Use algorithms to detect extinct frogs

According to environmental consultant Gary Kittleson, his preferred method of counting frogs is to listen to the "calls" they make because the sounds they communicate with are lower than those of other species.

Watsonville Slough marshland in California has been home to many living creatures, but the number of organisms has been dwindling due to over hunting and loss of habitat due to human activities in the area. area. In the victims are California red frogs .

Gary Kittleson is counting the number of frogs in the area. This is a difficult task because California red frogs can only be found by listening carefully to their tiny clatter in the sea of soaring sounds of other frogs. Kittleson's work is part of a project funded by the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County, California.

California Red-breasted Frog (scientific name: Rana draytonii). (Photo: INT).

According to Kittleson, his preferred method of counting frogs is to listen to the "calls" they make because the sounds they communicate with are lower than those of other species. Kittleson has become so adept at recognizing red-legged frogs while doing something else.

To help Kittleson perform the task, the Land Trust has partnered with Conservation Technology Corporation Metrics to develop an algorithm that can identify the sound of red-footed frogs.

By placing sound meters around the marshes, Metrics can collect audio recordings of many different animals and upload them to a computer for analysis. The algorithm scans the entire recording and identifies the sounds produced by the red-headed frog. Kittleson will verify the sound later.

Matthew McKown, CEO of Metrics, says that thanks to this technique, the work that requires many scientists to join is only one person.

"Our goal is to make the conservation work better, so we try to make the meter as cheap as possible," said Matthew McKown.

Scientists increasingly use a variety of computer programs to analyze data. Devices such as cameras, satellites, sound sensors ... will soon be used worldwide to track the activity of animals.