scholarly journals Acoustic adaptation to city noise through vocal learning by a songbird

2018 ◽  
Vol 285 (1888) ◽  
pp. 20181356 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dana Lynn Moseley ◽  
Graham Earnest Derryberry ◽  
Jennifer Nicole Phillips ◽  
Julie Elizabeth Danner ◽  
Raymond Michael Danner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Signal Transmission ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Vocal Learning ◽  
Noise Pollution ◽  
Anthropogenic Noise ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Frequency Noise ◽  
Evolutionary Mechanisms ◽  
Cultural Selection ◽  
Acoustic Adaptation

Anthropogenic noise imposes novel selection pressures, especially on species that communicate acoustically. Many animals—including insects, frogs, whales and birds—produce sounds at higher frequencies in areas with low-frequency noise pollution. Although there is support for animals changing their vocalizations in real time in response to noise (i.e. immediate flexibility), other evolutionary mechanisms for animals that learn their vocalizations remain largely unexplored. We hypothesize that cultural selection for signal structures less masked by noise is a mechanism of acoustic adaptation to anthropogenic noise. We test this hypothesis by presenting nestling white-crowned sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophyrs) with less-masked (higher-frequency) and more-masked (lower-frequency) tutor songs either during playback of anthropogenic noise (noise-tutored treatment) or at a different time from noise playback (control treatment). As predicted, we find that noise-tutored males learn less-masked songs significantly more often, whereas control males show no copying preference, providing strong experimental support for cultural selection in response to anthropogenic noise. Further, noise-tutored males reproduce songs at higher frequencies than their tutor, indicating a distinct mechanism to increase signal transmission in a noisy environment. Notably, noise-tutored males achieve lower performance songs than their tutors, suggesting potential costs in a sexual selection framework.

scholarly journals Ambient noise from ocean surf drives frequency shifts in non-passerine bird song

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matteo Sebastianelli ◽  
Daniel T. Blumstein ◽  
Alexander N. G. Kirschel
Keyword(s):  
Background Noise ◽  
Ambient Noise ◽  
Selective Pressure ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Vocal Learning ◽  
Passerine Bird ◽  
Anthropogenic Noise ◽  
Masking Effect ◽  
Frequency Noise ◽  
Natural Noise

AbstractEffective communication in birds is often hampered by background noise, with many recent studies focusing on the effect of anthropogenic noise on passerine bird song. Continuous low-frequency natural noise is predicted to drive changes in both frequency and temporal patterning of bird vocalizations, but the extent to which these effects may also affect birds that lack vocal learning is not yet fully understood. Here we use a gradient of exposure to natural low-frequency noise to assess whether it exerts selective pressure on vocalizations in a species whose songs are innate. We tested whether three species of Pogoniulus tinkerbirds adapt their song when exposed to a source of continuous low-frequency noise from ocean surf. We show that dominant frequency increases the closer birds are to the coast in all the three species, and in line with higher noise levels, indicating that ocean surf sound may apply a selective pressure on tinkerbird songs. As a consequence, tinkerbirds adapt their songs with an increase in frequency to avoid the masking effect due to overlapping frequencies with ambient noise, therefore improving long-range communication with intended receivers. Our study provides for the first time, compelling evidence that natural ambient noise affects vocalizations in birds whose songs are developed innately. We believe that our results can also be extrapolated in the context of anthropogenic noise pollution, hence providing a baseline for the study of the effects of low-frequency ambient noise on birds that lack vocal learning.Significance StatementBirdsong is constantly under selection as it mediates key interactions such as mate attraction, competition with same-sex individuals for reproduction and competition with heterospecifics for space-related resources. Any phenomenon that interferes with communication can therefore have a profound impact on individual fitness. Passerines are more likely to avoid the masking effect of background noise because of their higher vocal flexibility. Many non-passerine species lacking such flexibility might therefore be more vulnerable to the negative effects on their fitness of exposure to low-frequency background noise. Species incapable of adapting their signals to background noise are predicted to disappear from noisy areas. Despite this, we show that species that lack song learning may show an adaptive response to natural noise which may develop over evolutionary timescales.

scholarly journals Evidence of Cnidarians sensitivity to sound after exposure to low frequency noise underwater sources

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta Solé ◽  
Marc Lenoir ◽  
José Manuel Fontuño ◽  
Mercè Durfort ◽  
Mike van der Schaar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fish Larvae ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Noise Pollution ◽  
Marine Species ◽  
Acoustic Trauma ◽  
Sensory Epithelium ◽  
Frequency Noise ◽  
Noise Levels ◽  
Sound Sources ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Jellyfishes represent a group of species that play an important role in oceans, particularly as a food source for different taxa and as a predator of fish larvae and planktonic prey. The massive introduction of artificial sound sources in the oceans has become a concern to science and society. While we are only beginning to understand that non-hearing specialists like cephalopods can be affected by anthropogenic noises and regulation is underway to measure European water noise levels, we still don’t know yet if the impact of sound may be extended to other lower level taxa of the food web. Here we exposed two species of Mediterranean Scyphozoan medusa, Cotylorhiza tuberculata and Rhizostoma pulmo to a sweep of low frequency sounds. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed injuries in the statocyst sensory epithelium of both species after exposure to sound, that are consistent with the manifestation of a massive acoustic trauma observed in other species. The presence of acoustic trauma in marine species that are not hearing specialists, like medusa, shows the magnitude of the problem of noise pollution and the complexity of the task to determine threshold values that would help building up regulation to prevent permanent damage of the ecosystems.

scholarly journals Ultrasonic frogs call at a higher pitch in noisier ambiance

2015 ◽  
Vol 61 (6) ◽  
pp. 996-1003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fang Zhang ◽  
Pan Chen ◽  
Zhuqing Chen ◽  
Juan Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Fundamental Frequency ◽  
Signal To Noise Ratio ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Environmental Noise ◽  
Central China ◽  
Signal Frequency ◽  
Frequency Noise ◽  
Acoustic Adaptation ◽  
Adaptation Hypothesis ◽  
Acoustic Adaptation Hypothesis

Abstract The ultrasonic communication in Concave-eared torrent frogs Odorrana tormota is believed to be an adaptation to avoid masking by the intense low-frequency noise of the rushing stream in their habitat. The acoustic adaptation hypothesis for ultrasonic origin predicts that some organisms subjecting to persistent acoustic interference from broadband, low-frequency environmental noise, might shift their signal frequency upward into frequency bands with lower noise energy. In other words, low-frequency environmental noise might cause upward shifts of species’ vocalization frequencies making their signals more conspicuous. Presently, it is unclear whether male O. tormota adjust their signal features in response to a change in the ambient noise level. We tested the prediction of the acoustic adaptation hypothesis by recording the vocalizations of male O. tormota inhabiting two streams with different background noise levels in Huangshan in central China and comparing their call features including the fundamental frequency (F0). Results showed that the spectrotemporal characteristics of the vocal signals of males in the two habitats were indifferent, except the duration of the call harmonic segments and three parameters related to the call fundamental frequency (F0). In terms of the F0, the pooled and individual frog data showed that frogs inhabiting the noisier habitat tended to emit calls having higher F0. The higher F0 increases the signal-to-noise ratio, thus benefiting the detection of vocalization. Thus, similar to several anuran species, concave-eared torrent frogs also display noise-dependent adjustment of vocal pitch in their vocalizations for making them more audible.

scholarly journals How Can Low-Frequency Noise Exposure Interact with the Well-Being of a Population? Some Results from a Portuguese Municipality

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (24) ◽  
pp. 5566 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliana Araújo Alves ◽  
Lígia Torres Silva ◽  
Paula Remoaldo
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Noise Pollution ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Sound Level ◽  
Frequency Noise ◽  
Low Frequency Noise ◽  
Sound Levels ◽  
Exposed Population

Noise pollution is the second most harmful environmental stressor in Europe. Portugal is the fourth European country most affected by noise pollution, whereby 23.0% of the population is affected. This article aims to analyze the effects of exposure to low frequency noise pollution, emitted by power poles and power lines, on the population’s well-being, based on a study of “exposed” and “unexposed” individuals in two predominantly urban areas in north-western Portugal. To develop the research, we used sound level (n = 62) and sound recording measurements, as well as adapted audiometric test performance (n = 14) and surveys conducted with the resident population (n = 200). The sound levels were measured (frequency range between 10 to 160 Hz) and compared with a criterion curve developed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). The sound recorded was performed 5 m away from the source (400 kV power pole). Surveys were carried out with the “exposed” and “unexposed” populations, and adapted audiometric tests were performed to complement the analysis and to determine the threshold of audibility of “exposed” and “unexposed” volunteers. The “exposed” area has higher sound levels and, consequently, more problems with well-being and health than the “unexposed” population. The audiometric tests also revealed that the “exposed” population appears to be less sensitive to low frequencies than the “unexposed” population.

scholarly journals Portable Low-Frequency Noise Reduction Device for Both Small Open and Closed Spaces

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chao Wang ◽  
Haiyang Gao ◽  
Liyao Yu ◽  
Tiantian Yu ◽  
Wenhui Yan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Noise Reduction ◽  
Open Space ◽  
Active Noise Control ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Noise Pollution ◽  
Noise Spectrum ◽  
Frequency Noise ◽  
Low Frequency Noise ◽  
Pollution Problem ◽  
Negative Impacts

Noise pollution has been given more attention due to its negative impacts on human health and disease. The portable low-frequency noise reduction device we developed in this research can provide an effective way for solving low-frequency noise pollution problem in the small space. This work describes the design principle and the prototype structures for two versions of V1.5 and V2.0 and builds the noise test systems for small spaces, respectively. These devices, installed on the outer surface of the small spaces, can automatically identify the noise spectrum and implement noise reduction by means of the active noise control (ANC) technology. The testing results indicate that the noise can be reduced 12 dB in the range of 250 Hz~400 Hz for the small closed space while, for the small open space, the best effect of 5.88 dB occurs in the optimal frequency of 450 Hz. These effects will be weakened with the increasing distance away from the source and show the obvious axisymmetric distribution in the inverted cone space.

Assessment of noise from equipment and processes at construction sites

2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heow Pueh Lee ◽  
Zhaomeng Wang ◽  
Kian Meng Lim
Keyword(s):  
Rapid Development ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Noise Pollution ◽  
Sound Level ◽  
Construction Equipment ◽  
Frequency Noise ◽  
Construction Sites ◽  
Noise Barriers ◽  
Typical Type

Noise pollution from construction sites has become a major problem for major cities with the continued rapid development as well as redevelopment of cities. These construction sites, in particular for new subway systems, are often near to residential and commercial buildings. A better understanding and characterization of noise profiles will be required for project management and planning as well as environmental impact assessment. In this study, instead of using the typical type 1 sound level meters for the measurement of noise profiles emitted from construction equipment and processes commonly done in construction industry, we attempt to characterize the noise profiles of common construction equipment at their respective noise source using an Acoustic Array or Acoustic Camera. The study also highlighted the significant presence of low-frequency noise at construction sites for some construction equipment and processes. This may have some implications for the design of noise barriers at construction sites.

scholarly journals Chronic exposure to urban noise during the vocal learning period does not lead to increased song frequencies in zebra finches

2020 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying Liu ◽  
Sue Anne Zollinger ◽  
Henrik Brumm
Keyword(s):  
Developmental Plasticity ◽  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Traffic Noise ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Vocal Learning ◽  
Song Learning ◽  
Frequency Noise ◽  
Zebra Finches ◽  
Urban Noise ◽  
Sound Levels

Abstract It has often been observed that birds sing at a higher pitch in cities and other areas that are polluted with intense low-frequency noise. How this pattern arises remains unclear though. One prevailing idea is that songbirds adjust song frequencies to environmental noise profiles through developmental plasticity via vocal learning. However, the conclusions of previous studies testing this hypothesis are inconsistent. Here we report the findings from two song learning experiments with zebra finches (Taenopygia guttata), in which we exposed young birds to anthropogenic noise during their sensitive vocal learning period. Unlike previous studies that addressed this issue, we did not use constant synthetic noise but natural urban noise with its typical amplitude fluctuations that was broadcast at realistic sound levels. We found that noise-exposed males in neither experiment developed higher pitched songs compared to control males. This suggests that the natural fluctuations between higher and lower noise levels in cities may allow young birds to exploit relatively quiet moments to hear their tutors and themselves, permitting them to make accurate copies of even low-frequency song elements. Significance statement If animals are to persist in urban habitats, they often must adjust their behavior to the altered conditions. Birds in cities are often observed to sing at a higher pitch, but we are largely ignorant of how this phenomenon arises. We investigated whether low-frequency traffic noise interferes with the song learning of birds so that they develop higher pitched songs. Accordingly, we played back natural traffic noise from urban bird habitats to young birds during their learning period and then analyzed their adult songs. We found that birds that learned their songs in noise did not sing at higher frequencies compared to control males that learned their song with no noise exposure. Our results show that typical traffic noise in cities may not be sufficient to interfere with vocal learning in a way that birds develop higher-pitched songs.

scholarly journals Measurement and analysis of bridge expansion joint noise

2021 ◽  
Vol 293 ◽  
pp. 02053
Author(s):  
Dingtao Mao ◽  
Yong Ding
Keyword(s):  
Sound Pressure ◽  
Influence Factors ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Noise Pollution ◽  
Pressure Level ◽  
Frequency Noise ◽  
Expansion Joint ◽  
Expansion Joints ◽  
Measurement And Analysis ◽  
Level 3

The structure-borne noise while the vehicle passing across the bridge expansion joint is the main source of urban bridge noise. In order to control this noise pollution, 20 bridges including three types of typical expansion joints in Ningbo City were selected, and the noises were measured while vehicle passed across the bridge expansion joints. The measured results are expressed by the Z-weighted sound pressure level, which kept the effect of the low-frequency noise. Then the influence factors of this noise are discussed. The results show that: (1) The sound pressure while vehicle on the bridge expansion joints is much greater than that on the normal road or mid-span of the bridges, which results in significant environmental noise pollution; (2) The wider the gap of the bridge expansion joints, the greater the noise level; (3) The noises produced by the modular expansion joints and comb-plate expansion joints are greater than that from the single-gap expansion joints.

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