Anthropocene Magazine · Space

Urban noise diminishes the restorative benefits of birdsong, study finds

Even low levels of traffic noise can significantly reduce the psychological benefits of listening to birdsong, according to new research. The study suggests that urban planning should consider acoustic environments to maximize the restorative effects of natural soundscapes.

The calming effect of birdsong, long recognized in literature and utilized in therapeutic apps, is undermined by the presence of urban noise. A study published in the journal People and Nature reveals that even traffic sounds below World Health Organization recommended thresholds can detract from the stress-reducing and restorative benefits of natural soundscapes.

Researchers conducted online and lab experiments involving over 1,500 participants. Participants listened to audio recordings of birdsong mixed with varying levels of city noise, including traffic. They then reported their psychological responses, and in the lab setting, their heart rate variability was measured. The results consistently showed that traffic noise eroded the positive effects of birdsong.

The study found that louder traffic had a more pronounced negative impact, but even noise levels around 43 decibels, comparable to a refrigerator's hum, diminished the benefits. Heart rate variability, an indicator of lower stress, was also reduced when traffic noise was present. The intensity and complexity of the natural sounds also played a role; a mid-level intensity and complexity of birdsong, when not mixed with city noise, led to the most positive perceptions and feelings of well-being.

These findings highlight the importance of considering acoustic environments in urban planning. Measures such as implementing lower speed limits on adjacent roads or increasing perimeter vegetation could help preserve the acoustic benefits of natural spaces in cities, allowing people to fully appreciate nature's restorative qualities without the distraction of noise.

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