LIFEPLAN - Global audio and image collection on biodiversity

This dataset contains raw image and audio data collected by the LIFEPLAN project. It examined global biodiversity by collecting image, audio and DNA-sample data around the world at 225 sites. The sites formed a nested design with more intensive sampling in the Nordic countries and Madagascar. We deployed 3 to 5 AudioMoth recorders and camera traps per site. Data collection started in 2021 and ended in 2025, but some sites have a shorter time span. Data were collected year-round as far as possible.

For audio recording, each site had one recorder in the middle of the site that recorded continuously for the first 48 hours and then one minute every ten minutes, always at 48 kHz. Each site also had 2-4 additional recorders at the corners of the site that recorded for 1 minute every 10 minutes at 48 kHz, and made opportunistic recordings at 384 kHz between these recordings using an amplitude threshold and high-pass filter to record bats with a daily total file size limit of 1024MB and a maximum individual file duration of 3 minutes. Internal time on the AudioMoth was set to UTC every time the SD card was changed, using the AudioMoth chime app.

For camera trapping, each site had as many cameras as AudioMoths, and at the same locations. The cameras had a passive infrared sensor. When triggered, the cameras took a series of 5 pictures approximately 1s apart. The cameras took colour photos during daylight and IR flash photos in the dark. Internal time on the cameras was set to UTC manually every time the SD card was changed.

LIFEPLAN project is described in detail in: Hardwick B, Kerdraon D, Rogers HMK, Raharinjanahary D, Rajoelison ET, Mononen T, et al. (2024) LIFEPLAN: A worldwide biodiversity sampling design. PLoS ONE 19(12): e0313353. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0313353

Audio recording protocol is described in detail in: Arielle M Farrell, Gaia Giedre Banelyte, Hanna M.K. Rogers, Petteri Lehikoinen, Deirdre Kerdraon, Bess Hardwick 2024. Lifeplan Audio Recording Protocol. protocols.io https://dx.doi.org/10.17504/protocols.io.kqdg3xbp1g25/v2

Camera trapping protocol is described in detail in:
Hanna M.K. Rogers, Gaia Giedre Banelyte, Arielle M Farrell, Bess Hardwick, Tommi Mononen, Deirdre Kerdraon 2023. Lifeplan Camera Trapping Protocol. protocols.io https://dx.doi.org/10.17504/protocols.io.q26g7pxp1gwz/v3