Soundscapes & Climate Change

Working in the May River, South Carolina (USA) with Loggerhead's passive acoustic recorders, a team from the University of South Carolina Beaufort conducted a six-year study which found acoustic activity of snapping shrimp and certain fish species occurred earlier in years with warmer springs.

This research shows that sound production in snapping shrimp and soniferous fish species could serve as potential underwater indicators of climate-driven changes in spring phenology.  Soundscape research has the potential to provide insight into the response and resiliency of individual species and their behaviors.