Assessment of ecosystem biodiversity by acoustic diversity indices

Abstract

Assessment of ecosystem biodiversity by measurement of acoustic diversity was explored [B. L. Krause, Explorers J., Winter, 156–160 (1993)]. Specific acoustic indices (e.g., based on frequency spectrum) were developed and correlated with standard diversity indices (e.g., standard species abundance indices). Necessary technological infrastructures and analytic processes to measure acoustic dynamics of ecological biodiversity were explored. An automated web-based infrastructure capable of capturing, processing, and relaying real-time field measurements from multiple ecosystems to desktop and home computers was developed, tested, and implemented. Key infrastructure components were remote field instrumentation, remote computer processing, wireless digital relay instrumentation, Internet server, and automation, relational database, and website software. A dynamic digital library of ecological acoustic samples, correlated ecosystem attributes, and acoustic analysis methodologies was established. Library resources, including digital sound files captured from ecosystems, were made available to researchers and the public over the Internet [N. Metzger and M. Blumenthal, Realizing Info. Future, NAP, 113–119 (1994)]. Indices of acoustic ecosystem diversity were refined through application on existing digital ecosystem sound recordings and digital sounds captured from multiple ecosystems. The performance of these indices was compared to standard biodiversity indices applied to the same ecosystems.