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Sounds are integral parts of any landscape. Think of the calls of grouse and curlew on the Pennine Moors. Wind sieving through reed beds in the Norfolk Broads. Church bells chiming out over the hustle and bustle of central London. Every locale across the Earth, beneath our oceans, lakes and rivers, and even underground, has its own distinctive "soundscape."

Soundscapes are created by a combination of biological sounds—the voices of birds, bats and insects—alongside environmental sounds from rainfall, waves crashing on the shore and low-frequency seismic rumbles. Layered over these natural sound sources are human-made noises from planes, trains, traffic and other elements of 21st-century life.

This human-made noise can be so loud and so pervasive in some areas that it blocks the natural sounds that would otherwise be audible. This affects the behavior and life cycles of wildlife, because many species rely on sound for breeding activity, social communication and predator detection. Masking these important signals can and drive populations away from the .

Noise pollution also reduces our . Chronic noise exposure is linked to elevated stress levels, impaired cognitive function and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The damaging soundscapes of European urban areas contribute to every year.

As soundscape researchers, we are trying to both understand and learn how to minimize the effects of noise on both wild nature and humans. Part of the solution involves to build towns and cities that don't just limit adverse noise pollution, but produce beneficial soundscapes. These can help people and wildlife engage with their surroundings and navigate more easily through them.

For example, people might be drawn to vibrant chatter from a nearby street or use the sound of a river to place ourselves within the mental map of our neighborhood. Paying attention to soundscapes within the landscape design process can create a stronger sense of place, linking us more closely to our surroundings.

Many cities tackle noise at its source through urban design. In Barcelona, 57% of people are regularly exposed to excessive noise levels. The initiative—where motorized traffic is limited to peripheral roads around groups of buildings in the city—has allowed the pedestrianized inner streets to be opened up for people, planting and wildlife. This has created tranquil and rich local soundscapes and in these areas.

Landscape interventions, such as tree buffers, earth banks and noise walls, can limit noise propagation through the environment. At Buitenschot Park in the Netherlands, ridges or earth banks that absorb and disperse ground-level noise from the nearby Schiphol airport. These sculptural landforms were inspired by local observations that noise reduced with the plowing of fields near the airport. The similar use of noise reduction surfaces, such as the currently being tested in Paris, also help to limit the spread of unwanted sound.

Changes to the landscape also alter the perception of noise by the listener. Adding favorable sounds, such as flowing water, can draw attention away from traffic noise. Soundscape projects that include help increase biodiversity and engage citizens at the heart of the city. Some UK initiatives such as and London's involve the mapping of such quiet spaces to explain their purpose and encourage their use.

Noise beyond cities

Noise is not just an urban issue. Rural landscapes are adversely affected by agriculture, quarrying and tourism. Historically, rural landscapes have been afforded greater protection from noise than their urban counterparts. The UK national parks were originally designated to allow for the of countryside areas, while the published two decades ago by the countryside charity Campaign to Protect Rural England sought to protect peaceful areas across the country.

Today, rewilding and can play an important role in returning more natural soundscapes with a better balance of non-human and human soundmakers. Restoring wetlands, woodlands and grasslands increases vocalizing species, like birds. This benefits both wildlife and people, enabling nature connection and improving environmental quality. By considering sound as a key element of sustainability and resilience, spaces can support biodiversity while enhancing the well-being and quality of life of the people in these communities.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.