An environmental index of noise and light pollution at EU by spatial correlation of quiet and unlit areas

Votsi, Nefta-Eleftheria; Kallimanis, Athanasios S.; Pantis, Ioannis

doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2016.12.015

Cited by 18 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…Despite the fact that light at night and noise often co-occur, in particular in urbanised areas (64), few studies so far have addressed how these two sensory pollutants can influence each other's impact. In birds, several correlational studies investigated the combined effects of light and noise on activity patterns, with contrasting results.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multisensory pollution: Artificial light at night and anthropogenic noise have interactive effects on activity patterns of great tits (Parus major)

Dominoni

Smit²,

Visser

et al. 2020

Environmental Pollution

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Urbanisation is increasing globally at a rapid pace. Consequently, wild species face novel environmental stressors associated with urban sprawl, such as artificial light at night and noise. These stressors have pervasive effects on the behaviour and physiology of many species. Most studies have singled out the impact of just one of these stressors, while in the real world they are likely to co-occur both temporally and spatially, and we thus lack a clear understanding of the combined effect of anthropogenic stressors on wild species. Here, we experimentally exposed captive male great tits (Parus major) to artificial light at night and 24h noise in a fully factorial experiment. We then measured the effect of both these stressors on their own and their combination on the amount and timing of activity patterns. We found that both light and noise affected activity patterns when presented alone, but in opposite ways: light increased activity, particularly at night, while noise reduced it, particularly during the day. When the two stressors were combined, we found a synergistic effect on the total activity and the nighttime activity, but an antagonistic effect on daytime activity. The significant interaction between noise and light treatment also differed among forest and city birds. Indeed, we detected a significant interactive effect on light and noise on daytime, nighttime, dusktime and offset of activity of urban birds, but not of forest birds. These results suggest that both artificial light at night and anthropogenic noise can drive changes in activity patterns, but that the specific impacts depend on the habitat of origin. Furthermore, our results demonstrate that co-occurring exposure to noise and light can lead to a stronger impact at night than predicted from the additive effects and thus that multisensory pollution may be a considerable threat for wildlife. Summary capsule: Anthropogenic light and noise have interactive effects on bird activity patterns, and urban and forest birds differ in their response to these sensory pollutants.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multisensory pollution: Artificial light at night and anthropogenic noise have interactive effects on activity patterns of great tits (Parus major)

Dominoni

Smit²,

Visser

et al. 2020

Environmental Pollution

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“…This is dramatically affecting land as well as aquatic and open sea areas. Mediterranean and temperate zones, mangroves and forest regions in proximity to agricultural areas are particularly affected (Votsi et al, 2017). Today, more than 80% of the worlds population lives under a "lit sky" at night (Falchi et al, 2016), actually affecting up to 99% in Europe and North America and on the increase in the Middle East (Tamir et al, 2017) and Asia (Jiang et al, 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exposure to Artificial Light at Night and the Consequences for Flora, Fauna, and Ecosystems

et al. 2020

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The present review draws together wide-ranging studies performed over the last decades that catalogue the effects of artificial-light-at-night (ALAN) upon living species and their environment. We provide an overview of the tremendous variety of light-detection strategies which have evolved in living organisms - unicellular, plants and animals, covering chloroplasts (plants), and the plethora of ocular and extra-ocular organs (animals). We describe the visual pigments which permit photo-detection, paying attention to their spectral characteristics, which extend from the ultraviolet into infrared. We discuss how organisms use light information in a way crucial for their development, growth and survival: phototropism, phototaxis, photoperiodism, and synchronization of circadian clocks. These aspects are treated in depth, as their perturbation underlies much of the disruptive effects of ALAN. The review goes into detail on circadian networks in living organisms, since these fundamental features are of critical importance in regulating the interface between environment and body. Especially, hormonal synthesis and secretion are often under circadian and circannual control, hence perturbation of the clock will lead to hormonal imbalance. The review addresses how the ubiquitous introduction of light-emitting diode technology may exacerbate, or in some cases reduce, the generalized ever-increasing light pollution. Numerous examples are given of how widespread exposure to ALAN is perturbing many aspects of plant and animal behaviour and survival: foraging, orientation, migration, seasonal reproduction, colonization and more. We examine the potential problems at the level of individual species and populations and extend the debate to the consequences for ecosystems. We stress, through a few examples, the synergistic harmful effects resulting from the impacts of ALAN combined with other anthropogenic pressures, which often impact the neuroendocrine loops in vertebrates. The article concludes by debating how these anthropogenic changes could be mitigated by more reasonable use of available technology – for example by restricting illumination to more essential areas and hours, directing lighting to avoid wasteful radiation and selecting spectral emissions, to reduce impact on circadian clocks. We end by discussing how society should take into account the potentially major consequences that ALAN has on the natural world and the repercussions for ongoing human health and welfare.

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“…The novelty of our approach is that we propose a method for tranquillity mapping that combines both noise and light pollution. To our knowledge, there is only one study so far that has developed a combined indicator for mapping noise and light pollution (Votsi et al, 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Thinking over the concepts from the literature analyzed above, a number of hypotheses were adopted to develop the framework for mapping tranquillity. These hypotheses accept that people find tranquillity in spaces where: (a) artificial noises are absent or low enough to enable the hearing of natural sounds (Aletta et al, 2016;Botteldooren et al, 2011;De Coensel and Botteldooren, 2006;EEA, 2014;Garcı´a et al, 2013;Payne, 2013;Pheasant et al, 2010;Votsi et al, 2012Votsi et al, , 2014; (b) light pollution is absent or low enough to enable views of the dark night sky (Chalkias et al, 2006;Hewlett et al, 2017;Jackson et al, 2008;Votsi et al, 2017); (c) population density is low enough to create a sense of ruralness (EEA, 2014;Hewlett et al, 2017;Jackson et al, 2008;Pheasant et al, 2010) and (d) there is a high concentration of natural characteristics to enable the perception of naturalness (forests, mountainous areas, lakes, rivers and coasts) that further enable the perception of tranquillity (Bell, 1999;Land Use Consultants 2007;Jackson et al, 2008;Pheasant et al, 2008Pheasant et al, , 2009aPheasant et al, , 2009bPheasant et al, , 2010. Table 1 summarizes indicators that have been used for mapping and act either as barriers or enablers of tranquillity.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A cost-effective method for tranquility mapping using open environmental data

Pafi

Chalkias

Stathakis

2018

Environment and Planning B: Urban Analytics and City Science

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In this study, we propose a cost-effective method for tranquillity mapping using multi-criteria analysis and open geospatial data. We apply this method in an extended zone around a major Greek highway trespassing areas of high natural value. Composite criteria are developed through analytic functions and geostatistical methods to reflect either barriers or enablers of tranquillity. The results indicate that it is possible to identify tranquility zones which are spatially plausible. To verify the validity of the results, we calculate the Kappa coefficient (0.71) and the overall accuracy (80%) using preference data obtained from non-specialized photo-interpreters in a sample of places on Google Earth. We believe that this method can inform planning, especially in countries with a weak landscape policy.

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An environmental index of noise and light pollution at EU by spatial correlation of quiet and unlit areas

Cited by 18 publications

References 36 publications

Multisensory pollution: Artificial light at night and anthropogenic noise have interactive effects on activity patterns of great tits (Parus major)

Multisensory pollution: Artificial light at night and anthropogenic noise have interactive effects on activity patterns of great tits (Parus major)

Exposure to Artificial Light at Night and the Consequences for Flora, Fauna, and Ecosystems

A cost-effective method for tranquility mapping using open environmental data

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