03022nas a2200217 4500008004100000022001400041245010500055210006900160260001600229520213400245653002202379653003402401653001702435653002602452653001402478653001702492653001302509100002302522700002102545856023802566 2019 eng d a2045-775800aTemporally adaptive acoustic sampling to maximize detection across a suite of focal wildlife species0 aTemporally adaptive acoustic sampling to maximize detection acro cOct-08-20203 a

1. Acoustic recordings of the environment can produce species presence–absence data for characterizing populations of sound‐producing wildlife over multiple spatial scales. If a species is present at a site but does not vocalize during a scheduled audio recording survey, researchers may incorrectly conclude that the species is absent (“false negative”). The risk of false negatives is compounded when audio devices have sampling constraints, do not record continuously, and must be manually scheduled to operate at pre‐selected times of day, particularly when research programs target multiple species with acoustic availability that varies across temporal conditions.

2. We developed a temporally adaptive acoustic sampling algorithm to maximize de‐ tection probabilities for a suite of focal species amid sampling constraints. The algorithm combines user‐supplied species vocalization models with site‐specific weather forecasts to set an optimized sampling schedule for the following day. To test our algorithm, we simulated hourly vocalization probabilities for a suite of focal species in a hypothetical monitoring area for the year 2016. We conducted a factorial experiment that sampled from the 2016 acoustic environment to com‐ pare the probability of acoustic detection by a fixed (stationary) schedule versus a temporally adaptive optimized schedule under several sampling efforts and moni‐ toring durations.

3. We found that over the course of a study season, the probability of acoustically capturing a focal species (given presence) at least once via automated acous‐ tic monitoring was greater (and acoustic capture occurred earlier in the season) when using the temporally adaptive optimized schedule as compared to a fixed schedule.

4. The advantages of a temporally adaptive optimized acoustic sampling schedule are magnified when a study duration is short, sampling effort is low, and/or spe‐ cies acoustic availability is minimal. This methodology presents the opportunity to maximize acoustic monitoring sampling efforts amid constraints.

10aadaptive sampling10aautomated acoustic monitoring10abioacoustics10adetection probability10aoccupancy10aoptimization10awildlife1 aBalantic, Cathleen1 aDonovan, Therese uhttps://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ece3.5579https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/ece3.5579https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/ece3.5579https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full-xml/10.1002/ece3.557902008nas a2200133 4500008004100000245012400041210006900165260001600234520150600250100002301756700002801779700002401807856004301831 2018 eng d00aCost-benefit analysis of acoustic recorders as a solution to sampling challenges experienced monitoring cryptic species0 aCostbenefit analysis of acoustic recorders as a solution to samp cFeb-06-20193 a

The inferences that can be made from any study are limited by the quality of the sampling design. By bad luck, when monitoring species that are difficult to detect (cryptic), sampling designs become dictated by what is feasible rather than what is desired. We calibrated and conducted a cost‐benefit analysis of four acoustic recorder options that were being considered as potential solutions to several sampling restrictions experienced while monitoring the Australasian bittern, a cryptic wetland bird. Such sampling restrictions are commonly experienced while monitoring many different endangered species, particularly those that are cryptic. The recorder options included mono and stereo devices, with two sound file processing options (visual and audible analysis). Recording devices provided call‐count data similar to those collected by field observers but at a fraction of the cost, which meant that “idealistic” sampling regimes, previously thought to be too expensive, became feasible for bitterns. Our study is one of the few to assess the monetary value of recording devices in the context of data quality, allowing trade‐offs (and potential solutions) commonly experienced while monitoring cryptic endangered species to be shown and compared more clearly. The ability to overcome challenges of monitoring cryptic species in this way increases research possibilities for data deficient species and is applicable to any species with similar monitoring challenges.

1 aWilliams, Emma, M.1 aO'Donnell, Colin, F. J.1 aArmstrong, Doug, P. uhttp://doi.wiley.com/10.1002/ece3.4199