Publications (FIS)

Landscape Characteristics Influencing the Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Soundscapes in Urban Forests

authored by: Zhu Chen, Tian Yuan Zhu, Xuan Guo, Jiang Liu
Abstract: The acoustic environment of urban forests is indispensable for urban residents’ nature-based recreation opportunities and experience of green spaces, and the perceptual and physical sound features in time and space serve as determinants during this process. However, their spatiotemporal variation mechanisms and influential landscape characteristics are still underexplored in urban forests. Thus, this study aims to explore the spatiotemporal variability of perceptual and physical sound features and their relationship with landscape characteristics in urban forests. For this purpose, we measured perceptual sound features using the indicators of the sound harmonious degree (SHD) and soundscape pleasantness and eventfulness. The physical acoustic features were determined using sound-level parameters for measuring the sound level intensity (L_Aeq, L₁₀, L₉₀) and fluctuation (L_10–90). Perceptual and physical sound data collection was based on on-site questionnaire surveys and acoustic instrument measurements, respectively. The landscape characteristics were classified using the principal components of four main categories, including the terrain, area proportion of land cover types, distance to land cover types, and landscape patterns. The results showcase that significant spatiotemporal variation was found in most perceptual and physical sound features, whereas soundscape pleasantness and eventfulness did not vary significantly across time. In general, the variabilities of both perceptual and physical sound features were affected more by the types of spatial functions than by diurnal patterns. Human activities that generate sounds (e.g., hawking, playing, and exercise) may be the key drivers for spatiotemporal changes in physical acoustic features. The components of landscape patterns, including landscape structural diversity and shape complexity persistently, affected specific sound features in all periods. However, no landscape component had persistent cross-spatial influences on the sound features. This study offers critical insights into the spatiotemporal patterns of the acoustic environment and its relationship with landscape characteristics in urban forests. The findings underscore the practical importance and implications of integrating acoustic considerations into urban forest management. By providing a scientific foundation, these results can usefully inform dynamic resource management, functional zoning optimization, and sustainable landscape development in urban forests.
Organisation(s): Institute of Environmental Planning
External Organisation(s): Fuzhou University
Fujian Key Laboratory of Digital Technology for Territorial Space Analysis and Simulation
Type: Article
Journal: FORESTS
Volume: 15
No. of pages: 20
ISSN: 1999-4907
Publication date: 09.12.2024
Publication status: Published
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Forestry
Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG 15 - Life on Land
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.3390/f15122171 (Access: Open)

BibTeX

@article{ddb501d6da7948dba3344ebae98bb79a,
title = "Landscape Characteristics Influencing the Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Soundscapes in Urban Forests",
abstract = "The acoustic environment of urban forests is indispensable for urban residents{\textquoteright} nature-based recreation opportunities and experience of green spaces, and the perceptual and physical sound features in time and space serve as determinants during this process. However, their spatiotemporal variation mechanisms and influential landscape characteristics are still underexplored in urban forests. Thus, this study aims to explore the spatiotemporal variability of perceptual and physical sound features and their relationship with landscape characteristics in urban forests. For this purpose, we measured perceptual sound features using the indicators of the sound harmonious degree (SHD) and soundscape pleasantness and eventfulness. The physical acoustic features were determined using sound-level parameters for measuring the sound level intensity (LAeq, L10, L90) and fluctuation (L10–90). Perceptual and physical sound data collection was based on on-site questionnaire surveys and acoustic instrument measurements, respectively. The landscape characteristics were classified using the principal components of four main categories, including the terrain, area proportion of land cover types, distance to land cover types, and landscape patterns. The results showcase that significant spatiotemporal variation was found in most perceptual and physical sound features, whereas soundscape pleasantness and eventfulness did not vary significantly across time. In general, the variabilities of both perceptual and physical sound features were affected more by the types of spatial functions than by diurnal patterns. Human activities that generate sounds (e.g., hawking, playing, and exercise) may be the key drivers for spatiotemporal changes in physical acoustic features. The components of landscape patterns, including landscape structural diversity and shape complexity persistently, affected specific sound features in all periods. However, no landscape component had persistent cross-spatial influences on the sound features. This study offers critical insights into the spatiotemporal patterns of the acoustic environment and its relationship with landscape characteristics in urban forests. The findings underscore the practical importance and implications of integrating acoustic considerations into urban forest management. By providing a scientific foundation, these results can usefully inform dynamic resource management, functional zoning optimization, and sustainable landscape development in urban forests.",
keywords = "acoustic feature, China, Fuzhou National Forest Park, landscape, perception, soundscape, spatiotemporal variability, urban forest",
author = "Zhu Chen and Zhu, {Tian Yuan} and Xuan Guo and Jiang Liu",
note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2024 by the authors.",
year = "2024",
month = dec,
day = "9",
doi = "10.3390/f15122171",
language = "English",
volume = "15",
journal = "FORESTS",
issn = "1999-4907",
publisher = "MDPI AG",
number = "12",
}