Bat Acoustic Data Submission Instructions

TERN is undertaking publication of bat acoustic files and call information for further reuse. These datasets will be made discoverable from TERN infrastructure and make them discoverable from wider bat acoustic datasets. If you are interested in Bat acoustic data submission Please follow the instruction below:

1. All individual data submission happens from the TERN data submission tool so that all required metadata are captured. If any data providers want to publish very large number of files, please contact TERN hep desk via esupport@tern.org.au for alternative submission. If you are submitting individual collected dataset, go to https://shared.tern.org.au/ to start the submission processes. The SHaRED online tool will enable users to author metadata about the data they want to submit and upload all acoustic data files before agreeing for the terms of use. For more information on how to submit dataset via SHaRED, please see the https://ternaus.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/TERNSup/pages/707035185 . Before submitting all sound files, please create all audio files as instructed below:

What files to submit

• Both .zc and .wav files are acceptable

• All file names are acceptable but including the name of the recording device and a suffix to the sound file name is highly preferable and encouraged.

• Please only include files that include at least 4 bat call pulses and are of a reasonable quality.

• Files may have a species name attributed to them but ‘unnamed’ files are also valuable and acceptable.

• If a Species name is provided:

  • Species names should be included in a metadata field titled “Species”

  • The file MUST also include a metadata field titled “Identified by” that lists the name(s) of the individuals(s) who identified the species. This is a key component for helping ensure the accuracy of species identifications.

  • The relevant files should only include pulses from that single species. This will help individuals derive useful call metrics etc from files attributed to a single species.

Using metadata fields to provide key file information

• Key information should be included in the metadata fields associated with each file, which ensures this information does not become separated from each file

  • Metadata information can be accessed/edited with programs such as AnaLook, Insight and Kaleidoscope.

  • All metadata fields and their contents will be read automatically when sound files are loaded into the database

• The minimum information required for each sound file includes:

  • A metadata field called Location that includes latitude and longitude in decimal minutes (see below)

  • A metadata field called “Call type” (see below)

  • A metadata field called “Collected by” that includes the name(s) of the individuals that collected the calls (see below)

• With the exception of Location and Timestamp metadata fields, DO NOT INCLUDE a comma (’,’) in a data field. This confuses the GUANO metadata sound format protocols.

Example metadata entries and formatting requirements.

2. Once the data is submitted, Simon Robson will review the data submission and approve for publication. Data providers will be notified when sound files are accessible for wider community.