Comparing the Underwater Soundscapes of Four U.S. National Parks and Marine Sanctuaries
Haver SM, Fournet ME, Dziak RP, Gabriele C, Gedamke J, Hatch LT, Haxel J, Heppell SA, McKenna MF, Mellinger DK, Van Parijs SM. 2019. Comparing the Underwater Soundscapes of Four U.S. National Parks and Marine Sanctuaries. Frontiers in Marine Science. 6:1-14
This article compares underwater soundscapes using passive acoustic sensors in national parks and marine sanctuaries in four geographically disparate regions: Northwest Atlantic, Northeast Pacific, South Pacific, and Caribbean. Recordings were analyzed for differences in seasonal conditions and to identify acoustic metrics useful for resource assessment across all sites. In addition to comparing ambient sound levels, a species common to all four sites, the humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae), was used to compare biological sound detection. Ambient sound levels varied across the sites and were driven by differences in animal vocalization rates, anthropogenic activity, and weather. The results highlight the variability of ambient sound conditions in marine protected areas in U.S. waters, and the utility of long-term soundscape monitoring for condition assessment in support of resource management.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Haver, Samara; Fournet, Michelle; Dziak, Robert; Gabriele, Christine; Gedamke, Jason; Hatch, Leila; Haxel, Joseph; Heppell, Scott; McKenna, Megan; Mellinger, David; Van Parijs, Sofie
- Units
- BUIS , GLBA , NPSA
- Keywords
- acoustic environment, ecoacoustics, marine protected areas, ocean noise management, passive acoustic monitoring, soundscape
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Marine Communities , Ecological Framework: Landscapes | Soundscape | Soundscape