ECOWAVES: Marine Soundscapes in the Anthropophony Era

AquaPLAN participant Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn (SZN) is organising the summer school ECOWAVES: Marine Soundscapes in the Anthropophony Era.

Open to graduates, postgraduates, postdocs and early-career researchers, the summer school course is designed to offer participants a comprehensive introduction to understanding the critical role of sound in marine ecosystems and the application of acoustics in ecological studies. It is a unique opportunity to join a growing community of researchers addressing one of the most pressing issues in marine conservation, preparing participants to contribute to innovative solutions and impactful research in this field. Through a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical hands-on training, the course will equip participants with the skills needed to assess the role of sound and the impacts of human-generated noise (anthropogenic noise) on the physiology and behaviour of marine organisms, providing participants with comprehensive insights into effective research and communication strategies.

Contents

Theoretical lessons

• Physics of underwater sound and measurement techniques.
• Underwater acoustics and the role of sound from invertebrates to megafauna.
• State-of-the-art acoustic technologies for monitoring biodiversity and environmental changes.
• The impacts of anthropogenic noise on marine ecosystems and species.
• Communicating acoustic ecology to the public through educational tools and outreach.

Practical lessons

• Setup and calibration of hydrophones and recording systems.
• Identification of sound sources and species-specific vocalisations.
• Use of software for data visualisation and soundscape analysis.
• In tank experiments to record effects of noise on invertebrates.

Lecturers

• Dr. Francesco Caruso (Anton Dohrn Zoological Station)
• Dr. Filomena Ristoratore (Anton Dohrn Zoological Station)
• Dr. Francesca Rossi (Anton Dohrn Zoological Station)
• Dr. Marco Signore (Anton Dohrn Zoological Station)
• Prof. Giovanni Zambon (University of Milano-Bicocca)
• Dr. Salvatore Viola (National Institute for Nuclear Physics)
• Prof. Lucia Di Iorio (University of Perpignan)
• Prof. Lucia Manni (University of Padua)
• Dr. Marios Chatzigeorgiou (University of Bergen)
• Prof. Livio Favaro (University of Turin)
• Dr. Virginia Sciacca (Italian National Research Council)

The lecturers teaching the course include AquaPLAN researchers from Anton Dohrn Zoological Station (SZN). The ECOWAVES lecturers are researchers involved in the following projects: DIVES, eConscience, AquaPLAN, DeuteroNoise and KNOWhale

Organisers: Francesco Caruso, Filomena Ristoratore, Francesca Rossi, Marco Signore