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Email the author (Login required) Soundscape of a management and exploitation area of benthic resources in central Chile
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3856/vol43-issue5-fulltext-19
Abstract
Acoustic ecology is an emerging and poorly known field of research. Soundscape has been used to infer the behavior of several species in different environments and can serve as a reliable indicator of the habitat type and quality; also, it is believed that it is an important factor for larvae orientation in settlement areas. We used the passive acoustic method to evaluate the soundscape of a management and exploitation area of benthic resources, a rocky reef area in central Chile. It was possible to hear a continuous cracking sound during recording and underwater observations. We detected two distinct frequency bands with similar parameters during the night and day, a band between 90 and 300 Hz, which corresponded to the effects of sea waves (geophony), and a frequency band with a range of 1,500 to 2,700 Hz (biophony), with a fundamental frequency of 2,070 Hz. Both bands had similar energy (~88.0 dB re: 1V/µPa). These results show the relevant acoustic activity in the area, which may have important ecological implications for the recruitment of commercially important benthic resources.
