Protecting soundscapes in U.S. National Parks: lessons learned and tools developed

Abstract

Researchers and protected area managers' are working together to protect natural soundscapes in U.S. National Parks. In this paper, soundscapes have been defined as the total acoustics environment and includes the sounds of nature and as well as anthropogenic noise (unwanted sounds). In particular, human-caused noise can mask the sounds of nature and detract from the quality of the visitor experience and have negative impacts on wildlife in parks and protected areas. Over the past decade, researchers at Colorado State University have teamed up with the United States National Park Service (USNPS) to explore, build simulation models of, and derive management actions in National Parks in order to protect natural quiet and the soundscapes of national parks. This paper will provide an overview of challenges and successes of these efforts in order to create a list of lessons learned. In particular, results (maps, models and experiments) of studies in Denali National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park Yosemite National Park and Sequoia Kings National Park will be shown and presented in order to show how these data can lead to informed management decision making. This research was funded by the USNPS Natural Sounds Program as well as support from aforementioned parks.