Brent Pease is an assistant professor in the School of Forestry and Horticulture at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. He has been the driving force behind a groundbreaking study that examines the impact of light pollution on bird behavior. Along with their colleague Neil Gilbert, Pease has published their findings in the interconnected journal Science on August 21, 2023. The paper, titled “Light pollution prolongs avian activity,” reveals that birds in light-polluted areas tend to remain active for an hour longer than their counterparts in darker environments. This study is groundbreaking and has profound implications for understanding the disruptive effects of artificial light at night on wildlife.
That innovative research project was made possible with BirdWeather technology. This cutting-edge system incorporates state-of-the-art recording devices equipped with Wi-Fi, GPS and other sensors connected to the BirdNET database. Pease and Gilbert took advantage of this technology to analyze more than 1.4 billion bird vocalizations. It’s based on their data from over 11,000 locations globally since 2021. Their research mirrors the methods previously used with trail cameras to reveal around-the-clock behavior of mammals nearly 25 years ago.
Insights from Data Analysis
Pease and Gilbert’s investigation is the most systematic to date. They matched more than 180 million bird vocalizations from a single breeding season against high-resolution satellite imagery collected globally. They discovered that species with larger eyes relative to their body size exhibited a stronger reaction to artificial light at night. This puzzling behavior illustrates that these birds are more likely to feed and reproduce in the dusk hours. Light pollution incentivizes them to push these activities further into the night.
The increased period of activity can provide birds with additional opportunities to feed and reproduce. Pease cautions it could endanger health by causing sleep deprivation. He cautioned that an additional hour of physical activity can be misleadingly appealing. In reality, it might be hurting their well-being over the long term.
The Role of Technology in Wildlife Research
Brent Pease sheds creative new light on scientific study of wildlife through hands-on engagement in citizen-science initiatives. All of these initiatives are primarily aimed at evaluating wildlife on the SIU campus. His latest efforts are to capture nature sounds during the next total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. Pease prepares to test an isolated computer with a microphone at Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center. He hopes to play birdsong throughout the Agriculture Building on MSU’s main campus.
Pease, a firm believer in the power of technology to drive conservation progress, explained that this project is a prime example of “citizen-science at its best.” Pease and Gilbert are demonstrating revolutionary progress in their partnership. They are the first researchers to use and analyze BirdWeather data in this novel manner. Their desire to use today’s technology to protect wildlife paves the way for more extensive studies, discoveries, and innovations to come.
Future Directions in Research
Looking towards the future, Pease and Gilbert could hardly be more excited to keep using BirdWeather technology for wildlife conservation and monitoring projects. They think that comprehending how light pollution behavior affects avian behavior is essential for informing effective strategies to reduce their consequences. From simple solutions to complex avian conundrums, their research shines a light on the plight of birds in our cities. It creates a framework for future research on the environmental effects of manmade lighting.