Bioacoustics potential as a tool for counting diffcult-to-access species : The case of the rock ptarmigan (Lagopus muta)

• Main Author: Marin-Cudraz, Thibaut
• Other Authors: Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay (NeuroPSI), Université Paris-Sud - Paris 11 (UP11)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université de Lyon, Nicolas Mathevon, Frédéric Sèbe
• Format: Doctoral or Postdoctoral Thesis
• Language: French
• Published: HAL CCSD 2019
• Subjects: Acoustic monitoring of populations; Listening point; Individual signature; Bioacoustics; Ecology; Rock Ptarmigan; Lagopus muta; Suivi acoustique des populations; Point d’écoute; Signature individuelle; Bioacoustique; Ecologie; Lagopède alpin; [SDE.BE]Environmental Sciences/Biodiversity and Ecology; rock ptarmigan
• Online Access: https://theses.hal.science/tel-02894049; https://theses.hal.science/tel-02894049/document; https://theses.hal.science/tel-02894049/file/These-Thibaut-Marin-Cudraz-2019.pdf

Population censuses of male rock ptarmigans (Lagopus muta) are conducted by point count protocol in spring (late May - early June). Several observers are placed at given points within the area and spend an hour listening to singing males to try to deduce an estimate of their number. The counting conditions are diffcult and cast doubt on the good representativeness of this protocol.The first objective of this thesis was to quantify the counting biases. The thesis then focused on finding ways to develop new counting methods to compensate for the biases of traditional counting. The acoustic signals emitted by animals carry several levels of information, such as the identity of the transmitter. The second part of my thesis showed that bioacoustic techniques based on acoustic differences in vocalizations were suitable to ptarmigan and that it was possible to determine the number of males in an area using the sounds they produce. The third part of the thesis is a generalization of the method on longterm recordings under real field conditions. It was not only possible to obtain the number of males but also the time of presence of each male and to assess his reproductive status.In conclusion, I showed the interest of the bioacoustic tool to monitor ptarmigan’s populations. My thesis opens up perspectives for futur large scale temporal and spatial monitoring of ptarmigan’s populations. Les recensements de populations de lagopèdes alpin (Lagopus muta) mâles se font par points d’écoute au printemps (fin mai – début juin). Plusieurs observateurs se placent à des points donnés au sein de la zone à recenser et passent une heure à écouter les mâles chanteurs pour essayer d’en déduire une estimation. Les conditions de comptages sont difficiles et font douter de la bonne représentativité de ce protocole. Le premier objectif de la thèse a été de quantifier les biais du comptage. La thèse s’est donc ensuite attachée à trouver des pistes pour développer de nouvelles méthodes de comptages pour compenser les biais du comptage ...