Acoustic monitoring of birds in the face of climate change in the Canadian Arctic

The SOCAP project aims to monitor the impacts of climate change on bird communities across the Canadian Arctic using a passive acoustic approach. Twelve recording stations have already been deployed along a north-south latitudinal gradient, from the subarctic taiga (53.79°N) to one of the northernmost terrestrial points on the planet (83.10°N). This network enables the detection of temporal shifts in migratory bird arrival dates and community reassembly patterns over time and space. Through this proposal, we seek IPEV’s support to maintain five key stations (Kuujjuarapik, Umiujaq, Lac à l’Eau Claire, Salluit, Kangiqsualujjuaq) over the next four years. Each station includes two SM4 acoustic recorders, programmed to sample daily dawn choruses from April to August, complemented by three 24-hour recording sessions at the peak of the breeding season (June 20, 25, and 30). This monitoring effort is supported by robust logistical coordination with local research partners (CEN, Nunavik Parks, OHMI Nunavik) and leverages long-term data storage platforms such as InDORes (France) and Borealis (Canada). Data will be further shared through open-access platforms including eBird and DownChorus, ensuring both scientific value and public outreach. SOCAP not only fills critical knowledge gaps in Arctic biodiversity monitoring but also provides a scalable and cost-effective model for long-term ecological observation in remote environments.