Data from: The soundscapes of lakes across an urbanization gradient

Background/Methodology: A significant implication of increasing
urbanization is anthropogenic noise pollution. Although noise is strongly
associated with disruption of animal communication systems and negative
health effects for humans, the study of these consequences at ecologically
relevant spatial and temporal scales (termed ‘soundscape ecology’) is in
early stages of application. In this study, we examined the above- and
below-water soundscape of recreational and residential lakes in the region
surrounding a large metropolitan area. Using univariate and multivariate
approaches we test the importance of large- and local-scale landscape
factors in driving acoustic characteristics across an urbanization
gradient, and visualize changes in the soundscape over space and time.
Principal Findings: Anthropogenic noise (‘anthrophony’) was strongly
predicted by a landcover-based metric of urbanization (within a 10 km
radius of the lake), with presence of a public park as a secondary
influence; this urbanization signal was apparent even in below-water
recordings. The percent of hourly measurements exceeding noise thresholds
associated with outdoor disturbance was 67%, 17%, and 0%, respectively,
for lakes characterized as High, Medium, and Low urbanization. Decreased
biophony (proportion of natural sounds) was associated with presence of a
public park followed by increased urbanization; time of day was also a
significant predictor of biophony. Local-scale (shoreline) residential
development was not related to changes in biophony. The patterns we
identify are illustrated with a multivariate approach which allows use of
entire sound samples and facilitates interpretation of changes in a
soundscape. Conclusions/Significance: As highly valued residential and
recreation areas, lakes represent ‘everyday soundscapes’ important to both
humans and wildlife. Our findings that many of these areas, particularly
those with public parks, routinely experience sound types and levels
associated with disturbance, suggests that urban planners need to account
for the effect of increasing development on soundscapes to avoid
compromising goals for ecological and human health.