soundscapes of survival

Smilisca dentata, known as the Highland Burrowing Treefrog, is an endangered species endemic to Mexico whose biology remains poorly understood. Its reproductive behavior is closely tied to the rainy season, and its calls are the primary means of detection, making acoustic monitoring a key tool for its conservation.

This project aims to generate robust scientific information on the distribution, relative abundance, and acoustic behavior of this species under different environmental conditions. To achieve this, we conduct research in the known localities for the species in the state of Aguascalientes. At these sites, we install passive acoustic monitoring devices that record vocalizations during the breeding season. These data allow us to assess population health and understand how anthropogenic noise (vehicles, machinery, etc.) may affect acoustic activity and reproductive success.

The project is structured around two integrated components:

• Science and acoustic monitoring: We use audio recorders to detect the presence of Smilisca dentata, estimate its abundance, and analyze the soundscapes it inhabits, including the impacts of human-generated noise.
  
  

• Outreach and sound art: Using the recordings captured in the field, we create sound compositions in collaboration with artists from the Acoustic Ecology Lab in Mexico and musicians from Aguascalientes.

This project is a collaboration among Fund 4 Nature & Wildlife, the National Geographic Society, and the Acoustic Ecology Lab in Mexico (LEAM). By combining science, art, and community engagement, we aim to raise awareness, strengthen conservation policies, and protect one of the last remaining habitats of this unique species.