Using acoustic indices in ecology: Guidance on study design, analyses and interpretation
Abstract The rise of passive acoustic monitoring and the rapid growth in large audio datasets is driving the development of analysis methods that allow ecological inferences to be drawn from acoustic data. Acoustic indices are currently one of the most widely applied tools in ecoacoustics. These num...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2023-09-01
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| Series: | Methods in Ecology and Evolution |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1111/2041-210X.14194 |
| _version_ | 1827824203842191360 |
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| author | Tom Bradfer‐Lawrence Camille Desjonqueres Alice Eldridge Alison Johnston Oliver Metcalf |
| author_facet | Tom Bradfer‐Lawrence Camille Desjonqueres Alice Eldridge Alison Johnston Oliver Metcalf |
| author_sort | Tom Bradfer‐Lawrence |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract The rise of passive acoustic monitoring and the rapid growth in large audio datasets is driving the development of analysis methods that allow ecological inferences to be drawn from acoustic data. Acoustic indices are currently one of the most widely applied tools in ecoacoustics. These numerical summaries of the sound energy contained in digital audio recordings are relatively straightforward and fast to calculate but can be challenging to interpret. Misapplication and misinterpretation have produced conflicting results and led some to question their value. To encourage better use of acoustic indices, we provide nine points of guidance to support good study design, analysis and interpretation. We offer practical recommendations for the use of acoustic indices in the study of both whole soundscapes and individual taxa and species, and point to emerging trends in ecoacoustic analysis. In particular, we highlight the critical importance of understanding the links between soundscape patterns and acoustic indices. Acoustic indices can offer insights into the state of organisms, populations, and ecosystems, complementing other ecological research techniques. Judicious selection, appropriate application and thorough interpretation of existing indices is vital to bolster robust developments in ecoacoustics for biodiversity monitoring, conservation and future research. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T02:22:37Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e7d65354bea04210832b488a83a2aa6d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2041-210X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T02:22:37Z |
| publishDate | 2023-09-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Methods in Ecology and Evolution |
| spelling | doaj.art-e7d65354bea04210832b488a83a2aa6d2023-09-06T04:43:40ZengWileyMethods in Ecology and Evolution2041-210X2023-09-011492192220410.1111/2041-210X.14194Using acoustic indices in ecology: Guidance on study design, analyses and interpretationTom Bradfer‐Lawrence0Camille Desjonqueres1Alice Eldridge2Alison Johnston3Oliver Metcalf4Biological & Environmental Sciences University of Stirling Stirling UKLaboratoire d'Ecologie Alpine Université Grenoble Alpes Gières FranceSussex Humanities Lab and Sussex Sustainability Research Programme University of Sussex Sussex UKCentre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling, Maths and Statistics University of St Andrews St Andrews UKDivision of Biology and Conservation Ecology, Department of Natural Sciences Manchester Metropolitan University Manchester UKAbstract The rise of passive acoustic monitoring and the rapid growth in large audio datasets is driving the development of analysis methods that allow ecological inferences to be drawn from acoustic data. Acoustic indices are currently one of the most widely applied tools in ecoacoustics. These numerical summaries of the sound energy contained in digital audio recordings are relatively straightforward and fast to calculate but can be challenging to interpret. Misapplication and misinterpretation have produced conflicting results and led some to question their value. To encourage better use of acoustic indices, we provide nine points of guidance to support good study design, analysis and interpretation. We offer practical recommendations for the use of acoustic indices in the study of both whole soundscapes and individual taxa and species, and point to emerging trends in ecoacoustic analysis. In particular, we highlight the critical importance of understanding the links between soundscape patterns and acoustic indices. Acoustic indices can offer insights into the state of organisms, populations, and ecosystems, complementing other ecological research techniques. Judicious selection, appropriate application and thorough interpretation of existing indices is vital to bolster robust developments in ecoacoustics for biodiversity monitoring, conservation and future research.https://doi.org/10.1111/2041-210X.14194acousticsbiodiversity indicesecoacousticsindexmonitoringpassive acoustic monitoring |
| spellingShingle | Tom Bradfer‐Lawrence Camille Desjonqueres Alice Eldridge Alison Johnston Oliver Metcalf Using acoustic indices in ecology: Guidance on study design, analyses and interpretation Methods in Ecology and Evolution acoustics biodiversity indices ecoacoustics index monitoring passive acoustic monitoring |
| title | Using acoustic indices in ecology: Guidance on study design, analyses and interpretation |
| title_full | Using acoustic indices in ecology: Guidance on study design, analyses and interpretation |
| title_fullStr | Using acoustic indices in ecology: Guidance on study design, analyses and interpretation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Using acoustic indices in ecology: Guidance on study design, analyses and interpretation |
| title_short | Using acoustic indices in ecology: Guidance on study design, analyses and interpretation |
| title_sort | using acoustic indices in ecology guidance on study design analyses and interpretation |
| topic | acoustics biodiversity indices ecoacoustics index monitoring passive acoustic monitoring |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1111/2041-210X.14194 |
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