Expanding the uptake of conservation technology: insights from efforts to share conservation bioacoustics capacity in Indonesia and Malaysia

Wendy M Erb , Dasi Ong, Dena Jane Clink , Larissa Sayuri Moreira Sugai, Rahayu Oktaviani, Jasmine A Savitri, Laurel B Symes, Ben Gottesman

Passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) of terrestrial habitats has grown exponentially over the last three decades, given recent technological advances and the utility of this approach in providing information on acoustically active animals, their habitats, and human activities across large spatial and temporal scales. Yet, just 1% of PAM studies were conducted in Southeast Asia, despite the region’s global biodiversity importance. Both equipment availability and technical expertise are major constraints limiting the development of PAM in the region. To address this gap, we developed a capacity-sharing programme to support emerging practitioners in the use of PAM in Indonesia and Malaysia through equipment, training, mentoring, and networking. This paper describes the programme’s design, development, implementation, and evaluation, and provides a detailed roadmap of our approach as well as a repository of training and assessment materials we developed across two cohorts of this year-long, in-depth programme. Utilizing quantitative and qualitative approaches, we assess the programme’s strengths and weaknesses as well as its impacts on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of its participants. Here, we provide an evidence base to demonstrate the positive impact of pairing technology with extended engagement through training, mentoring, and networking activities. We also provide practical resources for scientists and practitioners across the globe to develop successful capacity-sharing programmes in emerging conservation technology fields.