Presentation Details
| Hearing Through the Habitat: Predicting Functional Communication Range in Parids Suyash Sawant1, 2, Todd M.Freeberg3, 4, Jeff Lucas5, Kathryn E.Sieving1. 11. Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA.22. School of Natural Resources and Environment, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA.33. Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA.44. Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA.55. Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA |
Abstract
Animal acoustic communication depends on signal structure, behavioral context, and the physics of sound propagation. As signals travel, attenuation and degradation reshape the information available to receivers. Despite this, studies rarely integrate propagation physics with behavioral function, limiting our ability to predict effective communication across contexts.
We combined field attenuation experiments with a mechanistic propagation model to link sound physics to communication distance. Using Tufted Titmouse and Carolina Chickadee calls, we quantified how signal-to-noise ratio declines with distance and how frequency-specific information degrades across habitats. We then modeled geometric spreading, atmospheric absorption, vegetation-mediated attenuation, ambient noise, and source amplitude.
Our model predicts communication ranges that differ across vocalization types and align with their behavioral functions (e.g., contact vs. alarm). Frequency-dependent attenuation leads to a systematic loss of spectral information. This framework links physics to behavioral ecology and provides a general approach to predict functional communication ranges across species and soundscapes.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author.
We combined field attenuation experiments with a mechanistic propagation model to link sound physics to communication distance. Using Tufted Titmouse and Carolina Chickadee calls, we quantified how signal-to-noise ratio declines with distance and how frequency-specific information degrades across habitats. We then modeled geometric spreading, atmospheric absorption, vegetation-mediated attenuation, ambient noise, and source amplitude.
Our model predicts communication ranges that differ across vocalization types and align with their behavioral functions (e.g., contact vs. alarm). Frequency-dependent attenuation leads to a systematic loss of spectral information. This framework links physics to behavioral ecology and provides a general approach to predict functional communication ranges across species and soundscapes.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author.
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