Search Results (42)

Urban wetlands are acoustic hotspots where vegetation structure, hydrological dynamics, and anthropogenic noise interact, yet multi-season assessments of how vegetation influences avian soundscapes are limited. This study explored bird soundscape dynamics across forest, open forest grassland, and meadow habitats in Nanjing Xinjizhou National Wetland Park, eastern China, using passive acoustic monitoring during spring and autumn 2023. Twelve sampling points (four per vegetation type) were established, and six acoustic indices were calculated, including the Acoustic Complexity Index (ACI), Acoustic Diversity Index (ADI), Acoustic Evenness Index (AEI), Bioacoustic Index (BIO), Normalized Difference Soundscape Index (NDSI), and Acoustic Entropy Index (H). were calculated from 48-h recordings each season. Random forest models and redundancy analysis assessed the relationships between acoustic indices, fine-scale vegetation parameters (e.g., crown width, tree height, species richness), and anthropogenic factors (e.g., distance to roads/trails, surface hardness). Vegetation structure, particularly crown width, was the primary driver of avian acoustic diversity, with broad-crowned forests consistently exhibiting the highest acoustic complexity. In spring, anthropogenic factors such as trail and road proximity dominated soundscape variation, suppressing biological sounds. In autumn, with reduced human presence, vegetation structure emerged as the dominant factor, while bioacoustic activity remained elevated despite reduced peaks in acoustic complexity. Proximity to roads increased low-frequency (1–2 kHz) noise and suppressed mid-frequency (4–8 kHz) bird vocalizations, but trees with crown widths ≥4 m maintained higher acoustic diversity even near disturbance sources. This study demonstrates that vegetation structure mediates both resource availability and sound propagation, buffering the effects of anthropogenic disturbance in frequency-specific ways. Multi-season sampling is crucial for understanding the dynamic interplay between vegetation phenology and human activity that shapes urban wetland soundscapes. Full article

Background/Objectives: 40 Hz sensory stimulation is being explored for cognitive health applications, but sustained use may be constrained by the listenability of simple 40 Hz auditory stimuli. We examined user-perceived acceptability and implementation considerations for 40 Hz auditory stimulation delivered by embedding a pure 40 Hz sine wave within nature-based soundscapes. Methods: Eleven adults aged ≥ 40 years in Seoul, Republic of Korea were assigned to waves or forest soundscapes (between-participants) and completed a within-session exposure to two conditions within the assigned set: 40 Hz–OFF (soundscape-only) and 40 Hz–ON (soundscape plus an additively layered 40 Hz sine wave). Each condition comprised seven cycles of 50 s playback and 10 s silence (~7 min) with a 10 min washout. After completing both listening blocks, participants provided brief comparative session-end ratings to aid recall and then completed a semi-structured interview focused on detectability and comparative impressions while blinded to condition identity. Following debriefing about the 40 Hz manipulation, participants completed a session-end 7-point Likert appraisal of the intended intervention stimulus (40 Hz–ON). Interview transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis and interpreted using the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability and Proctor et al.’s implementation outcomes as sensitizing frameworks. Results: Session-end appraisals suggested that the 40 Hz-integrated soundscape (40 Hz–ON) was generally listenable, with mid-to-high comfort and immersion (medians = 5) and low unpleasantness (median = 2), while perceived artificiality spanned the full scale (range 1–7) and overall preference was moderate (median = 4). Interviews indicated that acceptability was governed by perceptual integration: natural blending supported “backgroundable” listening, whereas salient low-frequency rumble or a mechanical/artificial timbre contributed to negative reactions. Implementation-relevant themes highlighted context fit (bedtime vs. morning routines), low-friction automation (timers/scheduling), and conservative acoustic safeguards (gentle onset and default levels). Conclusions: In a single-session evaluation among adults aged ≥ 40 years, embedding a 40 Hz sine wave within nature-based soundscapes was generally acceptable, with acceptability sensitive to perceptual integration and usage context. This qualitative study does not assess clinical or cognitive efficacy. These findings inform implementation considerations for cognitive health-oriented delivery, including space-oriented playback options, simplified automation, conservative acoustic safeguards, and coherence-supportive user guidance without overclaiming. Full article

Understanding how the built environment shapes residents’ emotional perceptions in old residential communities (ORCs) is essential for enhancing livability and supporting people-oriented urban regeneration. This study proposes an explainable analytical framework that integrates community attributes, streetscape indicators, and subjective evaluations. Using random forest (RF) regression combined with Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAP), we conducted an empirical study on ten ORCs in Yangzhou, China. A total of 1240 street view images (SVIs) were processed to extract social attributes, including building age, building scale, and point-of-interest (POI) diversity, as well as visual indicators such as walkability, green view index (GVI), and colorfulness. Six emotional perception scores were obtained from the MIT Place Pulse 2.0 model and further calibrated through questionnaires. The results show that the proposed framework effectively captures the spatial determinants of residents’ perceptions, with the model predictions being highly consistent with survey evaluations. Specifically, GVI and street enclosure are positively associated with perceptions of beauty, safety, and vitality, while building aging and functional monotony intensify negative feelings such as oppression and boredom. Visual diversity (VD) enhances aesthetic and vitality perceptions, whereas facility visual entropy demonstrates a dual role—reinforcing safety but potentially inducing oppressive feelings. By integrating interpretable machine learning with geospatial analysis, this study provides both theoretical and practical insights for micro-scale community renewal, and the framework can be extended to multimodal analyses including soundscapes and behavioral pathways. Full article

The quality of the soundscape in historical districts is receiving increasing attention from urban governments due to its significant potential to highlight historical characteristics and enhance the acoustic environment of urban areas. However, there is still a lack of research on the relationship between natural and cultural soundscapes as they interact in historic areas. Using the historical area of Wuhou Shrine Museum in Chengdu as a case study, this study analyzed the differences in sound levels, sound source recognition, and subjective perception between two distinct spatial types: the historical street and adjacent urban forest. Additionally, structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to explore the impact of sound source recognition and sound levels on subjective perception. The results reveal the following: (1) The soundscape interaction between the historical street and the adjacent urban forest exhibits a conflicting relationship, with cultural and natural soundscapes struggling to coexist harmoniously. (2) Within the historical region, L₁₀ has the strongest effect on subjective evaluation, while L₉₀ has the weakest. (3) Quietness is not always positively correlated with comfort and pleasure, indicating that a tranquil environment does not necessarily enhance pleasantness. These findings provide differentiated soundscape optimization strategies tailored to historical areas. Full article

As a perceptual representation of ecosystem structure and function, the soundscape has become an important indicator for evaluating ecological health and assessing the impacts of human disturbances. Understanding the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of soundscapes is essential for revealing ecological processes and human impacts in protected areas. This study investigates such heterogeneity in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park using deep learning approaches. To this end, we constructed a dataset comprising eight representative sound source categories by integrating field recordings with online audio (BBC Sound Effects Archive and Freesound), and trained a classification model to accurately identify biophony, geophony, and anthrophony, which enabled the subsequent analysis of spatiotemporal distribution patterns. Our results indicate that temporal variations in the soundscape are closely associated with circadian rhythms and tourist activities, while spatial patterns are strongly shaped by topography, vegetation, and human interference. Biophony is primarily concentrated in areas with minimal ecological disturbance, geophony is regulated by landforms and microclimatic conditions, and anthrophony tends to mask natural sound sources. Overall, the study highlights how deep learning-based soundscape classification can reveal the mechanisms by which natural and anthropogenic factors structure acoustic environments, offering methodological references and practical insights for ecological management and soundscape conservation. Full article

As tropical forests become increasingly vulnerable to land use changes, fragmentation, and climate shifts, efforts to minimise species loss are essential. Prevalent in most environments and having complex vocalisations, birds are key indicators of ecosystem health and a good model for acoustic monitoring. In Brazil, the Caparaó National Park (CNP) is a preserved remnant of the Atlantic Forest with great avian endemism. Despite having >600 species, limited research has utilised bioacoustics for species assessment. This study employed bioacoustics to examine soundscapes and community composition at two CNP locations—one with ombrophilous montane forest (OMF) and another with semi-deciduous seasonal forest (SSF). Four SongMeters were deployed, recording bird choruses from 08:00 to 11:00 a.m. for two months. Soundscape profiles and species composition were characterised using Raven Pro. Acoustic indices assessed correlations with avian species richness, and sites were compared using the Mann–Whitney U test. Ninety-eight species were detected, and species richness was greater within SSF. While acoustic indices had little impact on richness, they identified differing soundscapes: more ambient noise in OMF, and gunshots detected in SSF. The results indicate that bioacoustics can aid monitoring strategies. Given the presence of rare species and illegal activities, more studies are needed to support the conservation of birds in this critical environment. Full article

As research on national cultural parks advances, the significance of conducting multi-dimensional perception evaluations of their cultural ecosystem services (CESs) becomes increasingly apparent. This study examines the eight dimensions of CESs within the Grand Canal National Cultural Park from the perspective of soundscape preference. Using Tongzhou Grand Canal Forest Park as a case study, five categories of soundscapes comprising 19 sound sources were identified through the analysis of online textual data. This study then collected public preferences and perceptions of these five soundscapes via on-site questionnaires and analyzed the data using SPSS26 for correlation and IPA analyses. The results indicate that the overall evaluation of the park’s CESs is positive. There is a significant mutual influence between soundscape preference and CES perception. Specifically, the preference for natural soundscape significantly impacts the evaluation of each CES dimension, while satisfaction with leisure and entertainment is positively correlated with preferences for all types of soundscapes. Additionally, there are notable differences in soundscape preference among different age groups. These findings not only enhance our understanding of soundscape planning in national cultural parks but also provide valuable guidance for their management and design. Full article

Forest soundscapes contain rich ecological information that reflects the composition, structure, and dynamics of biodiversity within forest ecosystems. The effective monitoring of these soundscapes is essential for forest conservation and wildlife management. However, traditional manual annotation methods are time-consuming and limited in scalability, while commonly used acoustic indices such as the Normalized Difference Soundscape Index (NDSI) lack the capacity to resolve overlapping or complex sound sources often encountered in dense forest environments. To overcome these limitations, this study applied a deep learning-based multi-label classification approach to long-term field recordings collected from Shennongjia National Park, a typical subtropical forest ecosystem in China. The model automatically classifies sound sources into biophony, geophony, and anthrophony. Compared to the NDSI, the model demonstrated higher precision and robustness, especially under low-signal-to-noise-ratio conditions. While the NDSI provides an efficient overview of soundscape disturbances, it demonstrates limitations in differentiating geophonic components and detecting subtle variations. This study supports a complementary “macro–micro” analytical framework that enables capturing broad, time-averaged soundscape trends through the NDSI, while achieving fine-grained, label-specific detection of biophony, geophony, and anthrophony through the multi-label classification model. This integration enhances analytical resolution, enabling the scalable, automated monitoring of complex forest soundscapes. This study contributes a novel and adaptable approach for real-time biodiversity assessment and long-term forest conservation. Full article

Urban green spaces are critical yet understudied areas where anthropogenic and biological sounds interact. This study investigates how vegetation structure mediates the acoustic partitioning of urban soundscapes and informs sustainable forestry management. Through the principal component analysis (PCA) of 1–11 kHz frequency bands, we identified anthropogenic sounds (1–2 kHz) and biological sounds (2–11 kHz). Within bio-acoustic communities, PCA further revealed three positively correlated sub-clusters (2–4 kHz, 5–6 kHz, and 6–11 kHz), suggesting cooperative niche partitioning among avian, amphibian, and insect vocalizations. Linear mixed models highlighted vegetation’s dual role: mature tree stands (explaining 19.9% variance) and complex vertical structures (leaf-height diversity: 12.2%) significantly enhanced biological soundscapes (R²m = 0.43) while suppressing anthropogenic noise through canopy stratification (32.3% variance explained). Based on our findings, we suggest that an acoustic data-driven framework—comprising (1) the preservation of mature stands with multi-layered canopies to enhance bioacoustic resilience, (2) strategic planting of mid-story vegetation to disrupt low-frequency noise propagation, and (3) real-time soundscape monitoring to balance biophony and anthropophony allocation—can contribute to promoting sustainable urban forestry management. Full article

The acoustic environment of urban forests is indispensable for urban residents’ nature-based recreation opportunities and experience of green spaces, and the perceptual and physical sound features in time and space serve as determinants during this process. However, their spatiotemporal variation mechanisms and influential landscape characteristics are still underexplored in urban forests. Thus, this study aims to explore the spatiotemporal variability of perceptual and physical sound features and their relationship with landscape characteristics in urban forests. For this purpose, we measured perceptual sound features using the indicators of the sound harmonious degree (SHD) and soundscape pleasantness and eventfulness. The physical acoustic features were determined using sound-level parameters for measuring the sound level intensity (L_Aeq, L₁₀, L₉₀) and fluctuation (L_10–90). Perceptual and physical sound data collection was based on on-site questionnaire surveys and acoustic instrument measurements, respectively. The landscape characteristics were classified using the principal components of four main categories, including the terrain, area proportion of land cover types, distance to land cover types, and landscape patterns. The results showcase that significant spatiotemporal variation was found in most perceptual and physical sound features, whereas soundscape pleasantness and eventfulness did not vary significantly across time. In general, the variabilities of both perceptual and physical sound features were affected more by the types of spatial functions than by diurnal patterns. Human activities that generate sounds (e.g., hawking, playing, and exercise) may be the key drivers for spatiotemporal changes in physical acoustic features. The components of landscape patterns, including landscape structural diversity and shape complexity persistently, affected specific sound features in all periods. However, no landscape component had persistent cross-spatial influences on the sound features. This study offers critical insights into the spatiotemporal patterns of the acoustic environment and its relationship with landscape characteristics in urban forests. The findings underscore the practical importance and implications of integrating acoustic considerations into urban forest management. By providing a scientific foundation, these results can usefully inform dynamic resource management, functional zoning optimization, and sustainable landscape development in urban forests. Full article

In recent decades, climate change has significantly influenced the frequency and intensity of wildfires across Mediterranean pine forests. The loss of forest cover can bring long-term ecological changes that impact the overall biodiversity and alter species composition. Understanding the long-term impact of wildfires requires effective and cost-efficient methods for monitoring the postfire ecosystem dynamics. Passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) has been increasingly used to monitor the biodiversity of vocal species at large spatial and temporal scales. Using acoustic indices, where the biodiversity of an area is inferred from the overall structure of the soundscape, rather than the more labor-intensive identification of individual species, has yielded mixed results, emphasizing the importance of testing their efficacy at the regional level. In this study, we examined whether widely used acoustic indicators were effective at capturing changes in the avifauna diversity in Pinus halepensis forest stands with different fire burning histories (burnt in 2001, 2009, and 2018 and unburnt for >20 years) on the Sithonia Peninsula, Greece. We recorded the soundscape of each stand using two–three sensors across 11 days of each season from March 2022 to January 2023. We calculated for each site and season the following five acoustic indices: the Acoustic Complexity Index (ACI), Acoustic Diversity Index (ADI), Acoustic Evenness Index (AEI), Normalized Difference Soundscape Index (NDSI), and Bioacoustic Index (BI). Each acoustic index was then assessed in terms of its efficacy at predicting the local avifauna diversity, as estimated via two proxies—the species richness (SR) and the Shannon Diversity Index (SDI) of vocal bird calls. Both the SR and SDI were calculated by having an expert review the species identification of calls detected within the same acoustic dataset by the BirdNET convolutional neural network algorithm. A total of 53 bird species were identified. Our analysis shows that the BI and NDSI have the highest potential for monitoring the postfire biodiversity dynamics in Mediterranean pine forests. We propose the development of regional-scale acoustic observatories at pine and other fire-prone Mediterranean habitats, which will further improve our understanding of how to make the best use of acoustic indices as a tool for rapid biodiversity assessments. Full article

Amidst rapid societal changes and increasing urbanization, human connectivity with nature has declined, exacerbating public health concerns. This study assesses the efficacy of Shinrin-yoku, or ‘forest bathing’, in Wuyishan National Park as a simple and effective method to counteract the adverse health effects of contemporary lifestyles. Employing repeated-measures analysis of variance, forty-one participants were observed over three days across eight distinct forest settings. Techniques included eye-tracking for visual attention and soundscape perception assessments via questionnaires. Physiological responses were gauged through heart rate variability and skin conductance, while psychological evaluations utilized the Profile of Mood States (POMS) and Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). Findings revealed that (1) natural soundscapes—especially birdsong, flowing water, wind, and bamboo raft sounds—and visual elements, such as distant mountains, streams, trees, Danxia landforms, tea gardens, and bamboo views, play pivotal roles in regulating heart rate variability, reducing arousal, and enhancing stress adaptation. Additionally, cultural landscapes, such as classical music and ancient structures, bolster parasympathetic activity. (2) Natural and cultural auditory stimuli, including flowing water and classical music, coupled with visual features, such as Danxia landforms, streams, distant mountains, lawns, and guide signs, effectively induce positive mood states, regulate mood disturbances, and enhance psychological well-being across diverse forest settings. These findings underscore the significant health benefits of immersive natural experiences and advocate for integrating forest-based wellness programs into public health strategies, offering compelling evidence for enriching life quality through nature engagement. Full article

Urban forests are increasingly recognized as vital components of urban ecosystems, offering a plethora of physiological and psychological benefits to residents. However, the existing research has often focused on single dimensions of either visual or auditory experiences, overlooking the combined impact of audio–visual environments on public health and well-being. This study addresses this gap by examining the effects of composite audio–visual settings within three distinct types of urban forests in Fuzhou, China: mountain, mountain–water, and waterfront forests. Through field surveys and quantitative analysis at 24 sample sites, we assessed visual landscape elements, soundscapes, physiological indicators (e.g., heart rate, skin conductance), and psychological responses (e.g., spiritual vitality, stress relief, emotional arousal, attention recovery) among 77 participants. Our findings reveal that different forest types exert varying influences on visitors’ physiology and psychology, with waterfront forests generally promoting relaxation and mountain–water forests inducing a higher degree of tension. Specific audio–visual elements, such as plant, water scenes, and natural sounds, positively affect psychological restoration, whereas urban noise is associated with increased physiological stress indicators. In conclusion, the integrated effects of audio–visual landscapes significantly shape the multisensory experiences of the public in urban forests, underscoring the importance of optimal design that incorporates natural elements to create restorative environments beneficial to the health and well-being of urban residents. These insights not only contribute to the scientific understanding of urban forest impact but also inform the design and management of urban green spaces for enhanced public health outcomes. Full article

Creating attractive urban green spaces in severely cold and harsh climates is significant for promoting peoples’ health and perceived restoration. However, there is little evidence regarding the urban green spaces in wintery and cold climates and its restorative benefits. This study utilized a pixel grid approach to quantify winter landscape characteristics and a self-reporting method to assess the restorative benefits of audiovisual interactions. The results show the following: (1) Different types of roads in urban parks have significant differences in their level of restorativeness, and the restorativeness benefits of the primary path in winter parks are the strongest. (2) The presence of snowy elements in winter landscapes can enhance park users’ potential to experience restorative characteristics in relation to “being away”. Moreover, there exists a noteworthy positive correlation between deciduous trees and their restoration benefits. (3) People’s perceptions of the tranquility of the soundscape and the duration of environmental exposure are critical mediators in the impact of the restorative path effect. (4) Compared with women, men have a higher restorative level in both the landscape and soundscape. This elucidates the restorative role of white space landscapes and soundscapes in public psychological perception when proposing appropriate forest-based healthcare strategies. It also provides theoretical guidance and optimization schemes for the overall planning, health planning, and design of white spaces shaped by cold urban green spaces. Full article

Urban forests by the riverside are important habitats for various animals and contribute various soundscapes for citizens. Unfortunately, urban forests are exposed to the influence of riverside traffic noises from freeways. This study aims to explore the spatial and temporal variation of soundscape, conduct soundscape optimization for multiple parameters, and find a balance and its interval of soundscape elements through optimizing a soundscape map. Questionnaires and measuring equipment were used to gather soundscape information in an urban forested area in Fuzhou, China. Diurnal variations and soundscape mapping were used to analyze spatial and psychophysical relationships between soundscape drivers. We then conducted optimization for a soundscape map, which included normalization, critical value determination, target interval of optimal SPL determination, and modification of SPL and mapping. Our findings suggest that biological activities and natural phenomena are potential drivers for diurnal variation of soundscapes, especially tidal phenomena contributing water and shipping soundscapes. Our results also suggest that all the high values of perceived soundscapes were found at the southwest corner of the study area, which includes both riverside and urban forest elements. Furthermore, we suggest combining both optimal soundscape and SPL correction maps to aid in sustainable design in urban forests. This can contribute to the understanding and methodology of soundscape map optimization in urban forests when proposing suitable design plans and conservation of territorial sound. Full article