Can you hear me now? Estuarine soundscapes and their role in larval settlement

这项研究的总体目标是通过描述河口声景的时空变化，促进我们对水下声在生物海洋学中作用的总体理解，并确定这种变化是否影响无脊椎动物幼虫的定居。研究人员将使用北卡罗来纳州帕姆利科海湾的双壳幼体和潮下牡蛎礁作为研究系统。将使用现场和实验室实验相结合的方法来测试声音对幼虫行为和定居的影响。水下声波环境有可能为所有水生动物提供有意义的感觉信息。声信号的传播距离相对较远，存在于所有深度，反映了环境的生物和物理特征，而其他信号(如光、化学物质)则从源中迅速衰减。声音被公认为海洋哺乳动物和鱼类的定向和栖息地选择线索，最近已成为幼虫定居的潜在重要因素。建设将水下声音传播的地球物理方面与生态和海洋过程相结合的能力(知识、专门知识、设备)是对海洋系统中幼虫连通性和招募的生物物理研究的核心。它还使我们了解海洋中噪声污染的潜在不利影响，并可能阐明海洋保护区未经检验的好处--最终导致更健康和更好地管理海洋和河口。该项目支持研究生、博士后和本科生培训，以及跨越地方、地区和国家各级的教育推广计划。水下声音及其生物学意义引起了广大听众的兴趣，并将被用来突出这一跨学科科学的令人兴奋的本质，途径是：(I)一个教育网站，允许参观者体验生物和非生物的河口声音，并了解它们在环境中的作用；(Ii)声音文件将提供给NSF赞助的野生音乐巡回展览，以及北卡罗来纳大学格林斯伯勒分校的生物/UPBeats计划；(Iii)将河口声景课程整合到由Carteret县领导的NCSU/CMAST的科学学院，NC学校系统和目标中学生，(4)数据和结果将用于东南COSEE项目对教师的培训。

The overall goal of this study is to advance our general understanding of the role of underwater sound in biological oceanography by characterizing spatiotemporal variation in an estuarine soundscape, and determine if this variation affects the settlement of larval invertebrates. The investigators will use larval bivalves and subtidal oyster reefs in Pamlico Sound, North Carolina as a study system. A combination of field and laboratory experiments will be used to test the effects of sound on larval behaviors and settlement. The underwater sonic environment has the potential to provide meaningful sensory information to all aquatic animals. Acoustic signals are transmitted relatively large distances, are present at all depths, and reflect biological and physical characteristics of the environment, while other cues (e.g. light, chemicals) are rapidly attenuated from the source. Sound is well established as an orientation and habitat selection cue for marine mammals and fishes, and has recently emerged as a potentially important contributor to larval settlement. Building capacity (knowledge, expertise, equipment) for integrating geophysical aspects of underwater sound propagation with ecological and oceanographic processes is central to bio-physical studies of larval connectivity and recruitment in marine systems. It also informs our understanding of the potential adverse effects of noise pollution in the ocean and may elucidate untested benefits of marine reserves - ultimately leading to healthier and better managed oceans and estuaries. The project supports graduate, postdoctoral and undergraduate student training, as well as educational outreach programs that span local, regional and national levels. Underwater sounds and their biological implications are of interest to a wide audience, and will be used to highlight the exciting nature of this inter-disciplinary science through: (i) an educational website allowing visitors to experience biotic and abiotic estuarine sounds and learn about their role in the environment, (ii) the sound files will be made available to the NSF-sponsored Wild Music travelling exhibit, and BioMusic/UPBEATS program at UNC-Greensboro, (iii) integration of estuarine soundscape lessons into NCSU/CMAST's Science Academy led by the Carteret County, NC School System and targets middle-school students, and (iv) data and results will be used by Southeast COSEE program for training to teachers.