Combining acoustic localisation and high-resolution land cover classification to study predator vocalisation behaviour ...

• Main Authors: Bru, E, Smith, BR, Butkiewicz, H, Fontaine, AC, Dassow, A, Owens, JL, Root-Gutteridge, H, Schindler, L, Kershenbaum, A
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: CSIRO Publishing 2023
• Subjects: anthropogenic disturbance; bioacoustics; Canis latrans; Canis lupus; habitat selection; howl; multilateration; passive acoustic monitoring; remote sensing
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.17863/cam.93627; https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/346207

Context The ecology of cryptic animals is difficult to study without invasive tagging approaches or labour-intensive field surveys. Acoustic localisation provides an effective way to locate vocalising animals using acoustic recorders. Combining this with land cover classification gives new insight into wild animal behaviour using non-invasive tools. Aims This study aims to demonstrate how acoustic localisation – combined with high-resolution land cover classification – permits the study of the ecology of vocalising animals in the wild. We illustrate this technique by investigating the effect of land cover and distances to anthropogenic features on coyote and wolf vocal behaviour. Methods We collected recordings over 13 days in Wisconsin, USA, and triangulated vocalising animals’ locations using acoustic localisation. We then mapped these locations onto land cover using a high-resolution land cover map we produced for the area. Key results Neither coyotes nor wolves vocalised more in one habitat type over ...