Listening for Lemurs: Translating Black-and-White Ruffed Lemur (Varecia variegata) Vocalizations into Conservation Insights Through Acoustic Monitoring

Author

Carly H. Batist, The Graduate Center, City University of New YorkFollow

Date of Degree

6-2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Program

Anthropology

Advisor

Andrea Baden

Committee Members

Shahrina Chowdhoury

David Lahti

Emmanuel Dufourq

Subject Categories

Behavior and Ethology | Data Science | Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology | Zoology

Keywords

ecoacoustics, bioacoustics, biodiversity monitoring, Madagascar

Abstract

The field of bioacoustic monitoring has undergone a significant evolution in recent years, driven by technological innovations that have revolutionized how researchers study animal vocalizations. Traditionally, bioacoustics was rooted in active acoustic monitoring (AAM), involving human observers using recorders in the field to study animal sounds and understand species' vocal communication. However, the emergence of passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) has introduced a new complementary approach, utilizing specialized recorders placed in ecosystems to autonomously capture sounds at wide spatial and temporal scales. My dissertation adopts a translational approach to bioacoustic monitoring, integrating both AAM and PAM techniques to study and survey the Critically Endangered black-and-white ruffed lemur (Varecia variegata). Conservation of this Critically-Endangered species is vital to preserving Madagascar’s rainforests as they are key pollinators and seed dispersers. I first used AAM techniques to analyze the ruffed lemur vocal repertoire and call usage, providing foundational knowledge for the subsequent PAM study. I then deployed autonomous recorders across a little-surveyed rainforest corridor and developed a machine learning detection model to identify lemur calls in these continuous recordings. These call detections were then used in occupancy models to determine ruffed lemur presence and estimate their distribution throughout the corridor, critical information for assessing the status of populations and informing conservation efforts. Overall, this dissertation underscores the power in combining active and passive bioacoustic monitoring to generate comprehensive ecological and conservation insights. By leveraging behavioral ecology to inform monitoring protocols, this research both advances our understanding of ruffed lemur vocal communication, facilitates up-to-date surveys, and informs conservation initiatives.

Recommended Citation

Batist, Carly H., "Listening for Lemurs: Translating Black-and-White Ruffed Lemur (Varecia variegata) Vocalizations into Conservation Insights Through Acoustic Monitoring" (2024). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gc_etds/5727