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

本研究的总体目标是通过表征河口声景的时空变化来促进我们对水下声音在生物海洋学中的作用的总体理解，并确定这种变化是否会影响幼虫无脊椎动物的定居。研究人员将使用北卡罗来纳州帕姆利科湾的双壳贝类幼虫和潮下带牡蛎礁作为研究系统。结合现场和实验室实验，将用于测试声音对幼虫行为和沉降的影响。水下声环境有可能为所有水生动物提供有意义的感官信息。声信号被传输相对较远的距离，存在于所有深度，并反映环境的生物和物理特性，而其他线索（例如光，化学品）从源迅速衰减。声音是公认的海洋哺乳动物和鱼类的方向和栖息地选择线索，最近出现了作为一个潜在的重要贡献者幼虫定居。将水下声音传播的地球物理方面与生态和海洋学过程相结合的能力建设（知识、专门知识、设备），对于海洋系统中幼体连接和补充的生物物理研究至关重要。它还使我们了解海洋噪音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观众的兴趣，并将通过以下方式来突出这一跨学科科学的令人兴奋的性质：（i）一个教育网站，让游客体验生物和非生物河口的声音，并了解他们在环境中的作用，（ii）声音文件将提供给国家科学基金会赞助的野生音乐巡回展览，和生物音乐/UBEATS计划在北卡罗来纳大学格林斯伯勒，（iii）河口音景课程整合到NCSU/CMAST的科学学院领导的卡特雷特县，北卡罗来纳州学校系统和目标中学生，及（iv）数据和结果将用于东南COSEE计划培训教师。

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.