Saguaro National Park: Acoustic monitoring report

Job, Jacob

In 2011, the Natural Sounds and Night Skies Division (NSNSD) gathered information about sound levels and predominant sound sources at Saguaro National Park (SAGU) in anticipation of the 2011 BioBlitz event held at the park. One type 1 acoustical monitoring system was deployed for approximately 40 days between July and August 2011. In 2016, SAGU park staff monitored three additional sites throughout the park using NSNSD protocols for calibrating digital audio recordings and NSNSD equipment design. Two of the monitoring stations were deployed for approximately 25 days in February, and the other station was deployed for approximately 20 days during April. This report summarizes results from 2016 data collection efforts, and cites results of 2011 data collection for comparison. The goal of these studies was to establish a baseline inventory of the soundscape at SAGU. This inventory will be used to establish indicators and standards of soundscape quality that will support the park and NSNSD in developing a comprehensive approach to protecting the acoustic environment through soundscape management planning. Results will help the park identify major sources of noise within the park, as well as provide a baseline understanding of the acoustical environment as a whole for use in potential future comparative studies. Specifically, acoustical data will be used to evaluate the condition of SAGU soundscape in the park's Natural Resource Condition Assessment (NRCA) and to establish a baseline condition for the acoustic environment, which is required for the park’s wilderness character monitoring protocol (Engebretson 2012).

Saguaro National Park: Acoustic monitoring report

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