Monitoring deforestation in the Amazon through sounds

Today’s Video of the Day from NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center describes how scientists are using autonomous sound sensors to monitor deforestation in the Amazon. By recording soundscapes, the experts can determine which animals are present through their distinct sounds. 

Using this method, sounds can be used as scientific measurements to analyze the effects of deforestation. The researchers will gain a better understanding of how the acoustics of a forest can be used to measure its health. 

“From space, parts of the Amazon rainforest that have previously been logged or burned may look lush and green, like a place buzzing with activity and full of sounds. But inside the rainforest, the animal life may tell a different story, of a harsh environment and a quieter soundscape,” says NASA.

Video Credit: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center 

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By Chrissy Sexton, Earth.com Staff Writer