Acoustic Ecology of European Bats
Species Identification, Study of their Habitats and Foraging Behaviour
9782856537718
Distributed for French National Museum Natural History
Acoustic Ecology of European Bats
Species Identification, Study of their Habitats and Foraging Behaviour
As nocturnal flying mammals, bats have developed a unique and very efficient means of navigating in the dark: sonar, or echolocation. Although the acoustic signals they emit are inaudible to the human ear, they can be perceived, recorded, and analyzed with appropriate equipment and software. In this book, Michel Barataud synthesizes more than two decades of research on acoustic ecology and bat sonar physics and detection. Highlighting technological advances, Barataud shows how he has developed an ever more efficient identification method using an initial, purely auditory approach (a “bat detector”) complemented by computer-assisted analysis of the ultrasonic signals. By following Barataud’s method and the data provided, readers will be able to identify about 85% of European bat acoustic records, including all the most widespread species, as well as carry out non-invasive bat inventories and research. Including a DVD of more than 300 audio samples and scatter diagrams of sonar emissions to aid in species identification, and featuring a contribution by bat sonar pioneer Yves Tupinier, Acoustic Ecology of European Bats will be an invaluable resource for all scientists of Chiroptera.
352 pages | 233 color plates, 29 tables | 6 1/2 x 9 3/4 | © 2015
Biological Sciences: Natural History

Reviews
Table of Contents
Preface by Hans-Ulrich Schnitzler
Preface by Ingemar Ahlén
Acknowledgements
Foreword
List of species
Glossary
List of abbreviations
Chapter 1: The biological sonar
Background
Basic concepts in acoustics
Emission and reception
Chapter 2: Ultrasound detectors
Technical features of ultrasound detectors
Ultrasound decoding systems
Which bat detector for which purpose?
Chapter 3: The sonar signals of bats: classification and interpretation
Method of auditory analysis
Méthode d’analyse informatique
Chapter 4: The acoustic identification of bats
Method and equipment
Auditory identification with the heterodyne system
Auditory and computer-assisted identification in time expansion
Identification of CF signals (horsehoe bats)
Identification of OCF-FMd signals
Identification of QCF, FM-QCF and Flat-ended FM signals
General identification key
Chapter 5: Applications
Locating bat roosts
Population monitoring
Habitat studies
Chapter 6: Acoustic ecology
The concept of acoustic ecology
Example 1: the sonar of the barbastelle
Example 2: the sonar of the greater noctule
Promising fields for future research
Chapter 7: Frequently asked questions on acoustic detection and identification
The heterodyne system
Time expansion
Scatter diagrams
Bat activities studies
Chapter 8: Perspectives
Technical developments
Methodological developments
Extending the method worldwide
Dissemination of knowledge and skill
Appendices
Bibliography
Scatter diagrams for the identification of the sonar signals of the three Plecotus species studies
Index
Preface by Ingemar Ahlén
Acknowledgements
Foreword
List of species
Glossary
List of abbreviations
Chapter 1: The biological sonar
Background
Basic concepts in acoustics
Emission and reception
Chapter 2: Ultrasound detectors
Technical features of ultrasound detectors
Ultrasound decoding systems
Which bat detector for which purpose?
Chapter 3: The sonar signals of bats: classification and interpretation
Method of auditory analysis
Méthode d’analyse informatique
Chapter 4: The acoustic identification of bats
Method and equipment
Auditory identification with the heterodyne system
Auditory and computer-assisted identification in time expansion
Identification of CF signals (horsehoe bats)
Identification of OCF-FMd signals
Identification of QCF, FM-QCF and Flat-ended FM signals
General identification key
Chapter 5: Applications
Locating bat roosts
Population monitoring
Habitat studies
Chapter 6: Acoustic ecology
The concept of acoustic ecology
Example 1: the sonar of the barbastelle
Example 2: the sonar of the greater noctule
Promising fields for future research
Chapter 7: Frequently asked questions on acoustic detection and identification
The heterodyne system
Time expansion
Scatter diagrams
Bat activities studies
Chapter 8: Perspectives
Technical developments
Methodological developments
Extending the method worldwide
Dissemination of knowledge and skill
Appendices
Bibliography
Scatter diagrams for the identification of the sonar signals of the three Plecotus species studies
Index
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