Soundscapes

What Does Wilderness Sound Like?

Many natural sounds can be heard in the wild -- the howling of wolves, the buzz of mosquitoes, the roar of rivers, the thunder of avalanches, the singing of songbirds, the croaking of ravens, and the surreal experience of total silence. The natural soundscape is an intrinsic element of the environment and is highly valued in national parks. Different habitats have specific soundscape characteristics that are an important attribute of the natural system, with distinct impacts on the human perception of the environment.

The natural soundscape is generally comprised of two main sound categories, physical and biological. Physical sounds are created by physical forces (wind, rock fall, rivers, etc.), whereas biological sounds are created by organisms (birds, frogs, plants, etc.). The presence and abundance of sounds from these two categories is used in part to characterize different habitats. Human-generated sounds sometimes negatively impact the natural soundscape and visitor experience.

Soundscape Inventory and Monitoring Program

An important component of the National Park Service mission is to preserve and/or restore the natural soundscapes within national parks. Because the soundscapes of national parks are becoming increasingly impacted by human-generated noise, a soundscape inventory and monitoring program is underway at the park. Park scientists are systematically documenting natural and human-generated sounds at numerous locations throughout the park including high in the mountains, on glaciers, along rivers, in remote areas, and along the park road.

Collected Data

Automated sound monitoring stations collect several types of data which allow for the characterization of soundscape conditions. Continuous audio recordings are stored and later played back to a human listener, who identifies what sounds are audible. Sound pressure levels are logged once a second, 24 hours per day, and provide a calibrated measurement of the amount of acoustical energy present at all times. Meteorological data are also stored to ensure measurements are made under appropriate atmospheric conditions. To search for soundscape data and reports, visit the Data Store.

Soundscapes Across the Nation

Find more information on national park soundscapes through the Natural Sounds Program of the National Park Service.