#Bioacoustics Course Outline
10.00-11.00 Session 1 – Introduction to bioacoustics - uses, data and metadata
- Lecture - introduction to bioacoustics
11.00-12.00 Session 2 – Introduction to hardware, software and surveys
- Lecture - hardware, software and surveys
13:00-15:00 Session 3 – Analysing bat data using Kaleidoscope Pro
- Lecture - bat calls and Kaleidoscope Pro
- Kaleidoscope Pro workshop
10.00-12.00 Session 4 – Analysing sound using Audacity and R
- Lecture - sound parameters and spectrogram 'shapes'
- Audacity sound workshop
- R sound workshop
13:00-15:00 Session 5 – Interpreting bioacoustic data
- R data workshop
10.00-12.00 Session 6 – Acoustic Indices using R and Kaleidoscope
- Lecture - Acoustic Indices
- Acoustic Indices with Kaleidoscope
- Acoustic Indices with R
13:00-14:30 Session 7 – Spatial acoustic data
- R spatial workshop
14:30-15:00 Course roundup and finish
##Course Overview
This course will introduce and explain the different applications for bioacoustics to answer ecological questions.
Starting with an overview of methods of data collecting in the field, this course will then go on to show delegates methods for analysing and interpreting different types of bioacoustic data.
By the end of the course, attendees will have the capacity to set up and deploy recording devices, download acoustic data, know how to analyse this data and report the results.
Bioacoustic methods are becoming increasingly recognised as a valuable approach for ecological surveying. Bioacoustics can be used to effectively replace some current techniques whilst increasing the quality of the data collected or used in unison to compliment them. They are particularly useful for developing long-term, permanent datasets that can be independently reviewed, particularly for rare species with low detectability, or when working in difficult environments.
The course will provide a practical introduction to bioacoustics methods, with a mix of lectures and practical workshops, and some optional fieldwork. It will start with a basic introduction to sound and recording theory, before developing hands-on skills in setting-up and deploying a range of acoustic and ultrasonic audio recorders.
Workshops will then cover the download and analysis of audio data, using R, Kaleidoscope Pro and Audacity software.
Example data sets will mostly cover applications for bat and bird surveys, as well as the use of Acoustic Indices as biodiversity metrics.
Intended Audience
This course is suitable for anyone working with bioacoustics from those in academia, conservation biology and monitoring and persons in industry and government.