Devils Postpile National Monument Acoustic Monitoring Report 2005 & 2006-DRAFT
Formichella C, Fristrup K, Joyce D, Lynch E, Pilcher E. 2007. Devils Postpile National Monument Acoustic Monitoring Report 2005 & 2006-DRAFT. National Park Service. Natural Sounds Program
INTRODUCTION A 1998 survey of the American public revealed that 72 percent of respondents thought that providing opportunities to experience natural quiet and the sounds of nature was a very important reason for having national parks, while another 23 percent thought that it was somewhat important (Haas & Wakefield, 1998). In another survey specific to park visitors, 91 percent of respondents considered enjoyment of natural quiet and the sounds of nature compelling reasons for visiting national parks (McDonald, Baumgartner, & Iachan, 1995). Acoustic monitoring provides a scientific basis for assessing the current status of acoustic resources, identifying trends in resource conditions, quantifying impacts from other actions, assessing consistency with park management objectives and standards, and informing management decisions regarding desired future conditions. Acoustic monitoring is timely for Devils Postpile and other parks in the Sierra Nevada network (SIEN)1 due to continued growth in commercial air traffic and expansion of nearby Mammoth airport. Aircraft overflights are the most ubiquitous noise source throughout the Sierra parks and associated wilderness areas. The SIEN parks also experience commercial air tour activity, and are required to develop an air tour management plan under the National Parks Air Tour Management Act of 2000.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Formichella, Charlotte; Fristrup, Kurt; Joyce, Damon; Lynch, Emma; Pilcher, Ericka
- Date of Issue
- 2007
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- DEPO
- Keywords
- Acoustic Monitoring, Devils Postpile National Monument, sounds monitoring