I recently came across an intriguing article titled “Soundscape Dynamics of a Cold Protected Forest: Dominance of Aircraft Noise” by Elie Grinfeder et al. This study presents a dive into the acoustic environment of a coniferous Alpine forest at the France-Switzerland border, revealing fascinating insights into the interplay of natural and anthropogenic sounds within a supposedly protected area.

Understanding the Soundscape Ecology

Soundscape ecology is a field dedicated to studying the acoustic patterns of landscapes, examining the balance between biophony (biotic sounds from animals), geophony (abiotic sounds like wind and rain), and anthropophony (human-related noises). The research aimed to automatically track these components over a 15-year period to assess changes due to land use and climate variations.

Using artificial neural networks (ANNs) trained on mel frequency cepstral coefficients (or MFCCs are a set of features commonly used in audio processing and speech recognition to represent the characteristics of sound signals.), the study successfully identified and classified various sound types, including birds, mammals, insects (biophony), rain and wind (geophony), and aircraft noise (anthropophony). The findings were eye-opening—anthropophony, primarily aircraft noise, dominated the forest’s soundscape, occurring in a staggering 75% of the recorded audio files. This was followed by geophony (57%), biophony (43%), and silence (a mere 14%).

Key Findings: The Overwhelming Presence of Anthropophony

One of the most striking aspects of the study is the revelation that a supposedly protected forest is overwhelmingly shaped by human-generated noise, particularly from aircraft. Despite its remote location and conservation status under the Parc naturel Régional du Haut-Jura and Natura 2000, the Risoux Forest is subject to constant anthropogenic acoustic disturbance. The noise pollution from aircraft was found to be consistent throughout the year, with peak levels aligning with human activity patterns at Geneva Airport.

While biophony showed expected seasonal variations—peaking in spring and summer as birds and other animals became more vocally active—the pervasiveness of anthropogenic noise raised concerns about its impact on local wildlife. Previous research has shown that chronic exposure to artificial noise can disrupt animal communication, alter behavior, and even affect ecosystem processes like pollination and predator-prey dynamics.

The Diminishing Presence of Silence

Another profound finding was the scarcity of silence. True quiet moments were limited mostly to nighttime, and even then, they were often disrupted by aircraft. The concept of silence in nature is often associated with deep tranquility and ecological balance, yet in this case, it appears to be an increasingly rare phenomenon. This raises important questions about whether protected areas truly offer refuge from human disturbances and what measures can be taken to preserve natural soundscapes.

Implications for Conservation and Future Research

The study serves as an essential baseline for long-term ecological monitoring. Given the potential for climate change to alter precipitation and wind patterns—thereby influencing geophonic elements—the research underscores the importance of continued soundscape analysis to detect environmental shifts. Furthermore, as air traffic is predicted to grow in the coming decades, understanding its impact on natural areas is crucial for conservation efforts.

This research also highlights the need for more stringent policies to mitigate noise pollution in conservation zones. Strategies such as flight altitude regulations, designated quiet zones, and active noise management could be explored to minimize anthropogenic interference in these fragile ecosystems.

Reading this article deepened my appreciation for the complexities of soundscape ecology and the urgent need to address anthropogenic noise pollution, even in areas we assume to be untouched by human activity. It challenges us to rethink conservation beyond just protecting land and biodiversity, urging us to consider the acoustic environment as an integral part of ecological integrity.

As I reflect on these findings, I wonder: How many truly silent places remain in the world? And what can we do to ensure that natural soundscapes are preserved for future generations?

Challenge or Opportunity for Forest Therapy or Shinrin Yoku Guides?

Shinrin Yoku, or forest bathing, is a practice rooted in the idea of immersing oneself in the forest environment to experience relaxation, mindfulness, and physiological benefits. As a Shinrin Yoku Guide/Forest Therapy Guide, one of the key aspects of leading sessions is creating an environment that allows participants to fully engage with nature’s sensory offerings. Is the increasing anthropization of forests presents  challenges or opportunities for this practice?

Aircraft noise, traffic hum, and other human-induced sounds can disrupt the immersive experience, making it difficult for participants to attune their senses to the natural world. Instead of silence and stillness, they may be met with distractions that pull them back into an overstimulated state, limiting their ability to truly relax and connect with the forest.

Beyond sound pollution, human intervention in the form of urban expansion, deforestation, and the introduction of artificial elements into natural spaces reduces the quality of the experience. The more altered a forest is, the less potent its restorative effects may become. Guides must therefore adapt their practices to navigate these disruptions, ensuring that the essence of Shinrin Yoku or Forest Therapy practice is preserved to the fullest extent.

While anthropization presents significant obstacles, it also opens doors for innovation within Shinrin Yoku practice. Forest Therapy Guides can use these challenges as opportunities to develop new techniques and approaches:

1. Selective Site Selection: Guides can prioritize quieter, lesser-known locations for their sessions, seeking out pockets of stillness within busier forests.

2. Integration of Sound Awareness: Instead of resisting anthropophony, guides can encourage participants to observe and reflect on how human-generated sounds interact with natural ones, deepening their awareness of the impact of human activity on the environment.

3. Adaptive Practices: Creating mindful soundscapes through guided meditation and intentional listening can help participants focus on beneficial sounds, filtering out disturbances.

4. Advocacy and Education: Shinrin Yoku Guides can play a role in conservation efforts by raising awareness about the importance of protecting natural soundscapes.

As Shinrin Yoku continues to gain global recognition as a therapeutic and mindfulness practice, addressing the challenges of anthropization becomes increasingly crucial. Rather than viewing human impact as an insurmountable obstacle, we can explore ways to work with and around these changes, ensuring that the essence of forest therapy remains intact.

By fostering a deeper understanding of soundscape ecology and incorporating mindful strategies into our practices, we can continue to help people reconnect with nature—even in a world that is becoming noisier by the day. The key lies in adaptation, innovation, and advocacy for preserving the sacred quietude of our forests – we have to be (unfortunately) realistic about it and continue our work as guides to promote reconnection between and nature and humans.