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Osborne PE, Alvares-Sanches T, White PR. To Bag or Not to Bag? How AudioMoth-Based Passive Acoustic Monitoring Is Impacted by Protective Coverings. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 23:7287. [PMID: 37631823 PMCID: PMC10457934 DOI: 10.3390/s23167287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
Bare board AudioMoth recorders offer a low-cost, open-source solution to passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) but need protecting in an enclosure. We were concerned that the choice of enclosure may alter the spectral characteristics of recordings. We focus on polythene bags as the simplest enclosure and assess how their use affects acoustic metrics. Using an anechoic chamber, a series of pure sinusoidal tones from 100 Hz to 20 kHz were recorded on 10 AudioMoth devices and a calibrated Class 1 sound level meter. The recordings were made on bare board AudioMoth devices, as well as after covering them with different bags. Linear phase finite impulse response filters were designed to replicate the frequency response functions between the incident pressure wave and the recorded signals. We applied these filters to ~1000 sound recordings to assess the effects of the AudioMoth and the bags on 19 acoustic metrics. While bare board AudioMoth showed very consistent spectral responses with accentuation in the higher frequencies, bag enclosures led to significant and erratic attenuation inconsistent between frequencies. Few acoustic metrics were insensitive to this uncertainty, rendering index comparisons unreliable. Biases due to enclosures on PAM devices may need to be considered when choosing appropriate acoustic indices for ecological studies. Archived recordings without adequate metadata may potentially produce biased acoustic index values and should be treated cautiously.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick E. Osborne
- School of Geography and Environmental Science, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK;
| | - Tatiana Alvares-Sanches
- School of Geography and Environmental Science, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK;
- School of Computing, Urban Sciences Building, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 5TG, UK
| | - Paul R. White
- Institute of Sound and Vibration Research, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK;
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Schulz AK, Shriver C, Stathatos S, Seleb B, Weigel EG, Chang YH, Saad Bhamla M, Hu DL, Mendelson JR. Conservation tools: the next generation of engineering-biology collaborations. J R Soc Interface 2023; 20:20230232. [PMID: 37582407 PMCID: PMC10427197 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2023.0232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The recent increase in public and academic interest in preserving biodiversity has led to the growth of the field of conservation technology. This field involves designing and constructing tools that use technology to aid in the conservation of wildlife. In this review, we present five case studies and infer a framework for designing conservation tools (CT) based on human-wildlife interaction. Successful CT range in complexity from cat collars to machine learning and game theory methodologies and do not require technological expertise to contribute to conservation tool creation. Our goal is to introduce researchers to the field of conservation technology and provide references for guiding the next generation of conservation technologists. Conservation technology not only has the potential to benefit biodiversity but also has broader impacts on fields such as sustainability and environmental protection. By using innovative technologies to address conservation challenges, we can find more effective and efficient solutions to protect and preserve our planet's resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew K. Schulz
- Haptic Ingelligence Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, Stuttgart 70569, Germany
- Schools of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Cassie Shriver
- Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Suzanne Stathatos
- Division of Engineering and Applied Science, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Benjamin Seleb
- Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Emily G. Weigel
- Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Young-Hui Chang
- Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - M. Saad Bhamla
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - David L. Hu
- Schools of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
- Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Joseph R. Mendelson
- Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
- Zoo Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30315, USA
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3
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Jadali N, Zhang MJ, Schulz AK, Meyerchick J, Hu DL. ForageFeeder: A low-cost open source feeder for randomly distributing food. HARDWAREX 2023; 14:e00405. [PMID: 36950388 PMCID: PMC10026035 DOI: 10.1016/j.ohx.2023.e00405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Automated feeders have long fed mice, livestock, and poultry, but are incapable of feeding zoo animals such as gorillas. In captivity, gorillas eat cut vegetables and fruits in pieces too large to be dispensed by automated feeders. Consequently, captive gorillas are fed manually at set times and locations, keeping them from the exercise and enrichment that accompanies natural foraging. We designed and built ForageFeeder, an automated gorilla feeder that spreads food at random intervals throughout the day. ForageFeeder is an open source and easy to manufacture and modify device, making the feeder more accessible for zoos. The design presented here reduces manual labor for zoo staff and may be a useful tool for studies of animal ethology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nima Jadali
- College of Computing, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Margaret J. Zhang
- George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Andrew K. Schulz
- George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
- Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, Stuttgart, Germany
| | | | - David L. Hu
- George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
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Merlino S, Locritani M, Guarnieri A, Delrosso D, Bianucci M, Paterni M. Marine Litter Tracking System: A Case Study with Open-Source Technology and a Citizen Science-Based Approach. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 23:935. [PMID: 36679731 PMCID: PMC9863889 DOI: 10.3390/s23020935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
It is well established that most of the plastic pollution found in the oceans is transported via rivers. Unfortunately, the main processes contributing to plastic and debris displacement through riparian systems is still poorly understood. The Marine Litter Drifter project from the Arno River aims at using modern consumer software and hardware technologies to track the movements of real anthropogenic marine debris (AMD) from rivers. The innovative "Marine Litter Trackers" (MLT) were utilized as they are reliable, robust, self-powered and they present almost no maintenance costs. Furthermore, they can be built not only by those trained in the field but also by those with no specific expertise, including high school students, simply by following the instructions. Five dispersion experiments were successfully conducted from April 2021 to December 2021, using different types of trackers in different seasons and weather conditions. The maximum distance tracked was 2845 km for a period of 94 days. The activity at sea was integrated by use of Lagrangian numerical models that also assisted in planning the deployments and the recovery of drifters. The observed tracking data in turn were used for calibration and validation, recursively improving their quality. The dynamics of marine litter (ML) dispersion in the Tyrrhenian Sea is also discussed, along with the potential for open-source approaches including the "citizen science" perspective for both improving big data collection and educating/awareness-raising on AMD issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Merlino
- CNR-ISMAR (Istituto di Scienze Marine-Sede di La Spezia), 19032 La Spezia, Italy
| | - Marina Locritani
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione di Roma 2, 00143 Roma, Italy
| | - Antonio Guarnieri
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione di Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy
| | - Damiano Delrosso
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione di Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy
| | - Marco Bianucci
- CNR-ISMAR (Istituto di Scienze Marine-Sede di La Spezia), 19032 La Spezia, Italy
| | - Marco Paterni
- CNR-IFC (Istituto di Fisiologia Clinica-Pisa), 56124 Pisa, Italy
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Speaker T, O'Donnell S, Wittemyer G, Bruyere B, Loucks C, Dancer A, Carter M, Fegraus E, Palmer J, Warren E, Solomon J. A global community-sourced assessment of the state of conservation technology. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2022; 36:e13871. [PMID: 34904294 PMCID: PMC9303432 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Conservation technology holds the potential to vastly increase conservationists' ability to understand and address critical environmental challenges, but systemic constraints appear to hamper its development and adoption. Understanding of these constraints and opportunities for advancement remains limited. We conducted a global online survey of 248 conservation technology users and developers to identify perceptions of existing tools' current performance and potential impact, user and developer constraints, and key opportunities for growth. We also conducted focus groups with 45 leading experts to triangulate findings. The technologies with the highest perceived potential were machine learning and computer vision, eDNA and genomics, and networked sensors. A total of 95%, 94%, and 92% respondents, respectively, rated them as very helpful or game changers. The most pressing challenges affecting the field as a whole were competition for limited funding, duplication of efforts, and inadequate capacity building. A total of 76%, 67%, and 55% respondents, respectively, identified these as primary concerns. The key opportunities for growth identified in focus groups were increasing collaboration and information sharing, improving the interoperability of tools, and enhancing capacity for data analyses at scale. Some constraints appeared to disproportionately affect marginalized groups. Respondents in countries with developing economies were more likely to report being constrained by upfront costs, maintenance costs, and development funding (p = 0.048, odds ratio [OR] = 2.78; p = 0.005, OR = 4.23; p = 0.024, OR = 4.26), and female respondents were more likely to report being constrained by development funding and perceived technical skills (p = 0.027, OR = 3.98; p = 0.048, OR = 2.33). To our knowledge, this is the first attempt to formally capture the perspectives and needs of the global conservation technology community, providing foundational data that can serve as a benchmark to measure progress. We see tremendous potential for this community to further the vision they define, in which collaboration trumps competition; solutions are open, accessible, and interoperable; and user-friendly processing tools empower the rapid translation of data into conservation action. Article impact statement: Addressing financing, coordination, and capacity-building constraints is critical to the development and adoption of conservation technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Talia Speaker
- Human Dimensions of Natural ResourcesColorado State UniversityFort CollinsColoradoUSA
- World Wildlife FundWashingtonD.C.USA
| | | | - George Wittemyer
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation BiologyColorado State UniversityFort CollinsColoradoUSA
| | - Brett Bruyere
- Human Dimensions of Natural ResourcesColorado State UniversityFort CollinsColoradoUSA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jennifer Solomon
- Human Dimensions of Natural ResourcesColorado State UniversityFort CollinsColoradoUSA
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iEcology: Harnessing Large Online Resources to Generate Ecological Insights. Trends Ecol Evol 2020; 35:630-639. [PMID: 32521246 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2020.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Revised: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Digital data are accumulating at unprecedented rates. These contain a lot of information about the natural world, some of which can be used to answer key ecological questions. Here, we introduce iEcology (i.e., internet ecology), an emerging research approach that uses diverse online data sources and methods to generate insights about species distribution over space and time, interactions and dynamics of organisms and their environment, and anthropogenic impacts. We review iEcology data sources and methods, and provide examples of potential research applications. We also outline approaches to reduce potential biases and improve reliability and applicability. As technologies and expertise improve, and costs diminish, iEcology will become an increasingly important means to gain novel insights into the natural world.
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