Modeling anthropogenic noise impacts on animals in natural areas

Abstract

1. Noise pollution is detrimental to a diversity of animal species and degrades natural areas, raising concern over the expanding footprint of anthropogenic noise on ecosystems. To guide management of noise sources, modeling tools have been developed to quantify noise levels across landscapes. 2. We demonstrate how to model anthropogenic noise using sound propagation models, including noise from point, line, and polygon sources. In addition, we demonstrate three ways of evaluating spatially-explicit noise impacts, by identifying where noise 1) exceeds a sound level threshold, 2) is audible, or 3) has the potential to mask species communications. Finally, we examine approaches to mitigate these noise impacts on animal species. 3. Noise sources in locations more favorable to sound propagation (e.g., locations with long, unobstructed lines-of-sight) will have a disproportionate impact on the surrounding area.We demonstrate how propagation models can identify sites with smaller acoustic footprints or sites that would benefit from additional noise-control measures. 4. Modeling decisions, such as choice of sound propagation model, sound source information, and the quality of the input data, strongly influence the accuracy of model predictions. These decisions can be guided by comparing model predictions to empirical data when it is available. 5. Synthesis and applications: Here, we demonstrate an approach for modeling and assessing anthropogenic noise sources across a landscape. Our versatile approach allows refining propagation outputs for species-specific questions as well as the quantitative evaluation of management alternatives. While the results are presented in the context of particular species, these approaches can be applied more generally to a wide range of taxa or used for multispecies assessments.

Large‐scale manipulation of the acoustic environment can alter the abundance of breeding birds: Evidence from a phantom natural gas field

“…The data we present here are important for management decisions regarding where future noise‐producing infrastructure is placed and the current implementation of mitigation strategies in high‐value habitats exposed to noise. Energy extraction companies can design and build compressor engines to be quieter and lower bandwidth (Motruik, ) and place compressor stations where they will create the lowest noise footprint (Keyel et al, ). Building noise‐attenuating walls around existing compressor stations will reduce both the sound level (Francis et al, ) and potentially the bandwidth of noise that intrudes onto adjacent wildlife habitat (Hidaka, Beranek, & Okano, ).…”

Snowmobile noise alters bird vocalization patterns during winter and pre-breeding season

“…Wind noise is a particular issue, as it introduces low-frequency acoustic energy that may be mislabeled as an engine (Juodakis & Marsland, 2021). While studies have mapped the prevalence of snowmobile noise in American wilderness areas (Mullet & Morton, 2021) and explored potential for masking of bird calls (Keyel et al, 2018), little work has been done to measure direct impacts of snowmobiles on bird vocalizations (National Park Service, 2013).…”

Snowmobile noise alters bird vocalization patterns during winter and pre‐breeding season

“…Wind noise is a particular issue, as it introduces low‐frequency acoustic energy that may be mislabeled as an engine (Juodakis & Marsland, 2021). While studies have mapped the prevalence of snowmobile noise in American wilderness areas (Mullet & Morton, 2021) and explored potential for masking of bird calls (Keyel et al., 2018), little work has been done to measure direct impacts of snowmobiles on bird vocalizations (National Park Service, 2013).…”