Listening to the wild: a review of bioacoustics studies in India

More than 50% of animal biodiversity is limited to the tropics, where many developing nations with limited conservation resources are situated. This necessitates using non-invasive, relatively inexpensive, and time-efficient ways to monitor and study animals. In this study, we present the results of a systematic review of research on bioacoustics in India. We identify priority themes and areas for future research. The review profiles the trend of bioacoustics research in India by content analysis from 1945 to 2024. We provide a snapshot of bioacoustics research trends in terms of taxonomic groups, geographical locations, research discipline, themes and bioacoustics techniques used. Bioacoustics studies were highly limited in the case of aquatic animals and soundscapes. The application of bioacoustics was skewed towards behavioural and systematic research. The research was particularly prevalent in the biodiversity hotspots of the Western Ghats, whereas studies from the Northern and Central regions of the country were lacking. The review highlights the need for large-scale spatio-temporal bioacoustics assessments in India’s understudied taxa and regions. We also recommend various suggestions for advancements in bioacoustics research in priority biodiversity regions in India and across the globe.