By Darren S. Proppe
Image Credit: Greg Lasley
Wild Basin visitors often ask questions about sounds they have heard while hiking the trails. Some of these questions can be answered through an exhibit in our nature center, which showcases bird songs heard in our landscape. Sound, it turns out, is one of the best ways to identify which animals are roaming our preserve – because we rarely see them. Animals rely heavily on these sounds too. They use sound to avoid confrontation and predators, and for finding mates and food. Because sound is so important in the natural world, many scientists focus their careers on the study of sounds in nature, known as acoustic ecology.
In mid-February, a group of such scientists gathered for a two-day training at Wild Basin to explore some of the latest, cutting-edge technology for recording and analyzing sound. About 25 professionals attended the training, including representatives from Texas Parks & Wildlife, US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Forest Service, US Geological Service, St Edward’s University, Texas A&M University, and Texas State University. A large number of private organizations and consulting firms were also represented. Many participants were local but some traveled from Louisiana, Kansas, and even California. The animals of interest ranged from bats and birds to frogs and small mammals. The free training was skillfully conducted by staff from Wildlife Acoustics, a worldwide leader in the development of the hardware and software used to support those who study sound.
The training provided by Wildlife Acoustics enhances the ability of acoustic ecologists to find, measure, and describe animal sounds. In addition, the range of different institutions participating in the event gives an indication of the excellent work that is being done within our region and across the country to understand the role of sound in animal ecology. Here at Wild Basin, our soundscape is a mix of animal noises and human-produced sounds. Sadly, the noises that we make, such as the sounds of a highway, may disturb important acoustic communication processes used by animals. To understand our soundscape better, we are in the initial stages of launching a recording project designed to characterize and map animal and human sounds across our 227-acres preserve. This project will reveal how these two types of sounds interact and set up a foundation for measuring how the soundscape changes over time. Look for results, and hopefully a really cool map, in the not too distant future. In the meantime, let us know what you hear when you are here.