Studying Acoustic Ecology

A group of students visit Iowa Lakeside Lab in Okoboji to study Acoustic Ecology. Acoustic Ecology is a field that studies the relationship between sound, living things, and their environment. While studying aquatic organisms, students used hydrophones to record sounds of the environment such as boats. Studying acoustic ecology can help determine how sounds impact the behavior of animals. 

• Why are the students recording nature?

• Why might sounds effect animals?
• What is acoustic ecology?
• How does acoustic ecology relate to human impact on the environment?

Students could:

• Brainstorm the various noises caused by humans that might impact the environment around them. 
• Design a campaign (poster, presentation, video, etc.) that features a call to action or solution to a problem related to the phenomena of acoustic ecology.

• The Conversation | Listening to Nature: This article discusses the relationship between environmental change and the soundscape. Specifically, students can read about how sound impacts survival, how sound can be mapped, and how sound ties art, science and community together.
• Acoustical Society of America | Fields of Acoustics: This website features various career paths and topics within the concept of acoustics.
• The World Forum for Acoustical Ecology: Learning about this international organization focused on acoustical ecology research.