emily finch department of biology calvin college
DESCRIPTION
Turn down the noise: Temporal modification of songbird singing behavior in the presence of punctuated noise events. Emily Finch Department of Biology Calvin College. Hypothesis and Prediction. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Emily FinchDepartment of BiologyCalvin College
TURN DOWN THE NOISE: TEMPORAL MODIFICATION OF SONGBIRD SINGING BEHAVIOR IN THE PRESENCE OF PUNCTUATED NOISE EVENTS
HYPOTHESIS AND PREDICTION If temporal modification is an important
adaptation for persistence in anthropogenic noise, we predict that songbirds will sing more often and with greater regularity during quiet periods of time embedded within experimentally elevated noise than during similar times intervals under control (non-noise) conditions.
OBJECTIVES Determine the effects of road noise on bird
singing patterns Possibility of adaptation
Determine if songbirds will adapt to sing more in quiet gaps Modify behavior to sing more frequently during 1
and 5 minute gaps in noise compared to equivalent gaps in quiet conditions
Or delay vocalization until post-playback conditions
METHODS 6 weeks of data collection
METHODS 6 weeks of data collection
2 experimental sites and 2 control sites per week
METHODS 6 weeks of data collection
2 experimental sites and 2 control sites per week
Focus on forest/forest edge species
METHODS 6 weeks of data collection
2 experimental sites and 2 control sites per week
Focus on forest/forest edge species
3 to 4 days of experiment per week Possibility of acclimation
METHODS 6 weeks of data collection
2 experimental sites and 2 control sites per week
Focus on forest/forest edge species
3 to 4 days of experiment per week
Each site 350+ meters apart
SITE LAYOUT
Speaker
Passive recorder
~50 meters
25 meters
Control has passive recorder, but no playback setup
NOISE PLAYBACK
10 min pre
10 min post
5 min 1 min
Ramp
DAILY PROCEDURE Point counts
System Test
Enter point counts
Analyze recordings, focus on the gaps
• 10 minutes • Top 20 forest species • Note distance • Check the unknown species• Purpose
DAILY PROCEDURE Point counts
System Test
Enter point counts
Analyze recordings, focus on the gaps
• Run sound playback and check speakers
• Change out the battery
DAILY PROCEDURE Point counts
System Test
Enter point counts
Analyze recordings, focus on the gaps
• Species and distance• Other factors: wind,
temperature, clouds, time
DAILY PROCEDURE Point counts
System Test
Enter point counts
Analyze recordings, focus on the gaps
• Cut gaps • Count number of songs
per species
CALCULATING THE RESULTS Finish data collection (1 week remaining) Count all 1 and 5 minute gaps and 10 minute
post-playback
CALCULATING THE RESULTS Finish data collection (1 week remaining) Count all 1 and 5 minute gaps and 10 minute
post-playback
Then… Choose focal species
In the lead: REVI, AMRO, EAWP, TUTI, ACFL, COYE Compare 1 and 5 minute gaps in control and
experimental conditions Calculate song rate in 10 minute post
playback
POSSIBLE OUTCOMES Birds sing more in silent windows during noise
playback than during equivalent gaps under control conditions
Birds vocalize less in noisy conditions than in quiet conditions
Under noisy conditions, birds will leave the area
As time progresses, bird singing patterns change indicating that they are able to or not able to adjust to noisy conditions
CONCLUSION The information gathered from this study can
help influence road construction.
Bird adaptability can be used in conservation efforts when planning roadways