Developing bio-acoustic monitoring: can current challenges be overcome?

Description

Measuring and monitoring faunal biodiversity across large scales is a challenge, especially for the smaller sized taxa such as invertebrates, and those active below-ground. A growing trend in ecology is to use the sounds of an area to non-invasively monitor species: providing information regarding spatial and temporal distribution of biodiversity, abundance, and the richness and composition of the community. Metrics (e.g. acoustic complexity) can quantify the sounds present and link these to diversity of the ecosystem. This technique is becoming standard in aquatic and above-ground temperate systems focussed on fish, bats, birds and anurans, but is yet to be explored fully below-ground and for invertebrates.

Working along disturbance gradients (principally grazing pressure) and across savanna habitats, this project seeks to advance the field of bio-acoustics by determining the potential of this sampling approach for quantifying invertebrate diversity both above and below-ground.

Novelty and Timeliness

Whilst a few sensors have been used to explore biotic signals in soil, none offer a reliable, cost-effective solution; a road-block in the current utility of acoustics for ground monitoring. This project will develop soil sensors and use AI-driven data processing offering the potential to develop a novel and widely applicable technology to aid conservation and biodiversity understanding.

Objectives

1. Explore the potential of above and below-ground terrestrial bioacoustics sampling and biodiversity quantification.

2. Determine if acoustic diversity indices can reflect true diversity by comparing biodiversity data from acoustic recording units, with that from field sampling and eDNA.

3. Determine to what extent differences in savanna habitats can be detected with bioacoustics biodiversity measures.

Based in the savanna landscapes surrounding Mount Kenya, the PhD student will work closely with the project CASE partner, Natural State (www.naturalstate.org), to refine the research questions and develop the field sampling design. Natural State will provide in-country support.

HOW TO APPLY

Notes and details of how to apply are available here: https://accedtp.ac.uk/acce-dtp-phd-opportunities-at-university-of-liverpool/

All applicants to ACCE must complete the ACCE personal statement proforma. This is instead of a normal personal/supporting statement/cover letter. The proforma is designed to standardise this part of the application to minimise the difference between those who are given support and those who are not.

The ACCE DTP is committed to recruiting extraordinary future scientists regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation or career pathway to date. We understand that commitment and excellence can be shown in many ways and have built our recruitment process to reflect this. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, particularly those underrepresented in science, who have curiosity, creativity and a drive to learn new skills.

Informal enquiries may be made to 

Availability

Open to students worldwide

Funding information

Funded studentship

NERC ACCE DTP in Ecology and Evolution, programme starts October 2023.
UKRI provide the following funding for 3.5 years:
• Stipend (2022/23 UKRI rate £17,668)
• Tuition Fees at UK fee rate (2022/23 rate £4,596)
• Research support and training grant (RTSG)
Note - UKRI funding only covers UK (Home) fees (£4,596 at 2022/23 rate). A limited number of international fee bursaries will be awarded on a competitive basis. However, if selected International and EU fee rate candidates may need to cover the remaining amount of tuition fees by securing additional funding. International fees for 2022/23 entry were £25,950 (full time) per annum.

Supervisors