Justin D’Souza About 220 words INTD 105 Science Writing SUNY Geneseo
Natural Ambiance versus Human Racket
by Justin D’Souza
We can see that humans have drastically altered the globe…but can we hear how we did it as well? Soundscape ecology, a new field of research, aims to discover how human activity has changed the natural compositions of the wild. Kim Tingley writes about an expedition with Davyd Betchkal into Denali National Park to monitor the natural sounds there. Often, their journey through the natural harmony was disturbed by overhead jets or helicopters. These human sounds can make it more difficult for animals to track prey or hear predators or send out mating calls. Soundscape scientists aim to not only study how humans affect wild sound, but preserve natural melodies before humans destroy them, such as the scuffle of bear cubs or the rush of an ice cave. Tingley notes the importance of sound – it surrounds one, and brings one into a natural landscape. We can shut our eyes, but never turn off our ears.
Sound connects to my life in multiple ways, the first being no matter how much I try to sleep during weekends, the random yelling of people outside my window keeps me up!! On a more scientific level, this clearly connects to what Professor McClure will do in Antarctica, because he will preserve the natural sounds of the ice, as well as giving nature a voice in the crowd of human noise.
Those are some great connections you made. I can certainly relate to those unwelcome wake-up calls. For me it’s the garbage truck that for some reason has to beep loud enough to be heard on the other side of campus. As for Professor McClure’s work, I agree that it’s very similar to Betchkal’s soundscape ecology. If you plan on writing about Antarctica, this article might be a good first place to look at for your research.