New Open-Access Book Release: Marine Mammal Acoustics in a Noisy Ocean. Exploring the sounds of marine life and the challenges of a changing acoustic environment.
A new open-access publication, Marine Mammal Acoustics in a Noisy Ocean has been released, providing an essential resource for anyone interested in understanding how marine mammals communicate, navigate, and survive in an increasingly noisy Ocean.
The ocean is far from silent. Alongside natural sounds from waves, weather, and marine life, human activities, from shipping and seismic surveys to offshore construction and military sonar, contribute to a growing acoustic footprint beneath the surface. This book highlights the fascinating world of marine mammal bioacoustics, unpacking how different species use sound, how they hear, and how noise pollution is shaping their lives. The book covers a range of topics:
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Fundamentals of Ocean Acoustics: Understand the physics of sound underwater and the diverse natural and human-made sources of ocean noise.
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The Voices of Marine Mammals: Explore the unique vocalisations of Mysticetes (baleen whales), Odontocetes (toothed whales and dolphins), Pinnipeds (seals and sea lions), Sirenians (manatees and dugongs), and otters.
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Impacts of Noise on Marine Mammals: Learn how sound affects their physiology, communication, navigation, and survival, from subtle behavioural changes to population-level consequences.
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Management and Mitigation: Gain insights into tools and strategies used to reduce the impacts of anthropogenic noise on marine ecosystems.
This comprehensive volume offers valuable knowledge for those wishing to deepen their understanding of how marine mammals interact with sound, global efforts to protect their habitats and maintain healthy ocean soundscapes.
The Marine Mammals Management Toolkit provides several relevant resources, including factsheets and good practices on noise pollution and management, highly complimenting the book managers and practitioners seeking science-based guidance.
Access the book here: Marine Mammal Acoustics in a Noisy Ocean