MQUTeR Environmental Workbench

Understanding the effects that humans have on the environment is becoming increasingly important as the world recognises the impact of global climate change and potential loss of biological diversity. It is becoming critical to provide scientists with the ability to rapidly and accurately collect and analyse data to assess ecological health. Acoustic sensing is an effective tool for monitoring species that have regular and predictable vocalisations, and offers an enduring record to allow for future interpretation of results.

The MQUTeR Sensor Analysis Team collects acoustic data for environmental monitoring for a range of projects, including investigating rare birds, koala behaviour, and monitoring Samford Valley's environment.

Sound is collected using either our acoustic sensor network (which uploads data automatically to this site), or via recorders (users upload their data here manually). This portal provides an interface for users to access the acoustic data collected from sensors (which are located throughout Queensland), tag sounds of interest and perform various types of analysis. The interface provides the following core functionality:

• Data upload
• Data organisation providing a structured view of acoustic data
• Sensor recording playback and visualisation
• Data analysis and annotation

The example below demonstrates a key attribute of the 'Listen to Audio' page: the ability to listen to and visualise a recording acquired using sensors in the field. In the recording below, a male and female koala interact on St Bees Island (interaction starts about 1:25 into the 2 minute recording).