Development of Citizen Science Protocols to Measure Sound and Light Levels for Bird Ecology
Tatiana Briones⏐Wendy Chao⏐Joshua Cox Thomas Lau ⏐Alizah Mooman⏐Amy Sen⏐Isabel Sepkowitz Advisor: Dr. Travis Longcore Client: Cornell Lab of Ornithology UCLA, Institute of the Environment and Sustainability
La Kretz Hall, Suite 300 ⏐ Box 951496 ⏐ Los Angeles, CA 90095-‐1496 June 14, 2013
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Table of Contents 1. Abstract ........................................................................................ 4 2. Introduction ................................................................................. 4 2.1 Importance of Citizen Science ................................................................. 5 2.2 Effects of Anthropogenic Sound on Birds .................................................. 6 2.3 Effects of Anthropogenic Light on Birds .................................................... 6
3. Methods........................................................................................ 7 3.1 Sound Protocol ..................................................................................... 7 3.1.1 Scoping Range of Measurements ....................................................... 7 3.1.2 Time of Day .................................................................................... 9 3.1.3 Duration ........................................................................................ 9 3.1.4 Tool Selection ................................................................................. 9 3.1.5 Mitigating Error ............................................................................. 12 3.1.6 Sound Protocol Structure ................................................................ 13 3.2 Light Protocol ..................................................................................... 13 3.2.1 Light Properties ............................................................................. 13 3.2.2 Scoping Range of Measurements ..................................................... 14 3.2.3 Devices and Mechanisms ................................................................ 15 3.2.4 Environmental and Background Observations .................................... 17 3.2.5 Light Protocol Structure ................................................................. 17
4. Tool Testing: Sound .................................................................... 19 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4
SPL Meter .......................................................................................... 19 Test 1: UCLA Campus Sound Level ........................................................ 20 Test 2: Instantaneous Sound Level at a Private Residence ........................ 21 Test 3: Average Sound Level at the UCLA Public Health Lab ...................... 21
5. Tool Testing: Light ...................................................................... 21 5.1 Brightness Chart and SQM-L ................................................................. 21 5.2 Location............................................................................................. 22
6. Website Development ................................................................. 22 7. Instructional Videos ................................................................... 22 8. Results ....................................................................................... 23 8.1 Sound ............................................................................................... 23 8.1.1 Test 1: UCLA Campus Sound Level .................................................. 23 8.1.2 Test 2: Instantaneous Sound Level .................................................. 26 8.1.3 Test 3: Indoor Average Sound Level Using Different Sound Meter ........ 27 8.2 Light ................................................................................................. 28
9. Discussion .................................................................................. 30 9.1 Sound ............................................................................................... 30 9.2 Light ................................................................................................. 31
10. Conclusion ................................................................................ 31 11. References ............................................................................... 32 2
Appendix A ..................................................................................... 34 Sound Protocol - Android ........................................................................... 35 Sound Protocol - Apple .............................................................................. 35
Appendix B ..................................................................................... 54 Light Protocol ............................................................................................. 54
Appendix C ..................................................................................... 63
List of Figures Figure 1. Light Intensity Measurements Between the iPhone app, Whitegoods, and the Extech Advantage Light Meter Taken Within the UCLA Campus (R2=0.81358) _____ 15 Figure 2. An Example of a Sky Quality Meter (SQM-L) Reading and How the Reading Visually Correlates to Night Sky Brightness ________________________________ 16 Figure 3. Comparison Among Measurements Within the UCLA Campus of Average Sound Level by Four iPhones _________________________________________________ 24 Figure 4. Correlation Between Measurements of Maximum Sound Levels by Various iPhone Models and the Tenma Model Sound Meter Taken Within the UCLA Campus (R2 = 0.18595) ___________________________________________________________ 24 Figure 5. Sound Pressure Levels Within the UCLA Campus Extrapolated by 30 Point Measurements Using Kriging in ArcGIS 10.1________________________________ 26 Figure 6. Correlation Between Measurements of Instantaneous SPL by an iPhone and the Tenma Model Sound Meter Taken Indoors at a Private Residence (R2 = 0.94902; Pvalue < 0.001) ______________________________________________________ 27 Figure 7. Average Sound Levels Measured by an iPhone and Quest Technology Sound Meter at the Public Health Lab at UCLA (R2 = 0.99283, P-value < 0.001) ______________ 28 Figure 8. Correlation between indexes on the brightness chart and the SQM-L taken in Topanga Canyon, Malibu, and residential settings (R2 Index 1= 0.7662; R2 Index 2= 0.6453; R2 Index 3= 0.8128; R2 Index 4= 0.724) ___________________________ 29 Figure 9. Correlation Between all Four Indexes (Averaged) and the SQM-L (R2 = 0.6299; Pvalue >” button in the top right corner • The time period listed as “night” is suitable for measuring 5. Moon Given the variability of moonlight between moon phases, moonlight intensity varies over the course of a month. To compensate for this variation, measurements should only be taken within one week before and after the new moon. If possible, take your measurements while the moon is still below the horizon. 6. Clouds Cloud coverage amplifies the brightness of the night sky by reflecting light back downwards. Brightness of artificial lighting may be considerably greater due to the reflectivity of clouds, which enhance the effect of skyglow and increase light pollution. Therefore, it is important to indicate your geographic setting and estimate cloud coverage. If nearby structures (trees, buildings, etc) obstruct more than 25% of your view of the sky, preventing you from accurately estimating cloud coverage, record cloud cover as Obscured. 7. Brightness Chart The brightness chart is designed to measure of the amount of light illuminating an area. Illumination is a property of light that describes the brightness of a specific area. The brightness chart includes four different scales (indexes) that you will use to measure brightness. The various objects on the chart will be visible at different light levels, allowing you to estimate how much light is shining on the area. The brightness chart will need a non-transparent board behind it while you take your measurements, such a piece of cardboard, to prevent light from shining through from the back of the sheet. 55
Using the Brightness Chart You will use the brightness chart by holding it in five different directions: the four cardinal directions (north, east, south, west), and once looking down with the face of the chart directed toward the sky. You will try to hold the chart so that your body does not block the light coming from behind you while you read the chart. To read the chart, you distinguish the faintest item in each of the four indexes. Wait at least 10 minutes in your location before reading the chart for your eyes to adjust to the surrounding light. 1. Holding the chart a. To use the chart facing the four cardinal directions (north, east, south, west): look to the north and hold the chart away from your body with your arms fully extended, while keeping the chart exactly vertical. Then lift it just high enough to clear the height of your head, while keeping your arms fully extended. From this position, distinguish the faintest item in each index.
b. To use the chart facing the sky: hold the chart with your arms fully extended and rest the bottom edge of the chart against your legs, with the face of the chart towards the sky, while keeping the chart exactly horizontal. If the shadow of your body falls on the chart, turn your body until your shadow does not cover the chart. From this position, distinguish the faintest item in each index.
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2. Reading the chart • •
For each index, you are attempting to distinguish the faintest items you can see. For index 1 and 2 (the large and small type), you must be able to distinguish individual letters of the item to count that item as visible.
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From index 1, 2 and 3, record the number next to the faintest item.
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From index 3 (blocks), you must be able to distinguish an individual block to count that item as visible. 57
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From index 4 (stars), record the number of visible stars.
8. Estimating distance to count light sources If you are having trouble estimating distance when counting light sources, use the following diagram to help. You can estimate the distance by the length of a school bus, which is approximate 45 feet, while 100 feet can be approximated by two school buses.
9. Understanding how to count the light sources When counting the light sources for the data sheet only count the light sources that are within that interval. For example, if there is only 1 light source within 1 foot away then you would record a value of 1. If there are more light sources that are at a distance within 1-10feet away, then you would record only the light sources within the 1-10feet range. If you see light sources in a structure such as a house or building. Each light source in that structure counts as 1 light sources. For example, if you see a house which you are able to identify 2 light sources, then it is recorded as 2 independent light sources. The diagram below is an example of recording the light sources.
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1ft 1
1ft-10ft 1
10ft-50ft 1
50ft-100ft 6
Measurements 1. Location Data a. Record the time and date at the start of your measurements. b. Record your longitude & latitude as accurately as possible. 2. Environmental Data a. Record the number of nearby light sources. Use your best judgment to approximate the distance of the light sources. • For example, if you are right underneath two street lamps, place a number 2 in the 0 ft. category. If you see three light sources between 50 and 100 feet away, write a number 3 in the 50-‐100 ft. category. b. Briefly describe the dominant light source. • Dominant light sources can either be many sources of the same type. For example, 10 street lamps. They can also describe one light source that has high intensity. For example, outside building lighting. c. Record the current visible cloud cover using the cloud coverage chart. d. Record the current phase of the moon if it is visible. If the moon is not visible, record as Not Visible. 3. Brightness Chart Use the brightness chart to determine the amount of illumination at your location. Follow the steps under the Preparation section, 7. Brightness Chart, to learn how to use the brightness chart.
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Submit data Option 1: Loud and Bright Project Website 1. Go to www.LoudandBright.wix.com/LABP 2. Click “Submit Data” located at the top right of the screen 3. Click “Light” 4. Fill out the form, using your data sheet as reference 5. Click “Submit” Option 2: Send Data Sheet by Mail Loud and Bright Project c/o Dr. Travis Longcore UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability 300 La Kretz Hall Los Angeles, CA 90095-1496
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2. Environmental Data a. Light Sources 0-‐1 ft.
1-‐10 ft.
10-‐50 ft 50-‐100 ft.
100+ ft.
# Sources b. Briefly describe dominant light source.
c. Cloud Cover
d. Moon Phase
Cloud Cover
Cloud Coverage
Moon Phase
No Clouds Clear
0% 1-‐10%
New Cresent
Isolated Clouds
10-‐25%
Scattered Clouds Broken Clouds
25-‐50% 50-‐90%
Half Gibbous Full Not visible
Overcast 90-‐100% Obscured: >25% of the sky is obstructed from view 3. Brightness Chart Index 1
Index 2
Index 3
North East South West Down
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Index 4
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Appendix C Website Screenshots
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