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Context: 

By analysing wildlife sounds, Artificial intelligence can now provide unique insights into the characteristics, behaviours and habitats of wildlife animals without having to disturb them.

What is Bioacoustics?

It is the cross-disciplinary science of combined study of biology and acoustics.

It studies sound production, dispersion or transmission and reception in wildlife and humans by examining the neurophysiological and anatomical basis of sound production and detection.

Examples of Animal Bioacoustics

Dolphins: They use high-frequency clicks for echolocation.

Bats: They utilize ultrasound for echolocation.

Elephants: They communicate ground vibrations of low frequency.

Marine Worms and Shrimps: They produce popping sounds with high decibel values. (Ex. Leocratides kimuraorum at 157 dB).

Plant Bioacoustics

Plants produce and respond to sounds.

Research also suggests plants may have acoustic responses but further research is underway.

Significance of Bioacoustics 

Underwater Acoustics: 

The use of acoustics in sound propagation in water by marine animals to understand communication among marine animals.

It uses sonar to estimate biomass and study underwater life.

This is especially important because light is limited underwater but sound propagates further. This makes the sound essential for marine communication.

Biotremology: 

It is the study of substrate-borne vibrations, which is particularly used by terrestrial animals. 

It involves the study of the production, dispersion and reception of various vibrations by organisms, and their effect on animal behaviour. 

Vibrations can represent vibrational or seismic communication or cues used. Ex. in locating prey.

It has various uses as depicted in the picture below: 

Detection of animal sounds outside of hearing range

The human ear detects sounds in the range between 20 Hz and 20,000 Hz.

Anything outside this range can not be heard by a human ear.

Animal sounds vary widely and they are often outside human hearing limits. Animal acoustics can be used to detect and understand these sounds. 

Health Management of Wildlife and Livestocks: 

Bioacoustics can be applied to understand the voices of sound of animals which helps in Understanding their situation and managing wildlife and livestock.

Bioacoustics can be revolutionary technology if it is combined with AI in various economic and environmental initiatives.

Sources:

PHYS.ORG

WLA

RESEARCHGATE.NET