Relationship between acoustic indices, length of recordings and processing time: a methodological test

Ecoacoustic approaches have the potential to provide rapid biodiversity assessments and avoid costly fieldwork. Their use in studies for improving management conservation of natural landscapes has grown considerably recent years. Standardised methods sampling acoustic information that deliver reliable consistent results within between ecosystems are still lacking. Sampling frequency duration particularly important considerations because shorter, intermittent recordings mean recorder batteries last longer data processing is less computationally intensive, but a smaller proportion available soundscape sampled. Here, we compare indices time subsamples increasing clipped from 94 one-hour recordings, test how different behave, order identify minimum sample length required. Our suggest short distributed across survey period accurately represent patterns, while optimizing collection processing. ACI H most stable indices, showing an ideal schedule ten 1-minute samples hour. Although ADI, AEI NDSI well patterns under same schedule, these more robust continuous recording formats. Such targeted subsampling could greatly reduce storage computational power requirements large-scale long-term projects.