sounds using affordable collar-mounted miniature microphones: an innovative method to record individual daylong vocalisations in chipmunks. Sci Rep 2015; 5:10118. [PMID: 25944509 PMCID: PMC4650754 DOI: 10.1038/srep10118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2014] [Accepted: 03/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Technological advances can greatly benefit the scientific community by making new areas of research accessible. The study of animal vocal communication, in particular, can gain new insights and knowledge from technological improvements in recording equipment. Our comprehension of the acoustic signals emitted by animals would be greatly improved if we could continuously track the daily natural emissions of individuals in the wild, especially in the context of integrating individual variation into evolutionary ecology research questions. We show here how this can be accomplished using an operational tiny audio recorder that can easily be fitted as an on-board acoustic data-logger on small free-ranging animals. The high-quality 24 h acoustic recording logged on the spy microphone device allowed us to very efficiently collect daylong chipmunk vocalisations, giving us much more detailed data than the classical use of a directional microphone over an entire field season. The recordings also allowed us to monitor individual activity patterns and record incredibly long resting heart rates, and to identify self-scratching events and even whining from pre-emerging pups in their maternal burrow.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Charline Couchoux
- Département des Sciences Biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal, H3C 3P8 Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Maxime Aubert
- Département des Sciences Biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal, H3C 3P8 Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Dany Garant
- Département de Biologie, Université de Sherbrooke, J1K 2R1, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Denis Réale
- Département des Sciences Biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal, H3C 3P8 Montréal, QC, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Hansen SJK, Frair JL, Underwood HB, Gibbs JP. Pairing call-response surveys and distance sampling for a mammalian carnivore. J Wildl Manage 2015. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sara J. K. Hansen
- Department of Environmental and Forest Biology; State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, 1 Forestry Drive; Syracuse NY 13210 USA
| | - Jacqueline L. Frair
- Department of Environmental and Forest Biology; State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, 1 Forestry Drive; Syracuse NY 13210 USA
| | - H. Brian Underwood
- USGS; Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, 1 Forestry Drive; Syracuse NY 13210 USA
| | - James P. Gibbs
- Department of Environmental and Forest Biology; State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, 1 Forestry Drive; Syracuse NY 13210 USA
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Merchant ND, Fristrup KM, Johnson MP, Tyack PL, Witt MJ, Blondel P, Parks SE. Measuring acoustic habitats. Methods Ecol Evol 2015; 6:257-265. [PMID: 25954500 PMCID: PMC4413749 DOI: 10.1111/2041-210x.12330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2014] [Accepted: 12/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
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.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nathan D Merchant
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science (Cefas)Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR33 0HT, UK
- Department of Biology, Syracuse UniversitySyracuse, NY, 13244, USA
- Department of Physics, University of BathBath, BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Kurt M Fristrup
- Natural Sounds and Night Skies Division, National Park ServiceFort Collins, CO, 80525, USA
| | - Mark P Johnson
- Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St. AndrewsSt. Andrews, Fife, KY16 8LB, UK
| | - Peter L Tyack
- Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St. AndrewsSt. Andrews, Fife, KY16 8LB, UK
| | - Matthew J Witt
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of ExeterPenryn, TR10 9FE, UK
| | | | - Susan E Parks
- Department of Biology, Syracuse UniversitySyracuse, NY, 13244, USA
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Froidevaux JSP, Zellweger F, Bollmann K, Obrist MK. Optimizing passive acoustic sampling of bats in forests. Ecol Evol 2014; 4:4690-700. [PMID: 25558363 PMCID: PMC4278821 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.1296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2014] [Revised: 09/19/2014] [Accepted: 10/01/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Passive acoustic methods are increasingly used in biodiversity research and monitoring programs because they are cost-effective and permit the collection of large datasets. However, the accuracy of the results depends on the bioacoustic characteristics of the focal taxa and their habitat use. In particular, this applies to bats which exhibit distinct activity patterns in three-dimensionally structured habitats such as forests. We assessed the performance of 21 acoustic sampling schemes with three temporal sampling patterns and seven sampling designs. Acoustic sampling was performed in 32 forest plots, each containing three microhabitats: forest ground, canopy, and forest gap. We compared bat activity, species richness, and sampling effort using species accumulation curves fitted with the clench equation. In addition, we estimated the sampling costs to undertake the best sampling schemes. We recorded a total of 145,433 echolocation call sequences of 16 bat species. Our results indicated that to generate the best outcome, it was necessary to sample all three microhabitats of a given forest location simultaneously throughout the entire night. Sampling only the forest gaps and the forest ground simultaneously was the second best choice and proved to be a viable alternative when the number of available detectors is limited. When assessing bat species richness at the 1-km2 scale, the implementation of these sampling schemes at three to four forest locations yielded highest labor cost-benefit ratios but increasing equipment costs. Our study illustrates that multiple passive acoustic sampling schemes require testing based on the target taxa and habitat complexity and should be performed with reference to cost-benefit ratios. Choosing a standardized and replicated sampling scheme is particularly important to optimize the level of precision in inventories, especially when rare or elusive species are expected.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jérémy S P Froidevaux
- WSL Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research, Biodiversity and Conservation Biology Zürcherstrasse 111, CH-8903, Birmensdorf, Switzerland ; University of Montpellier II 2 Place Eugène Bataillon, Cedex 05, F-34095 Montpellier, France
| | - Florian Zellweger
- WSL Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research, Biodiversity and Conservation Biology Zürcherstrasse 111, CH-8903, Birmensdorf, Switzerland ; Forest Ecology, Institute of Terrestrial Ecosystems, Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zürich CH-8092, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Kurt Bollmann
- WSL Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research, Biodiversity and Conservation Biology Zürcherstrasse 111, CH-8903, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Martin K Obrist
- WSL Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research, Biodiversity and Conservation Biology Zürcherstrasse 111, CH-8903, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Lynch E, Northrup JM, McKenna MF, Anderson CR, Angeloni L, Wittemyer G. Landscape and anthropogenic features influence the use of auditory vigilance by mule deer. Behav Ecol 2014. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/aru158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
|
25
|
Wall J, Wittemyer G, Klinkenberg B, Douglas-Hamilton I. Novel opportunities for wildlife conservation and research with real-time monitoring. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2014; 24:593-601. [PMID: 24988762 DOI: 10.1890/13-1971.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The expansion of global communication networks and advances in animal-tracking technology make possible the real-time telemetry of positional data as recorded by animal-attached tracking units. When combined with continuous, algorithm-based analytical capability, unique opportunities emerge for applied ecological monitoring and wildlife conservation. We present here four broad approaches for algorithmic wildlife monitoring in real time--proximity, geofencing, movement rate, and immobility--designed to examine aspects of wildlife spatial activity and behavior not possible with conventional tracking systems. Application of these four routines to the real-time monitoring of 94 African elephants was made. We also provide details of our cloud-based monitoring system including infrastructure, data collection, and customized software for continuous tracking data analysis. We also highlight future directions of real-time collection and analysis of biological, physiological, and environmental information from wildlife to encourage further development of needed algorithms and monitoring technology. Real-time processing of remotely collected, animal biospatial data promises to open novel directions in ecological research, applied species monitoring, conservation programs, and public outreach and education.
Collapse
|