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Data

Global Bat Acoustic Data Collection: Belize 

Ver: 1
Status of Data: onGoing
Update Frequency: asNeeded
Security Classification: unclassified
Dataset Published: 2026-04-23
Dataset Last Modified: 2026-08-18
Metadata viewed 2 times
Dataset accessed 0 times
Metadata Created: 2025-07-30
Metadata Last Modified: 2026-08-19
How to cite this collection:
Corben, C., Robson, S. & Central Queensland University (2026). Global Bat Acoustic Data Collection: Belize. Version 1. Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network. Dataset. https://portal.tern.org.au/metadata/79c7b939-2e8b-49f5-bfd7-11f1b58b51df 
Data can be accessed from the following links:
HTTPEcoacoustic Recordings - Belize Bat Call Collection
HTTPPoint-of-truth metadata URL
HTTPro-crate-metadata.json
This dataset is a collection of echolocation calls recorded from Belize. Users should note that some audio files may contain calls from multiple species, and in certain cases, only one of the present species has been identified.
The collection includes bat call files in .zc and .wav formats, encompassing both identified and unidentified calls. Each call file contains embedded information, such as collection date, GPS location, species identification (where available), and contributor details, which is extracted and used to create searchable filter options in TERN Ecoacoustic Recordings. This enables users to efficiently search for, explore, and download call files based on specific criteria through the dashboard.
. This metadata record serves as an open library for Australian bat call data, with future submissions from additional contributors expected to be added over time.
 
Credit
We at TERN acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians throughout Australia, New Zealand and all nations. We honour their profound connections to land, water, biodiversity and culture and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. This work was jointly funded by the Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network (TERN), an Australian Government National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) project, New South Wales Government Department of Environment and Conservation, and Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory.
 
Purpose
The Global Bat Acoustic Data Collection has two goals:
  • To demonstrate the feasibility and value of long-term acoustic monitoring of echolocating bats.
  • To develop an open-access online repository of bat calls and analytical techniques that captures the within and between-species diversity in call structure worldwide, in order to improve our capacity to identify bat species based on their echolocation calls.
 
Lineage
Data not provided. 
Method DocumentationData not provided.
Procedure StepsData not provided.
Spatial Description
Belize 
Temporal Coverage
From 1996-07-16 to on going 
Spatial Resolution

Data not provided.

Vertical Extent

Data not provided.

Data Quality Assessment Scope
The following steps were taken to minimise the error rate associated with call identification:
All identified calls included the following metadata fields:
a) "Identified by" – the name of the individual who identified the call
b) "ID method" – the method used to identify the call, such as observation of the call file ("Manual Call ID"), observation of the bat when the recording was made ("Visual"), identification of the bat in hand after capture ("Capture"), the name of any Auto-ID software used to classify species (“Auto Call ID”). Other fields, such as "DNA" would also be possible.
c) "Record context" – the default for this is most likely 'free flying', but possible entries include "Release", "Enclosure", "In bag", "Cave entrance", etc. This field separates interpretation of call function from call location.
The logic for these fields is that information on who collected the data, who identified the calls, how they identified them, and where the calls were recorded can together be used to determine the validity of individual identifications (more details can be found in Ecoacoustic Calls Submission Instructions).
 
Data Quality Report
Data not provided. 
Data Quality Assessment Outcome
Data not provided. 
Australian Faunal Directory
CHIROPTERA
MICROCHIROPTERA
ANZSRC - FOR
Animal behaviour
Community ecology (excl. invasive species ecology)
Data Stream
EcoAcoustics
GCMD Sciences
ANIMALS/VERTEBRATES - BATS
ECOLOGICAL DYNAMICS - SPECIES DISTRIBUTION
PALEOCLIMATE INDICATORS - FAUNA
Horizontal Resolution
1 meter - < 30 meters
Parameters
characteristic frequency (bat acoustic)
characteristic slope (bat acoustic)
curvature (bat acoustic)
end frequency (bat acoustic)
end slope (bat acoustic)
initial slope (bat acoustic)
knee frequency (bat acoustic)
maximum frequency (bat acoustic)
maximum slope (bat acoustic)
mean frequency (bat acoustic)
minimum frequency (bat acoustic)
minimum slope (bat acoustic)
pulse count (bat acoustic)
pulse duration (bat acoustic)
start frequency (bat acoustic)
time between pulse (bat acoustic)
time-to-characteristic section
time-to-knee
Project
Microbat biodiversity
Temporal Resolution
irregular
Topic
biota
environment
User Defined
Bat Echolocation Call
Bat Reference Call Library
Microbat
Ultrasound
Author
Corben, Chris
Robson, Simon
Central Queensland University
Contact Point
Robson, Simon
Central Queensland University
Publisher
Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network
Key to the bat calls of the top end of the Northern Territory
Bat calls of New South Wales : region based guide to the echolocation of microchiropteran bats
Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network
80 Meiers Road, Indooroopilly, Queensland, 4068, Australia.
Contact Us
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
The Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license allows others to copy, distribute, display, and create derivative works provided that they credit the original source and any other nominated parties. Details are provided at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ 
Please cite this dataset as {Author} ({PublicationYear}). {Title}. {Version, as appropriate}. Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network. Dataset. {Identifier}. 
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Please advise any work or publications that use this data via the online form at https://www.tern.org.au/research-publications/#reporting