A field of study for environmental science.
Sounds of Atlantic sturgeon spawning: first description and opportunities for riverine endangered species conservation with passive acoustic monitoring
Key Words: Bioacoustics • Anadromous fish • Spawning aggregation • Fisheries management • Acipenser oxyrinchus
The study, published in Endangered Species Research and co‑authored by Environmental Science Program faculty member Dr. Patrick Baker, provides the first confirmed description of Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus) spawning sounds in the Hudson River. Researchers identified a distinctive 44 Hz low‑frequency signal that reliably aligned with telemetry‑tagged adults during spawning periods, with captive recordings validating the same acoustic cue. These findings highlight passive acoustic monitoring as a powerful, non‑invasive tool for detecting spawning aggregations, tracking habitat use, and improving conservation strategies for this endangered species. By establishing a new biological indicator, the study expands the role of bioacoustics in freshwater fisheries management and endangered species recovery.
Cohen R, Baker PJ, Bowser C, Breece MW, Flecker A, Fox D, Henne J, Higgs A, Niemistö M, Pendleton R, Sethi SA, White SL, Rice A. 2025. Sounds of Atlantic sturgeon spawning: first description and opportunities for riverine endangered species conservation with passive acoustic monitoring. Endanger Species Res. 14(2):127–135. https://doi.org/10.3354/esr01429
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The Impacts of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid on Army Installations
Introduction
Threat
The Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (Adelges tsugae, HWA) is an invasive insect native to East Asia which is now spreading across the Northeast affecting training areas and forests on military installations. HWA kills Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) within 4-10 years, by feeding on the nutrients at the base of the needles during the winter (NYS DEC). The Eastern Hemlock is a foundational tree species in the northeast United States that plays a crucial ecological role in supporting wildlife habitats (Biological Control of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid 2024)