A noisy Anthropocene is imposing fatal stress on wildlife, Pg II

Key Highlights:

• A new study published in Science reveals that extreme noise pollution, a characteristic of the Anthropocene, is imposing fatal stress on wildlife.
• Researchers analyzed over 200 experimental studies across six continents, finding that noise altered specific traits in 80% of 177 aquatic and terrestrial species.
• The study reported a staggering 138% increase in mortality among many animals and an overall 27% reduction in fitness due to noise.
• Predator hunting success decreased by approximately 25%, despite a 150% increase in hunting effort, due to noise interference.
• Marine environments are particularly susceptible to noise pollution, as sound travels faster and farther in water, impacting species that rely on it for survival.

Detailed Insights:

• The increase in human-generated sounds, termed anthrophony, from sources like traffic, industrial activity, and sonar operations, has been consistent over the past 50 years.
• Noise pollution disrupts crucial biological processes, including predator-prey interactions, parental care, and internal homeostasis.
• Physiological effects observed include the activation of stress hormones, cellular damage, impaired immune function, and changes in organs and specialized tissues.
• Cognitive functions, reflexive reactions, and even sexual selection are negatively impacted by chronic exposure to noise.
• While some species, like certain birds, compensate by increasing parental care, others reduce it, leading to lower offspring survival rates.
• Some predators, such as killer whales, experience impaired prey detection due to marine noise, while a few species can benefit from "acoustic traps" created by noise.

Scientific/Technical Concepts Involved:

• Anthropocene: The proposed current geological epoch characterized by significant human impact on Earth's geology and ecosystems.
• Anthrophony: Sounds generated by human activities, forming a component of the overall soundscape.
• Homeostasis: The self-regulating process by which biological systems maintain stability and optimal internal conditions for survival.