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Three Decades of Research on Passive Acoustic Monitoring in Bats: Systematic Review and Perspectives

Journal Article

Title: Three Decades of Research on Passive Acoustic Monitoring in Bats: Systematic Review and Perspectives
Author:
Geng, Y.; Zeng, H.; Yin, H.; Lu, J.; Feng, J.; Taylor, P.; Liu, Y.; Jiang, T.
Publication Date:
Journal:
Mammal Review
Volume:
56
Issue:
1
Pages:
e70022
Publisher:
Wiley
Affiliation
Jilin Agricultural University, Northeast Normal University, Sichuan University, University of the Free State
Technology:
Wind Energy
Stressor:
Noise
Receptor:
Bats
Language:
English

Document Access

Website:
External Link
Attachment:
Access File

Citation

Geng, Y.; Zeng, H.; Yin, H.; Lu, J.; Feng, J.; Taylor, P.; Liu, Y.; Jiang, T. (2026). Three Decades of Research on Passive Acoustic Monitoring in Bats: Systematic Review and Perspectives. Mammal Review, 56(1), e70022.https://doi.org/10.1111/mam.70022
@article{Geng-2026-,
author = {Geng, Y and Zeng, H and Yin, H and Lu, J and Feng, J and Taylor, P and Liu, Y and Jiang, T},
title = {Three Decades of Research on Passive Acoustic Monitoring in Bats: Systematic Review and Perspectives},
journal = {Mammal Review},
year = {2026},
month = {jan},
publisher = {Wiley},
volume = {56},
number = {1},
pages = {70022},
doi = {10.1111/mam.70022},
url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/mam.70022},
keywords = {Wind Energy, Noise, Bats},
}
Export Citation to BibTex
TY - JOUR
TI - Three Decades of Research on Passive Acoustic Monitoring in Bats: Systematic Review and Perspectives
AU - Geng, Y
AU - Zeng, H
AU - Yin, H
AU - Lu, J
AU - Feng, J
AU - Taylor, P
AU - Liu, Y
AU - Jiang, T
T2 - Mammal Review
AB - IntroductionPassive acoustic monitoring (PAM) has transformed bat research by enabling non-invasive, large-scale and long-term assessment of bat ecology and conservation status. Yet despite its rapid expansion, substantial methodological heterogeneity, pronounced geographic biases and fragmented taxonomic coverage continue to limit global synthesis and constrain the broader ecological and conservation value of PAM.AimsThis review aims to: (1) map global geographic patterns and collaboration networks in PAM-based bat research; (2) characterise temporal trends and major developmental phases; and (3) evaluate methodological practices across detector technologies, survey designs, monitoring cycles and data-processing workflows. These objectives collectively provide a basis for identifying knowledge gaps, improving methodological coherence and guiding future monitoring and conservation efforts.MethodsWe systematically reviewed 935 peer-reviewed studies from 1992 to 2023, compiling associated bibliometric, methodological and thematic metadata. Keyword co-occurrence, thematic clustering, device-use profiles, methodological categorisation and temporal trends were analysed using bibliometric tools and descriptive statistics.Results and DiscussionOur review revealed strong geographic biases, with PAM research heavily concentrated in a few well-studied regions. Research shifted from early detector-focused work to broader conservation applications. Methodologically, fixed surveys, seasonal sampling and manual call processing remained dominant, though automated tools are increasingly adopted. Research themes were heavily skewed towards movement and identification, with ecosystem-health and disturbance topics markedly underrepresented.Synthesis and RecommendationsPAM research is advancing rapidly but remains geographically uneven and methodologically fragmented. Strengthening standardised yet flexible protocols and expanding capacity in under-represented regions will be essential to fully realise its value for global bat conservation.
DA - 2026/01//
PY - 2026
PB - Wiley
VL - 56
IS - 1
SP - e70022
UR - https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/mam.70022
DO - 10.1111/mam.70022
LA - English
KW - Wind Energy
KW - Noise
KW - Bats
ER -
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Abstract

Introduction
Passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) has transformed bat research by enabling non-invasive, large-scale and long-term assessment of bat ecology and conservation status. Yet despite its rapid expansion, substantial methodological heterogeneity, pronounced geographic biases and fragmented taxonomic coverage continue to limit global synthesis and constrain the broader ecological and conservation value of PAM.

Aims
This review aims to: (1) map global geographic patterns and collaboration networks in PAM-based bat research; (2) characterise temporal trends and major developmental phases; and (3) evaluate methodological practices across detector technologies, survey designs, monitoring cycles and data-processing workflows. These objectives collectively provide a basis for identifying knowledge gaps, improving methodological coherence and guiding future monitoring and conservation efforts.

Methods
We systematically reviewed 935 peer-reviewed studies from 1992 to 2023, compiling associated bibliometric, methodological and thematic metadata. Keyword co-occurrence, thematic clustering, device-use profiles, methodological categorisation and temporal trends were analysed using bibliometric tools and descriptive statistics.

Results and Discussion
Our review revealed strong geographic biases, with PAM research heavily concentrated in a few well-studied regions. Research shifted from early detector-focused work to broader conservation applications. Methodologically, fixed surveys, seasonal sampling and manual call processing remained dominant, though automated tools are increasingly adopted. Research themes were heavily skewed towards movement and identification, with ecosystem-health and disturbance topics markedly underrepresented.

Synthesis and Recommendations
PAM research is advancing rapidly but remains geographically uneven and methodologically fragmented. Strengthening standardised yet flexible protocols and expanding capacity in under-represented regions will be essential to fully realise its value for global bat conservation.