With a public campaign, the Austrian Academy of Sciences (OeAW) is highlighting that investment in research and development is also an investment in the future. Under the slogan “No research, no answers,” the OeAW makes its position clear: research is part of the solution – not part of the problem.
Angela Stöger, a biologist at ARI, is one of five ambassadors for this campaign.
Why is acoustic communication important for animals?
Angela Stöger: Acoustic communication plays a central role for many animals because it allows information to be transmitted quickly and effectively over long distances. From insects and birds to whales, animals use sounds to convey different kinds of information, much like we humans do. This can include attracting mates, defending territories, coordinating within social groups, or warning of danger. Acoustic signals are particularly useful in environments where visual or chemical cues are less effective—such as in dense forests, underwater, or at night. Just as with humans, these signals help animals to better perceive their environment and improve their chances of survival.
Why do animals use frequencies that humans can’t hear?
Stöger: Animals rely on inaudible frequencies for several reasons. Some of it comes down to anatomy: large sound-producing organs, such as those found in elephants or baleen whales, are capable of generating infrasound. Another reason is adaptation to lifestyle. For instance, bats and dolphins utilize ultrasound for echolocation, enabling them to navigate their surroundings and detect prey. While these signals are beyond the range of human hearing, they play essential roles in survival and communication for the animals that use them.
The origins of language
What can research on animal sounds tell us about human language?
Stöger: Since speech organs don’t fossilize, we can’t study the origins of human language directly. However, research into animal vocalizations enables us, through comparative studies, to gain insights into how language may have evolved, how it developed, and why humans have evolved such an efficient form of communication. We see both parallels and differences with other species. Like animals, we use sounds to transmit information, build social bonds, and alert one another to danger. But human language stands apart in its remarkable flexibility, its syntax, and its ability to express complex and abstract ideas.
How does your research support conservation?
Stöger: Elephants are a very practical example of how animal vocalization research contributes to conservation. They communicate in part through infrasound that humans cannot detect, but which carries over great distances. With passive acoustic monitoring, we can record these signals to identify populations, track migration patterns, or detect stress responses—all without disturbing the animals. Such systems can also serve as acoustic early warning tools, helping to predict human-elephant conflicts or detect poaching activity. In this way, our research not only provides fundamental insights into animal behavior but also actively supports species protection and habitat management.
Will humans ever be able to understand animals—or even talk with them?
Stöger: I hope so!
OeAW campaign "No research, no answers"