Detection range and efficiency of acoustic telemetry receivers in a connected wetland system

Abstract Acoustic telemetry is an important tool for assessing the behavioural ecology of aquatic animals, but performance receivers can vary spatially and temporally according to changes in environmental gradients. Studies testing detection efficiency and/ or range are, therefore, data interpretation, although most thorough range-testing approaches are often costly impractical, such as use fixed sentinel tags. Here, stationary tag (from study animals that had either died expelled their tags) provided a substitute long-term monitoring receiver wetland environment was complemented by periodic boat-based testing, with effects variables (water temperature, conductivity, transparency, precipitation, wind speed, acoustic noise) on (DE) (DR). Stationary DE highly variable temporally, influential factors being water temperature precipitation. Transparency strong predictor DR dependent chlorophyll concentration (a surrogate measure algal density). These results highlight value assessments performance. The high seasonal variability emphasises need enable robust conclusions be drawn from data.