Cumberland Island National Seashore: Acoustic monitoring report 2022–2023
White K and Rapoza A . 2025. Cumberland Island National Seashore: Acoustic monitoring report 2022–2023. Science Report. NPS/SR—2025/302. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado. https://doi.org/10.36967/2313036
The Natural Sounds and Night Skies Division (NSNSD) received a request to collect baseline acoustical data on Cumberland Island National Seashore (CUIS). The goal of this project is to inform decisions related to fire management, land use, and future land development. These decisions will be formed to understand the degree to which noise could affect the natural environment and visitor experience. Three acoustic monitoring stations were deployed during spring 2022 (March/April) and winter 2022–2023 (December/January). Aircraft were found to be the predominant source of noise at all sites, audible between 50 and 56% of a 24-hour day. Other, less frequent sources of audible noise include watercraft and road/trail vehicles. Common natural sound sources within the park were birds, insects, animals foraging and wind blowing through vegetation. On occasion, wild horses and hogs were audible during both day and night hours at all locations.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- White, Kelsey; Rapoza, Amanda
- Date of Issue
- 2025-05
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- DOI
- 10.36967/2313036
- Units
- CUIS , NRSS , NSNS
- Keywords
- acoustic, Cumberland Island National Seashore, natural sounds, noise, resource assessment