Humans primarily use light to perceive and understand their surroundings. But what happens in environments where light is scarce, such as underwater? In marine ecosystems, sound travels far more efficiently than light, making it the primary means by which many aquatic species interact with their environment. Most underwater species rely on sound rather than vision to navigate, communicate, and survive.

Marine soundscapes offer a cost-effective, non-invasive way to monitor these environments over long periods. By passively recording sound, researchers can track geophysical events, weather patterns, human activities, and animal behaviour without disturbing the ecosystem. Comparing soundscapes over time allows for the assessment of habitat quality and environmental changes.

The broadband acoustic network continuously records sounds between 10 Hz and 50 kHz, capturing geophonic sounds, most anthropogenic noise (excluding sonar and seabed mapping technologies), and biophonic events. For higher-frequency sounds, the Cetacean Passive Acoustic Network monitors harbour porpoise clicks (120–145 kHz, typically 132 kHz). Additionally, a dedicated sensor network tracks bats, passively recording their echolocation calls, which they use for navigation and foraging.

By listening to the soundscape, we gain a deeper understanding of marine and coastal ecosystems, paving the way for better conservation and management efforts.

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