A team of scientists from the University of La Laguna (ULL) has developed one of the first systems of monitoring acoustics underwater of the world in real time, called MASE, which has already been used to evaluate the soundscape of Gando Bay, in Gran Canaria.
As explained in the project, the tool in question represents a great advance for research because with the previous existing devices it was necessary to subsequently process the data rescued from the study area.
In this sense, the data obtained allows us to evaluate the acoustic environment of the environment and analyze the health of underwater ecosystems. The design of MASE (Acoustic Monitor for Sound Environment and Energy) has been created by the Research Group: Physical bioacoustics and distributed multi-sensors, within the framework of the CanBio program and with the collaboration of Loro Parque Fundación.
The MASE has been developed from the doctoral thesis of Iván Rodríguez Méndez, from the University of La Laguna, which has been defended at the Higher School of Engineering and Technology and in which he explains a system that claims to be “a pioneer in the world.” ” for passive acoustic monitoring of animal species.
Likewise, from April 2020 to October 2021, MASE has carried out continuous monitoring of the soundscape in Gando Bay (Gran Canaria) with the buoys of the CanBio project.
In a press release, the CanBio program reports that this capture of the soundscape continuously provides valuable information for designing conservation strategies, as well as for making informed decisions to protect species and ecosystems.
Rodríguez’s conclusions in his doctoral thesis have highlighted the current viability of low-cost, long-term acoustic observation in the open sea. In addition, the doctoral student has highlighted the improvements made in the modular design, which have helped consume less energy and offer a higher sampling frequency than traditional sensors.
The biggest challenge of this work, Rodríguez says in the note, has been developing the sensors from the beginning, and he recalled that at the beginning of the research, in 2018, the technology that has been developed in the thesis was not available. Also included in the presentation are the SmartBirds and SmartNode systems.
The first of them seeks to characterize terrestrial soundscapes by performing real-time calculations of acoustic indices and identifying more than one hundred Canary birds with artificial intelligence.
For its part, SmartNode, an instrument tested at the Loro Parque facilities, studies diurnal and seasonal patterns in the acoustic activity of killer whales, which will contribute to greater knowledge of the species’ communication.
