Sound Levels and Audibility of Common Sounds in Frontcountry and Transitional Areas in Grand Canyon National Park, 2007-2008
Ambrose S and Florian C. 2008. Sound Levels and Audibility of Common Sounds in Frontcountry and Transitional Areas in Grand Canyon National Park, 2007-2008. GRCA-08-04. NPS
In 2005, Grand Canyon National Park (GCNP) began acoustic studies in backcountry areas of the park in order to determine natural ambient sound levels in the four major vegetation types in the park (Ambrose 2006; Levy and Falzarano 2007a and 2007b). Data from these studies helped establish baseline natural ambient sound levels that are being used in aircraft noise modeling efforts. The purpose of this study was to determine sound levels in frontcountry (developed) and transitional areas (trailheads, view points, campgrounds, trails, and corridors) of GCNP. Over 9,000 hours of acoustic and audibility data were collected at 19 frontcountry and transitional areas (11 on the South Rim and 8 on the North Rim) in summer and winter, 2007-2008. Data from this study can be used to characterize current soundscape conditions of frontcountry areas in GCNP, and along with other recent studies, can be used to assess soundscape conditions park-wide. Acoustic data from aircraft overflights were addressed, but the study focused on non-aircraft related sound sources.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Ambrose, Skip; Florian, Chris
- Date of Issue
- 2008-11-12
- Publisher
- NPS
- Units
- GRCA , NSNS , NSNSD
- Keywords
- Acoustic, Grand Canyon, Natural Sounds and Night Skies Division, Noise, Overflights, Roads, Soundscapes
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Landscapes | Soundscape | Soundscape