Research
We conduct a broad range of terrestrial, aquatic, and marine bioacoustic research, often at large geographic scales. Many of our projects are applied, featuring a strong focus on the conservation of endangered species. More recently we have engaged in the development of acoustic metrics to assess biodiversity and ecosystem health. We are also researching new ways to collect and analyze acoustic data sets using autonomous mobile systems and algorithm development. Here is an overview of our current research portfolio:
Acoustic Localization and Density EstimationAutomating acoustic tools to estimate species abundance for efficient, large-scale conservation monitoring.
- Air quality and ecological community soundscapes across Borneo
Studying how wildfire smoke impacts wildlife behavior and soundscapes in Borneo’s unprotected lowland forests.
- Bowhead Whale Census
Visual and acoustic monitoring to estimate the migrating whale population off the Alaskan coast.
- Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) for Marine Conservation
Repurposing telecom cables for real-time underwater acoustic monitoring.
- Ecosystem-scale Biodiversity Monitoring in California
Comprehensive acoustic monitoring and machine learning reveal bird biodiversity across the Sierra Nevada, supporting conservation efforts and ecosystem management in the face of climate and environmental pressures.
- Elephant Listening Project
Seeking to help conserve the second largest block of rainforest on earth and the biodiversity that it harbors, by focusing on forest elephants as key architects of those forests, and using innovative acoustic tools at the scale of landscapes.
- Freshwater Fish Monitoring
From detecting species presence to understanding patterns like seasonality and ecological behavior.
- Glacier Bay Sound Propagation Modeling
Algorithmic exploration of vessel noise to help park managers protect wildlife and preserve the natural soundscape.
- Integrative monitoring of distribution and health of Borneo’s endangered apes
Long-term research in Borneo’s threatened forests tracks how industrial impacts affect the health and distribution of endangered apes across key landscapes.
- Marine Mammal Biodiversity off the Oregon Coast
Using marine passive acoustic devices to detect toothed whales along an oceanographic transect.
- New England Birds
Tracking bird biodiversity and ecosystem health in northeastern U.S. parks through acoustic monitoring.
- Offshore Wind Development Impact
Addressing data gaps and mitigating risks along baleen whale migration routes.
- Pantanal Biodiversity
Assessing bird and frog diversity in the Pantanal to inform long-term conservation strategies, focusing on migratory bird patterns and frog behavior in response to environmental changes.
- Reef Systems and Climate Change
Monitoring reef ecosystems to assess biodiversity, track species, and understand environmental impacts.
- Spotted Owls
Monitoring population trends and responses to habitat change and supporting management of an invasive competitor.
