In today’s urban environment, the constant presence of traffic noise is undeniable, infiltrating even the most hidden corners of the woods. Previous studies have shown that this anthropogenic noise negatively affects the welfare of both humans and other species. The fact that even unborn organisms experience negative effects is a worrying development, emphasizing the urgent need for effective mitigation.
Traffic noise effects both humans and animals in urban environments
The negative impacts of traffic noise pollution on both humans and animals are well-studied. It is well-known that in humans long-term exposure to traffic noise causes severe health problems like high blood pressure, sleep disturbance and mental health issues such as stress and anxiety. For animals, traffic noise has severe negative impacts as well. As acoustically vocal species rely on sound for communication and behaviours such as finding mates and alarming kin against predators, traffic noise may mask these vocalisations.
Communication is not the only way wildlife is affected by traffic noise. The consequences are often categorized into three subjects: increase of mortality, reduction of habitat quality, and population fragmentation.
- Increased mortality: Animals near roads are at higher risk of vehicle collisions and might struggle to detect dangers due to constant background noise. This increases their vulnerability.
- Reduced habitat quality: Noise makes many habitats unliveable. As animals avoid noisy areas, reducing their living space and disrupting essential communication.
- Population fragmentation: The avoidance of noisy areas leads to isolated sub-populations with less genetic diversity, making them more sensitive for diseases and other threats.
Zebra finch is already affected in the egg
An interesting example of the second consequence is described in a recent study examining zebra finch eggs. Researchers found that zebra finches undergo damaging effects from traffic noise pollution while still in the egg. They concluded that exposure to traffic noise during embryonic development generates slower growth rates, reduced survival changes and behavioural disorders after hatching. It is a worrying discovery as it turns out that the impact of noise pollution (i.e. traffic) is not only limited to direct exposure, but can also harm the development of unborn organisms.
This study highlights the need to study the broader impacts of traffic noise in other species and humans. If unborn zebra finches already undergo negative effects in their development, it is not unlikely that many other species, including humans, experience similar or even more serious negative effects.
Working towards a quieter and healthier urban area
How can we prevent noise pollution from causing even more damage? First, we need to take the problem more seriously. We have to study the impact on other organisms that live in urban environments to get a broader perspective of the effects. The urban population is still growing and with that, the expansion of highways and roads through urban areas also continues. This increase in traffic amplifies the noise levels to which the residents and wildlife are exposed, and with it the associated effects. There are already plans to mitigate traffic noise in urban environments, like noise barriers along the highway to decrease noise for nearby buildings. Green spaces and other noise barriers can reduce noise at the source and help dampen the impacts.
The strict enforcement of noise standards will help to mitigate the negative effects of traffic noise and provide a healthier environment for residents and wildlife within the urban areas. We need to find a balance between maintaining the “quiet” ecological (urban) green spaces and humans’ urban infrastructure and well-being.
References
Ranpise, R. B., & Tandel, B. N. (2022). Urban road traffic noise monitoring, mapping, modelling, and mitigation: A thematic review. Noise Mapping, 9(1), 48-66.
Rytwinski, T., & Fahrig, L. (2015). The impacts of roads and traffic on terrestrial animal populations. Handbook of road ecology, 237-246.
Meillère, A., Buchanan, K. L., Eastwood, J. R., & Mariette, M. M. (2024). Pre-and postnatal noise directly impairs avian development, with fitness consequences. Science, 384(6694), 475-480.
Slabbekoorn, H. (2024). A sound beginning of life starts before birth. Science, 384(6694), 380-382.
McClure, C. J., Ware, H. E., Carlisle, J., Kaltenecker, G., & Barber, J. R. (2013). An experimental investigation into the effects of traffic noise on distributions of birds: avoiding the phantom road. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 280(1773), 20132290.
Arévalo, J. E., & Newhard, K. (2011). Traffic noise affects forest bird species in a protected tropical forest. Revista de Biología Tropical, 59(2), 969-980.
Kraaijvanger, C. (2024). Could you please turn it down a bit: Zebra finch that can hear cars and scooters while in the egg, still suffer from this as an adult. Scientias https://scientias.nl/mag-het-een-beetje-zachter-alsjeblieft-zebravink-die-in-het-ei-al-autos-en-scooters-hoort-heeft-daar-als-volwassene-nog-last-van/
Featured image: © Ferdous, Z. (2018). Noise pollution: A killer in disguise. Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD). https://cpd.org.bd/noise-pollution-killer-disguise/
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