Does experimentally quieting traffic noise benefit people and birds?

Ecology and Society: a journal of integrative science for resilience and sustainability

article

Mitchell J. Levenhagen¹  Zachary D. Miller²  Alissa R. Petrelli⁴  Lauren A. Ferguson⁵  Yau-Huo (Jimmy) Shr⁶  B. Derrick Taff⁷  Kurt M. Fristrup⁸  Christopher J.W. McClure¹  Shan Burson⁸  Michael Giamellaro^1,10  Peter Newman^1,11  Clinton D. Francis⁴  Jesse R. Barber¹ 

[1] Boise State University;Institute of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, Utah State University;Ecology Center, Utah State University;California Polytechnic State University;University of New Hampshire;Department of Agricultural Economics, National Taiwan University;Recreation, Park and Tourism Management, Penn State University;National Park Service;The Peregrine Fund;Oregon State University-Cascades;Penn State University

关键词: noise mitigation;    protected areas;    soundscape;    speed limit reduction;    traffic noise;    visitor experience;   

DOI  :  10.5751/ES-12277-260232

学科分类：生物科学（综合）

来源: Resilience Alliance Publications

【 摘 要 】

Protected natural areas are not free from noise, especially noise generated by traffic within park boundaries. Natural soundscapes are important for maintaining community structure, providing positive visitor experiences, and increasing visitor support for management actions that reduce impacts on natural resources. To test experimental quieting as a strategy to increase both wildlife habitat quality and visitor experience, we enforced decreased speed limits and presented educational signage to reduce sound levels along a road system in an alternating, on–off block design within Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, USA. We continuously recorded background sound levels while conducting bird space use assessments and visitor-intercept surveys along the experimental corridor. Our mitigation approach lowered sound levels during sign-present weeks, yet there was no relationship between bird space use near roadways and traffic noise, perhaps due to the increased duration of noise exposure created by lower speed limits. There was, however, a relationship between visitor perception of birdsong diversity and background sound level. Critically, visitors preferred soundscape mitigation strategies limiting personal access in exchange for better experiences in natural soundscapes.

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