Professors, Assistant Professors and PhD students from the ENES lab are strongly involved in teaching at the Université Jean Monnet - Saint-Etienne. Our teachings include:
- Animal cognition
- Behavioural ecology
- Animal communication
- Ethology
- Physiology
- Ecology
- Information theory
- Statistics
International Master of Bioacoustics (MoBi)
Underwater bioacoustics (Week 9, 3 ECTS)
In the first part of the module we will review anatomical basis of the production of acoustic signals in fish, and discuss their nature, function and evolution, with a focus on acoustic communication from both emitter and receiver perspectives. Then we will look at the material and methods used to record underwater sound, with a section on signal propagation. In the second part of the module, we will see the principles, methods and applications of underwater eco-acoustic. We will see how we can assess the aquatic biodiversity based on sounds emanating from a variety of species and environments.
© Clara Amorim & Paulo Fonseca
We will analyse the relationship between eco-acoustics and bioacoustics and review the responses of individuals and communities to anthropogenic noise. We will also discuss the areas for potential future research in eco-acoustics including challenges in species conservation (i.e. use of acoustic tools to manage invasive species).
Key theoretical notions will be presented by specialist speakers, we will review cutting edge methods and tools for the measure and analysis of underwater sounds and for the measurement of biodiversity, including the spatiotemporal sampling strategy.
Research talks on sound production and reception, acoustic communication, anthropogenic noise and underwater eco-acoustic will expose students directly to current research.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, a successful student should be able to:
1. Record underwater soundscapes and measure biodiversity from soundscapes.
2. Demonstrate a good understanding of tools for analysing underwater acoustic signals and soundscapes.
3. Demonstrate familiarity with the main issues and current topics relating to sounds production and acoustic communication in fish, eco-acoustics and anthropogenic sounds.
2025 Provisional Schedule
Day 1: Monday 10th November
Morning Lecture (9h00 – 12h00): Paulo Fonseca
Presentation of the course. Measure and underwater sound propagation.
Afternoon Practical (14h – 18h): Paulo Fonseca
Presentation of the material. How to record and measure underwater acoustic signal.
Day 2: wednesday 12th November
Morning Lecture (9h00 – 12h00): Clara Amorim
Fish communication
Afternoon Lecture (13h00 – 16h00): Raquel Vasconcelos
Underwater sounds perception
Afternoon Lecture (16h30- 19h30): Vincent Médoc
Anthropogenic noise: theory and examples
Day 3: Thursday 13th November
Morning Lecture (9h – 12h): Frédéric Bertucci
Underwater sounds production and biodiversity
Afternoon Lecture + Practical (13h - 18h): Lucia Di Ioro
Underwater Eco-acoustic and biodiversity + Underwater soundscape analysis.
Day 4: Friday 14th November
Morning lecture (9h – 11h): Vincent Médoc
Biostatistics
Afternoon (14h00 – 15h30):
Exam
Assessment
This module will be assessed by a one-hour exam consisting of questions on the different parts of the module.
Organisers and tutors: Marilyn Beauchaud, Vincent Medoc
Guests tutors: Clara Amorim, Lucia Di Iorio, Paolo Fonseca, Raquel Vasconcelos.
© Marilyn Beauchaud