Acoustics of anthropogenic habitats: The impact of noise pollution on eastern bluebirds
by Kight, Caitlin Rebecca, Ph.D., THE COLLEGE OF WILLIAM AND MARY, 2009, 219 pages; 3420982

Abstract:

An increasing number of habitats are affected by anthropogenic noise pollution, which is often louder, has a different frequency emphasis, and may occur over a different temporal scale, than natural noise. An increasing number of studies indicate that acoustically-communicating animals in such areas can modify their vocalizations in order to make themselves heard over the noise, but many questions still remain, including: How taxonomically widespread is vocal flexibility in response to anthropogenic noise, and do all vocally flexible species employ the same mechanisms to escape acoustic masking? Are there fitness repercussions for living, communicating, and breeding in noisy habitats? And, can particular habitat features be used to predict environmental noise levels and sound propagation characteristics? Here, I present data collected from the breeding territories of eastern bluebirds (Sialia sialis ) to address each of these questions. My results add another species to the list of those who are able to avoid acoustic masking by modifying temporal and spectral traits of vocalizations. I also show that anthropogenic noise is associated with changes in several eastern bluebird breeding parameters. Finally, I demonstrate that both anthropogenic noise levels and sound propagation traits can be predicted by particular habitat characteristics.

 
AdviserJohn P. Swaddle
SchoolTHE COLLEGE OF WILLIAM AND MARY
SourceDAI/B 71-09, p. , Sep 2010
Source TypeDissertation
SubjectsEcology; Conservation biology
Publication Number3420982
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