Pijanowski Speaks on Biodiversity, Soundscapes at Think Corner Helsinki

Dr. Bryan Pijanowski, professor of landscape and soundscape ecology, presented a talk titled "The current biodiversity crisis needs creative solutions" at the Think Corner at the University of Helsinki in Finland on Tuesday, April 26. The presentation was live-streamed and is available online at the same link.

Presentation summary:

Dr. Bryan Pijanowski poses with a field microphone"Dr. Pijanowski's talk will focus on exploring the essence of Earth's soundscapes. Soundscapes are composed of sounds from animals – the biophony; the geophysical environment such as wind, rain, and thunder – also called the geophony; as well as sounds from human sources, including planes, boats, and automobiles –which we call technophony. Soundscapes are also important sensory inputs for many biological organisms, as sound provides people and animals with information about how the environment is changing. He will tell us about his explorations and summarize the work he has conducted around the world analyzing over 4 million soundscape recordings from such exotic places as Borneo, Mongolia and the Caribbean Sea."

Pijanowski came to Purdue in 2003 as an associate professor and was promoted to full professor in 2011. He was named Director of the Center for Global Soundscapes in 2013. Pijanowski was named as a University Faculty Scholar in 2013 and earned the College of Agriculture's PK-12 Education Award for Emerging Faculty in 2016. He was recently named an Innovation and Entrepreneurship Ambassador for the College of Agriculture.

Through the use of acoustic sensors, artificial intelligence tools, and big data mining techniques, Pijanowski and the Center for Global Soundscapes seek to understand how humans impact biodiversity so that they can create a better future for all 11 million species, while also improving human well-being.

Pijanowski has previously addressed the topic of biodiversity and soundscapes in a TEDx Talk titled "Listen to the Earth" on Nov. 1, 2019.

Featured Stories

The Ecology of Natural Disturbances class stands in front of the Smoky Mountains.
Disturbance Ecology Comes to Life on Spring Break Trip

Every other year, the FNR 53600/53601 Ecology of Natural Disturbances class takes a spring break...

Read More
Dr. Eva Haviarova receives her SWST fellow certificate in Korea; Haviarova stands with research posters about her work at the SWST conference.
Haviarova Named International Society of Wood Science and Technology Fellow

Eva Haviarova, professor of wood science, has been named a fellow of the International Society of...

Read More
A landscape photo of a waterfall in Sweden, taken by Sam Lillie.
FNR Field Report: Sam Lillie Provides Sweden-Norway Study Abroad Week 3 Recap

Senior Sam Lillie provides a recap of the Week 3 action during the Sustainable Natural Resources...

Read More
Facade of Pfendler Hall
FNR Celebrates Awards, Honors from Spring, Summer 2026

Several Forestry and Natural Resources students, staff and recent alumni have been recognized for...

Read More
Scientist uses 3D water sensor near water.
Purdue Researchers Use 3D Printing to Make Open-Source Alternative to Costly Groundwater Sensors

A plume of contamination spreads underground. A building's foundation weakens. A wetland...

Read More
Jarred Brooke holds a flapper in front a field that is smoking after a prescribed burn.
Jarred Brooke Receives Early Career Award for Prescribed Fire Work

Jarred Brooke, Extension wildlife specialist, was honored with a Career Achievement Award at the...

Read More