The soundscape is a crucial habitat feature for marine mammals. This study investigates the contribution of bearded seal vocalizations to the soundscape in the western Canadian Arctic, and also the vocal characteristics of bearded seals relative to sea ice conditions. Passive acoustic data were recorded near Sachs Harbour between August 2015 and July 2016. Sound pressure levels (SPL) in the 50–1,000 Hz and 1–10 kHz bands increased as the total duration of all bearded seal vocalizations increased, and this relationship was moderated by sea ice concentration. Bearded seals in this region had an overlapping vocal repertoire with bearded seals in other areas of the Arctic, and had seven additional vocalizations that have not been previously documented for this region. This study is the first detailed assessment of the influence of bearded seal calls on SPL, which shows the high potential of bearded seals to influence underwater sound levels during the mating season. Bearded seals live in a changing Arctic seascape, and their influence on the soundscape may shift as sea ice continues to diminish. It is imperative that acoustic monitoring continues within the Arctic, and this study provides a baseline for future monitoring as the Arctic continues to change.

中文翻译：

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大胡子海豹（Erignathus barbatus）的发声及其对加拿大西部北极地区声景的影响

声景是海洋哺乳动物重要的栖息地特征。这项研究调查了胡须海豹发声对加拿大西部北极地区声景的贡献，以及胡须海豹相对于海冰条件的发声特征。在2015年8月至2016年7月之间，在萨克斯港附近记录了无源声学数据。随着所有有胡子海豹发声的总持续时间的增加，在50–1,000 Hz和1–10 kHz频带内的声压级（SPL）有所增加，并且这种关系有所缓和通过海冰浓度。该地区的胡须海豹与北极其他地区的胡海豹有重叠的人声库，并且还有该地区以前没有记录的另外7种人声。这项研究是对胡须密封对SPL的影响的首次详细评估，表明胡须密封在交配季节有很大的潜力影响水下声级。大胡子海豹生活在变化的北极海景中，随着海冰继续减少，它们对声景的影响可能会发生变化。当务之急是继续在北极范围内进行声学监测，这项研究为北极继续变化时的未来监测提供了基准。