Acoustic indices

Acoustic indices are measurements used to analyze and summarize sounds in an environment, like a forest or city, through recordings. They help scientists understand the diversity, activity, and health of ecosystems by quantifying patterns in sound data. For example, a high acoustic richness suggests many different sounds, indicating a healthy, vibrant environment, while lower values might point to less diversity or disturbed areas. These indices allow for efficient, non-intrusive monitoring of ecosystems over time, offering insights into biodiversity, seasonality, and human impact without the need for direct observation.