Contribution
Three-Dimensional Volume Estimation of Automated Ultrasonic Detectors for Acoustic Bat Monitoring
* Presenting author
Abstract:
Monitoring bat activity is typically performed by placing an Automated Ultrasonic Detector (AUD) at a designated location. Current AUDs can detect bats with a peak Sound Pressure Level (SPL) of 110 dB within a radius of approximately 40 m at 20 kHz and 20 m at 40 kHz. Several factors, such as geometric and atmospheric attenuation, as well as the sensitivity and directionality of the AUD's microphone, influence the covered 3D volume, making it difficult to compare bat activities between different species.In this study, we apply both geometric and atmospheric attenuation models to estimate the 3D volume covered by an AUD. In addition, we consider the effect of the microphones’ directional response and sensitivity to calculate the 3D volume of several AUDs. Our results will help researchers and surveyors to better estimate bat activities based on the bats' peak SPL frequency.