Acoustic Loggers for Biodiversity Monitoring

The evaluation of biodiversity is inhibited by the lack of global monitoring coverage. The subsequent data gaps are constrained by the cost and availability of commercial monitoring equipment. However, with the rapid improvements to technology over the last decade, global access to better, more affordable monitoring tools should be achievable. Consequently, we show how acoustic loggers can help deliver this, from low level hardware design to the conservation efforts we have applied it to over the last year.  We focus on describing the design of our low-power, field configurable acoustic monitoring device, Soundtrap. Its onboard monitoring firmware utilises thresholding techniques, alongside an implementation of the Goertzel algorithm, to trigger recordings in response to acoustic events in real time. The overall system also features a bespoke device configuration app and a web-based analysis tool; for customised functionality and quick visual evaluation of the collected data. We present Soundtrap in this seminar describing its functions as a full spectrum acoustic monitor for low-amplitude insect song and high-amplitude ultrasonic bat calls. We also look at trials performed in several locations around the world and show how acoustic loggers can be utilised for a wide variety of biodiversity conversation applications. For example, detecting the New Forest Cicada and monitoring anthropogenic disturbances in the Tapir Mountain reserve, Belize.