The dynamical complexity of seasonal soundscapes is governed by fish chorusing
Journal
Communications Earth and Environment
Journal Volume
3
Journal Issue
1
Date Issued
2022
Author(s)
Abstract
Passive acoustic monitoring technology can depict underwater soundscapes, yet phenological and seasonal patterns and shifts in soundscapes are still poorly understood. Here we analyse the seasonal soundscape in the Eastern Taiwan Strait in 2017 using nonlinear dynamical complexity modelling. We find an annual phenology of fish chorusing that begins in spring, and peaks in summer before beginning to subside in autumn and becoming silent in winter. During spring and summer, the soundscape exhibited significantly higher complexity and predictability than in autumn and winter, due to the presence of regular fish chorusing. Soundscape dynamics shifted from being nonlinear in spring and summer to being linear and stochastic in autumn and winter. Our findings suggest that soundscapes could be used to measure phenological patterns and seasonal shifts in marine species behaviour. We propose that monitoring soundscapes could help assess the long-term health of marine ecosystems under environmental and climatic change. © 2022, The Author(s).
SDGs
Other Subjects
acoustic method; fish; marine ecosystem; phenology; seasonal variation; underwater noise; Taiwan Strait
Type
journal article