Acoustics in the Cetaceans Environment: A Multimedia Educational Package
Abstract
The Macaulay Library is home to the world's largest collection of animal sounds, including a growing collection of marine sounds whose archival is funded by the Office of Naval Research. The Macaulay Library has an 80 year history of archiving sounds and using those sounds to educate and inform the public about biological diversity and animal communication. In the last few years, the Library has added video production to its public outreach functions. This project, for which we use the working title "Sea-of-Sound" is our most ambitious video outreach project to date. We are developing a documentary on use of sound in the marine environment, both natural and anthropogenic. While many people are aware that whales produce songs, clicks, and whistles, most don't know the extent to which marine mammals use sounds to communicate, survey their environment, and find food. More surprising to many is that the sea is alive with sounds of all kinds, from bubbles in breaking waves and rambling undersea volcanoes, to croaking fish, snapping shrimp, and rasping mollusks. The general public has a poor understanding of how the behavior of sound in marine environments compares with our terrestrial world. They also know little about the critical role sound plays in marine research and marine mammal conservation. While there is increasing public concern over rising levels of anthropogenic noise in the marine environment, there is a lack of comprehensive, broadly disseminated information about sound in the sea. This makes it difficult for the public to make infunded decisions about sound-related marine issues. Working with our partners we will be creating a DVD and web site for classrooms and teachers, as well as the general public. These deliverables will be available in the third year of this project, the beginning of calendar year 2007.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA483017
Entities
People
- Marc S. Dantzker
Organizations
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology