25 Jul Monitoring The Soundscape: An Introduction
The focus of my project while in Glacier is to conduct sound monitoring in the park to see how the soundscape has changed. A soundscape includes all the audible sounds within a specific area. Preserving the natural soundscape is important to preserve wilderness character, which includes the defining qualities of wilderness. Noise pollution affects how wildlife navigate the landscape, from mating to locating prey to other complex communication important for wildlife survival. Additionally, the soundscape impacts visitor experience. Many visitors come to national parks to experience natural peace and the sounds of nature. In order to preserve the natural soundscape for future generations, it needs to be managed and monitored as a natural resource.
Since Glacier’s baseline soundscape study in 2004 the number of commercial air tours has decreased due to restrictions from Glacier’s Air Tour Management Plan, while the number of visitors has increased from about 2 to 3 million people per year. These changes have mixed impacts on the soundscape of the park. I am monitoring the soundscape at previously measured and new locations in the park with a focus on wilderness areas by setting up monitoring equipment at the sites then analyzing the data.
Since Glacier’s soundscape study in 2004 the number of commercial air tours has decreased due to restrictions from Glacier’s Air Tour Management Plan, while the number of visitors has increased from about 2 to 3 million people per year. These changes have mixed impacts on the soundscape of the park. I am monitoring the soundscape at previously measured and new locations in the park with a focus on wilderness areas by setting up monitoring equipment at the sites then analyzing the data.
I selected monitoring sites from the 2004 study to repeat measurements based on vegetation cover, previous air tour activity, and visitor use since they have the greatest impact on sound levels. I will then set up the equipment at the selected sites and check it once a week. The equipment includes a calibrated sound level meter to measure the overall decibel level, a digital audio recorder to identify sound sources, and an anemometer to measure wind speed. Next, I will perform audio and visual analysis to identify sound sources.
To compare the soundscapes in 2004 and 2023 with greater precision I will reanalyze a subset of the 2004 sound files in addition to the 2023 sound files using current methodologies since improvements in analysis methods could lead to more accurate results.
Thank you to my supervisor, Jillian McKenna, for your support, mentorship, and guidance. Big thank you to Damon Joyce from the National Park Service Natural Sounds and Night Skies Division, who taught me how to use the sound monitoring equipment and analysis software. Special thank you to Raven Devaney for doing fieldwork with me. Huge thank you to the Environment for the Americas staff and the Mosaics in Science program who made this incredible internship opportunity possible.
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