Effects of noise on fishes: What we can learn from humans and birds

Abstract

In this paper we describe the masking of pure tones in humans and birds by man-made noises and show that similar ideas can be applied when considering the potential effects of noise on fishes, as well as other aquatic vertebrates. Results from many studies on humans and birds, both in the field and in the laboratory, show that published critical ratios can be used to predict the masked thresholds for pure tones when maskers consist of complex man-made and natural noises. We argue from these data that a single, simple measure, the species critical ratio, can be used to estimate the effect of man-made environmental noises on the perception of communication and other biologically relevant sounds. We also reason that if this principle holds for species as diverse as humans and birds, it probably also applies for all other vertebrates, including fishes.

Ecology of fish hearing

“…Close to the noise source, where the noise levels are the highest, many different effects may occur simultaneously. Whereas, at greater distances from the noise source, where noise levels are lower, the more drastic effects are reduced (Figure ; Dooling et al ., ).…”

“…Figure not to scale. (Adapted from Dooling et al ., .) TTS, temporary threshold shift; PTS, permanent threshold shift…”

“…However, there is considerable published literature on the effects of anthropogenic activity for terrestrial and marine mammals that can be used for EIAs but much less available on fishes. Given the adverse consequences of elevated noise on humans and other mammals, it is likely that a similar range of effects occurs in fish and other aquatic animals ( Figure 6; Dooling et al, 2015). Generally, the effects of anthropogenic noise range from disturbance that may lead to displacement from feeding or breeding areas, to auditory damage, tissue trauma and mortality (Carroll et al, 2017).…”

“…Close to the noise source, where the noise levels are the highest, many different effects may occur simultaneously. Whereas, at greater distances from the noise source, where noise levels are lower, the more drastic effects are reduced ( Figure 6; Dooling et al, 2015). although potentially lethal, is rare (Erbe, 2012) and the injured animals would have to be very close to the noise source for physical damage to tissues and organs to occur (Dooling et al, 2009).…”

Acoustic communication in marine shallow waters: testing the acoustic adaptive hypothesis in sand gobies

“…In addition, to investigate whether comfortable communication is possible (sensu Dooling et al, 2015), it is also important to consider whether, besides signal detection, the signal information content is perceived (Alves et al, 2016). To allow comfortable communication and therefore a good representation of the sound structure in the auditory system, the received sound levels should be well above the species' hearing thresholds.…”