Acoustic Sampling Protocol

Passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) is an increasingly valuable tool in biodiversity assessments, offering a scalable and non-invasive approach to characterizing ecological communities. This protocol outlines the practical steps for the use of AudioMoth devices in PAM. It includes instructions for configuring recording schedules using the AudioMoth Configuration App, preparing the devices (e.g., inserting SD cards, ensuring power supply), and deploying them securely in the field to minimize environmental interference and theft risk. Guidelines are also provided for retrieving the devices, securing the data, and maintaining hardware between deployments. This method supports scalable, standardized biodiversity monitoring by enabling consistent and replicable acoustic data collection across study sites.