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Event Type
Research Presentation
Academic Department
Biology, Environmental Studies
Start Date
5-2021 12:00 AM
Description
Acoustic monitoring is the easiest way to observe what anurans (frogs and toads) are present in an area. As anurans are highly sensitive to environmental changes, determining which ones populate which places can be particularly insightful into the health of an ecosystem. This study surveyed two locations, Oyster Pond and a wetland, on the campus of Hollins University for the magnitude of anuran calls, during which particular environmental factors were recorded. AudioMoth listening devices were deployed in the two locations as well, to determine if there was any difference in the efficacy of human vs machine listening. Spring Peepers (Pseudacriscrucifer) were the most prominent species heard, and they seemed to prefer moon phases with less light as well as cooler temperatures. They seemed to show higher rates of vocalization when wind indexes were on the extreme low or high end and when the sky index was partly cloudy or cloudy. The AudioMoth listening devices seemed on average to record lower calling rates when compared to human collected data, however the difference was statistically insignificant (p-value of 0.95). Additional surveillance and monitoring of anuran activity across different locations on the campus of Hollins University may provide additional insight into how anuran species, namely P. crucifer, are affected by changes in weather, temperature, moon phase, and other environmental factors.
Acoustic Monitoring Method and Environmental Factors Influence Spring Peeper Calling On the Hollins University Campus
Acoustic monitoring is the easiest way to observe what anurans (frogs and toads) are present in an area. As anurans are highly sensitive to environmental changes, determining which ones populate which places can be particularly insightful into the health of an ecosystem. This study surveyed two locations, Oyster Pond and a wetland, on the campus of Hollins University for the magnitude of anuran calls, during which particular environmental factors were recorded. AudioMoth listening devices were deployed in the two locations as well, to determine if there was any difference in the efficacy of human vs machine listening. Spring Peepers (Pseudacriscrucifer) were the most prominent species heard, and they seemed to prefer moon phases with less light as well as cooler temperatures. They seemed to show higher rates of vocalization when wind indexes were on the extreme low or high end and when the sky index was partly cloudy or cloudy. The AudioMoth listening devices seemed on average to record lower calling rates when compared to human collected data, however the difference was statistically insignificant (p-value of 0.95). Additional surveillance and monitoring of anuran activity across different locations on the campus of Hollins University may provide additional insight into how anuran species, namely P. crucifer, are affected by changes in weather, temperature, moon phase, and other environmental factors.