Abstract
Traffic noise is known to negatively affect many wildlife species by interfering with foraging behavior. Frogs often lay their eggs in roadside ditches because they are predator-free, but it is possible that traffic noise could reduce the survival and fitness of tadpoles, creating an ecological trap. In a series of lab experiments, we tested whether traffic noise has a negative impact on tadpole feeding behavior, whether this is mediated by changes in tadpole activity, and whether there is any impact on tadpole growth rate or metamorphosis. Traffic noise exposure significantly reduced the amount of food consumed by Cuban Treefrog (Osteopilus septentrionalis) tadpoles. Traffic noise exposure also increased the activity level of both Southern Toad (Anaxyrus terrestris) and Cuban Treefrog tadpoles, which could possibly make them more noticeable to predators in the wild. However, these behavioral changes were not associated with changes in growth rate or timing of metamorphosis. We caution, however, that this study aimed to isolate the specific impact of traffic noise, and did not investigate other road effects that may be damaging to tadpoles.
Highlights
We have known for decades that chronic exposure to traffic noise has negative effects on human health and quality of life (Broner 1978), ranging from annoyance (Ouis 2001), to disrupted sleeping patterns (Öhrström et al 2006), to increased risk for heart disease (Babisch 2000)
Effect of traffic noise on tadpole activity level. Both Southern Toad and Cuban Treefrog tadpoles were more active in the traffic noise treatment compared to the no noise control (Figs. 3, 4; Table 2)
There was no significant effect of we observed that exposure to traffic noise increased tadpole activity level and decreased the amount of food consumed during an experimental trial, we did not observe any corresponding effects on timing or size at metamorphosis
Summary
We have known for decades that chronic exposure to traffic noise has negative effects on human health and quality of life (Broner 1978), ranging from annoyance (Ouis 2001), to disrupted sleeping patterns (Öhrström et al 2006), to increased risk for heart disease (Babisch 2000) Roads and their associated traffic are one of the most pervasive and obvious signatures of humans on the landscape; Riitters and Wickham (2003) estimated that less than 3% of the contiguous United States is located more than 5 km from a paved road, and that percentage has almost certainly shrunk since .
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