NTRES 6150 - Introduction to Conservation Bioacoustics

(CU-SBY)

Fall. 3 or 4 credits, variable. Letter grades only.

Co-meets with NTRES 3150.

H. Klinck, A. Rice, L. Symes.

This course provides a strong foundation in the discipline of conservation bioacoustics, the use of sound to assess biodiversity, monitor animal populations, and make conservation decisions. In lecture, students will learn the basics of how sound is recorded and visualized, how animals produce and perceive sounds, and how to select recording equipment that is appropriate to the question and application. The course lectures will also build skills in acoustic data analysis including manual annotation, template detection, and machine learning approaches. In lab, students will use recording equipment to make recordings, practice analyzing acoustic data using a variety of cutting-edge analysis approaches, and learn strategies for the curation and management of large datasets. This course is a mandatory pre-requisite for an optional marine and terrestrial field component that will take place in January in Hawaii with a connected 7 week spring course. Additional information about the related trip will be provided in class.

Outcome 1: Describe how digital audio is recorded and stored.

Outcome 2: Create visualizations of sound using the Raven Pro software.

Outcome 3: Identify conservation contexts that are compatible with passive acoustic monitoring.

Outcome 4: Select suitable recording equipment and settings for specific taxonomic groups and habitats.

Outcome 5: Select and implement analytical tools for finding and identifying sounds in long recordings.

Outcome 6: In addition, graduate students will be able to: interpret and evaluate the potential of emerging analysis approaches.

Outcome 7: In addition, graduate students will be able to: analyze and teach others about specific topics in sound analysis.