Use of the noise-free interval (NFI) metric to assess the disturbances of airborne vessel noise at Glacier Bay National Park
Poling J and Betchkal DH . 2023. Use of the noise-free interval (NFI) metric to assess the disturbances of airborne vessel noise at Glacier Bay National Park. Pages 991-1002. In Poling J and Betchkal DH (ed): Use of the noise-free interval (NFI) metric to assess the disturbances of airborne vessel noise at Glacier Bay National Park. Grand Rapids, MI. May 15 - 18, 2023. INTER-NOISE and NOISE-CON Congress and Conference Proceedings
Abstract: Alaska’s Glacier Bay National Park preserves the seventh largest unit of the National Wilderness Preservation System, encompassing 2.6 million acres. Natural acoustic environments are significant to many of the unit’s fundamental resources and values. Since 2001, the National Park Service has inventoried acoustic environments of Alaskan parks. One purpose is to document every noise-free interval (NFI) observed. NFI is defined as the time between human-generated noise disturbances. Aggregate properties of NFIs describe fragmentation of acoustic environments by noise. Median NFI estimated at parks in Alaska to date range from <3 minutes to 16.7 hours, similar to other Arctic sites (0.5 to 13.0 hours, Stinchcomb et al. 2020). For the Glacier Bay Marine Management Plan Environmental Assessment, a geometric NFI model was developed using automatic identification system (AIS) derived vessel tracks. The NFI simulation results, along with NFI data from acoustic monitoring at the park, was then utilized to assess how changes to vessel quotas and vessel management strategies would potentially affect the NFI throughout the park. This paper will discuss the estimation and use of the NFI metric in protected natural areas, along with NFI modeling methods utilized for an environmental assessment at Glacier Bay.
- Type
- Conference Proceeding Paper
- Authors
- Poling, Jacob; Betchkal, Davyd
- Units
- GLBA
- Keywords
- acoustics, automatic identification system, marine, monitoring, NFI, noise, noise-free interval, planning, soundscapes, transportation, transportation geography, vessels
See also
- Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve: Acoustic Resource Management Framework
- Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve – acoustic inventory report, 2013 and 2014
- Acoustic Inventory of Breeding Birds in Denali National Park and Preserve
- Acoustic monitoring report, Denali National Park and Preserve – 2010
- Acoustic monitoring report, Denali National Park and Preserve – 2011
- Acoustic monitoring report, Denali National Park and Preserve – 2012
- Acoustic monitoring report, Denali National Park and Preserve – 2013
- Acoustic monitoring report, Noatak National Preserve – 2013 and 2014
- Katmai National Park and Preserve: Acoustic inventory 2015 - 2017
- Monitoring the Acoustic Environment of the Ruth Glacier: 2019
- Denali National Park and Preserve Soundscape Annual Report 2004
- Denali National Park and Preserve Soundscape Annual Report 2005
- Acoustic monitoring report, Denali National Park and Preserve - 2007
- Acoustic monitoring report, Denali National Park and Preserve - 2008
- Acoustic monitoring report, Denali National Park and Preserve - 2009.
- Acoustic Monitoring Report, Denali National Park and Preserve, 2010
- Acoustic Monitoring Report, Denali National Park and Preserve-2007
- Denali National Park & Preserve Soundscape Annual Report 2006
- Denali National Park acoustic monitoring report - 2008
- Denali National Park Acoustic Monitoring Report-2008
- Denali National Park and Preserve Soundscape Annual Report 2006
- An assessment of noise audibility and sound levels in U.S. National Parks
- Methods and code for scientific publication: Noise pollution is pervasive in U.S. protected areas