How do insects, frogs, birds, and bats use sound in their daily lives?

In the context of environmental science, noise pollution poses a significant threat to wildlife because many animals rely on sound as a fundamental tool for survival. Insects, frogs, birds, and bats utilize sound in their daily lives for several critical functions:1

• Insects: Many insects, such as crickets and katydids, use sound primarily for communication and mating. Males produce species-specific songs through stridulation—rubbing body parts together—to attract females and establish territories.234
• Frogs: Frogs are highly vocal and use species-specific calls to communicate, primarily to attract mates. These sounds are produced by moving air between the lungs and mouth across vocal cords.34
• Birds: Birds use vocalizations for mating, territorial defense, and social contact. Many species use distinct songs to assert claims over territory and warn off rivals. Some, like certain cave-dwelling swiftlets, also use echolocation for navigation.56
• Bats: Most bats rely on echolocation to navigate and hunt. By emitting high-frequency pulses and interpreting the returning echoes, they can identify the location, distance, and nature of prey or obstacles in total darkness.76

Noise pollution can interfere with these essential activities, potentially threatening the survival of these species by disrupting their ability to find food, avoid predators, or reproduce.1