Citation

Delaney D, Marston T. J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 2012; 132(3): 2063.

Affiliation

U.S. Army, ERDC/CERL, 2902 Newmark Drive, Champaign, IL 61821david.delaney@erdc.usace.army.mil.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, American Institute of Physics)

DOI

10.1121/1.4755602

PMID

22979684

Abstract

Live-fire training exercises on military installations are known to impact tree health and can potentially affect nesting/foraging habitat and behavior of terrestrial animals, though few studies have attempted to quantify and characterize bullet overshot from military training operations downrange into sensitive wildlife areas. There is concern about the potential impact that downrange military munitions might have on the federally endangered Red-cockaded Woodpecker and its foraging and nesting habitat. Various anecdotal methods have been used in an attempt to document bullet overshot, but none of these methods have been shown to be effective. The objective of this project is to demonstrate that acoustical techniques can accurately and effectively record and characterize live-fire bullet overshot into sensitive wildlife areas downrange of active military ranges. This research is part of a long-term study on Fort Benning, GA to investigate how munitions fire affects Red-cockaded Woodpecker nesting/foraging habitat and nesting behavior, while also investigating the effectiveness of earthen berms at stopping bullets from entering downrange areas. Preliminary results and field protocols will be presented and discussed.

Language: en