PAMGuard: Application software for passive acoustic detection, classification, and localisation of animal sounds

Detection, classification, and localisation of animal sounds are essential in many ecological studies, including density estimation and behavioural studies. Real-time acoustic processing can also be used in mitigation exercises, with the possibility of curtailing harmful human activities when animals are present. Animal vocalisations vary widely, and there is no single detection algorithm that can robustly detect all sound types. Human-in-the loop analysis is often required to validate algorithm performance and deal with unexpected noise sources such as are often encountered in real-world situations. The PAMGuard software combines advanced automatic analysis algorithms, including AI methods, with interactive visual tools allowing users to develop efficient workflows for both real-time use and for processing archived datasets. A modular framework enables users to configure multiple detectors, classifiers, and localisers suitable for the equipment and species of interest in a particular application. Multiple detectors for different sound types can be run concurrently on the same data. An extensible "plug-in" interface also makes it possible for third parties to independently develop new modules to run within the software framework. Here, we describe the software's core functionality, illustrated using workflows for both real-time and offline use, and present an update on the latest features.