Soundscape ecology: A worldwide network

The overarching objective of our network is to bring together acousticians, cognitive psychologists, ecologists, and creative artists to integrate how they study and perceive soundscapes and use this knowledge to help shape a research agenda for the conservation of soundscapes. Many natural soundscapes are being threatened from various directions, e.g., habitat destruction, climate change, invasive species. This project aims at recording and documenting soundscapes in remote locations and identifying conceptualizations of these soundscapes across different cultures and disciplines. The network will help to (1) foster open communication between different disciplines and communities about soundscapes; (2) coordinate soundscape monitoring sites where acoustic data are being collected long-term; (3) develop a common vocabulary, long-term monitoring standards, and metadata standards for acoustic data for use by ecologists; (4) increase awareness of this new field among ecologists and social scientists; and (5) increase public awareness of the importance of their acoustic connection to nature. This project on the soundscapes of natural ecosystems is a logical complement to research underway at the European level on urban soundscapes (COST action TD0804). Together, this worldwide network of researchers will be uniquely situated to contribute decisively to a cross-cultural conservation framework for soundscapes.