Jesse R. Barber

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Jesse R. Barber is a leading sensory ecologist whose work illuminates how natural acoustic environments shape animal behavior, distribution, and community dynamics. His research integrates behavioral ecology, neurobiology, and conservation, focusing on how animals—particularly birds, bats, and insects—navigate and adapt to complex soundscapes. Barber’s most-cited paper, “Phantom rivers filter birds and bats by acoustic niche” (2021, 38 citations), tests the groundbreaking hypothesis that intense natural sounds, like whitewater river noise, can act as acoustic filters, altering species distributions and foraging behaviors. This work challenges traditional ecological theory by demonstrating that sensory environments are not passive backdrops but active forces structuring ecosystems. Barber has also made seminal contributions to understanding predator-prey interactions in the dark, including how bats use echolocation to hunt and how insects evolve counter-adaptations like ultrasound-sensitive ears. His research has profound implications for conservation, particularly in mitigating the impacts of anthropogenic noise on wildlife. With over 1,500 citations, Barber is recognized as a pioneer in sensory ecology, bridging gaps between neurobiology, behavior, and conservation science.