(art)scienceblr:Ecophone

A study in bioacoustics and biodiversity

The preservation of natural soundscapes is now a recognized conservation goal.

To this effect, research into Bioacoustics and soundscape analysis is fast emerging as a useful tool to study the health of a an ecosystem. By functioning as a rough measure of biodiversity and ecosystem health, acoustic sampling can help conservationists gather evidence to see if conservation efforts are working.

Since we create spaces of dialogue and interaction between artists, designers and scientists, and much of our work involves sound, this project is being developed as one that creates a space to explore the natural and not so natural sounds in our daily lives. We will focus on the sound profiles that directly translate to the health of an ecosystem and how they might affect us as well.

It will include one or more installations, workshops and bat and frog walks, to record, analyse, and listen to soundscapes. We will develop in house, low-cost tools to record and use the acoustical data we need and also how it can be used for citizen science initiatives.

The project will be based on the work and research of scientists as the IISC and NCBS. Some useful links and papers that provides insight into bioacoustics are -