Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument: Acoustic monitoring report 2019–2020

Meyer, Erik

doi:10.36967/2309981

This study arose from a Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument (TUSK) technical assistance request titled “Soundscape Monitoring”, which identified the need for baseline acoustic surveys in the newly created park. Therefore, across one season in 2019, the Natural Sounds and Night Skies Division (NSNSD) gathered acoustical data at two sites in TUSK to provide park managers with information about the acoustical environment, sources of noise, and the natural and existing ambient sound levels within the park. On average, noise was present from 77 to 100 percent of the time across the two sites. The most common sources of noise were vehicles, aircraft, and unknown non-natural sounds. The maximum percent time audible for any detailed noise source were vehicles at site TUSK001, audible for 94% of a 24-hr period. Unknown non-natural noise was most audible at site TUSK002 (38%), followed by vehicles (37%). Overall, existing ambient sound levels (LA50) at sites within TUSK ranged from 27.3–31.9 dB during the day and 21.1–28.2 dB at night during the sampling period. Natural ambient sound levels (LAnat) at sites within TUSK ranged from 21.7–26.8 dB during the day and 18.1– 23.9 dB at night, although these measurements were likely influenced by the high prevalence of noise. In total, these results suggest that the TUSK acoustic environment is influenced by lower level, but very consistent noise. As a supplement, a geospatial sound model predicts existing and natural ambient sound levels at TUSK are 34.0 (dBA) and 21.4 (dBA), respectively.

Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument: Acoustic monitoring report 2019–2020

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