The Hudson River Estuary supports a wide range of fish, including a number of migratory and endangered species. Advances in marine ecosystem technologies, which include the use of passive acoustic monitoring, have enabled the Hudson River Reserve to address critical management challenges including understanding how fish species use the estuary, monitoring species population dynamics of protected and endangered animals, and creating engaging communication tools that inspire public stewardship of key fish species. The management of key fish within the estuary is a priority for the Hudson River Reserve; data deficiencies and critical questions remain for several key species, particularly related to spatial, temporal and seasonal patterns of habitat use. To address these needs, this collaborative research project implemented a passive acoustic monitoring approach that targeted these information gaps within the reserve sites and adjacent estuarine habitats.

In this webinar, members of the project team will share findings, including characterization of a diverse range of soundscapes across latitudinal and salinity gradients along the Hudson River, and comparisons of sounds from tributary and wetland habitats to those of the main channel of the river. They will also discuss their collaborative approach and how the project has strengthened relationships among regional partners, students, and intended users.