Overview
The lecture explores Bernie Krause's concept of "biophony," emphasizing how animal sounds form complex, organized soundscapes that are shaped by millions of years of evolution, and how human interference threatens these acoustic environments.
Bernie Krause and Early Field Recording
- Krause began as a traditional field recordist, cataloging individual animal sounds.
- He realized isolating sounds was like analyzing a symphony by examining only one instrument.
- Early field recording focused on collecting "life lists" of single species, missing the bigger picture.
The Concept of Biophony
- Krause experienced animal voices as a cohesive, orchestrated sonic event rather than a cacophony.
- Animals share the soundscape by occupying different frequency ranges, reducing competition.
- Mammals typically use lower frequencies, birds higher ones, and insects/ultrasonic bats the highest.
- The combined result is the "Great Animal Orchestra" or "biophony"—the collective sounds of nonhuman biological sources.
Acoustic Evolution and Ecological Meaning
- Before life, only nonbiological sounds ("geophony") existed, like wind and water.
- As life diversified, animals evolved to recognize and occupy unique acoustic niches for survival.
- The biophony of a place provides information about species present, their numbers, and environmental health.
- Human ancestors used biophony cues for navigation, danger recognition, and survival.
Human Impacts and Conservation
- Human-made sounds ("anthrophony") disrupt animal communication and habitat health.
- Logging and urban noise reduce the richness and diversity of animal soundscapes, often undetectable to the eye but clear to the ear.
- Disrupted biophony can make animals more vulnerable to predators and reduce populations.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Biophony — the totality of sounds produced by nonhuman, nondomestic biological sources in a given habitat.
- Geophony — nonbiological natural sounds such as wind, water, and earth movements.
- Anthrophony — sounds generated by humans and their activities.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review Krause's concepts of biophony, geophony, and anthrophony.
- Listen to recordings of natural habitats to identify examples of biophony.