Experts have been encouraging people and businesses to think about how human-generated noise might damage the area’s environmental fauna. We ought to be protecting ground-nesting birds, bats, and insects from the deleterious effects of noise pollution. Kevin Munroe is an avid wildlife enthusiast and conservationist. He is quick to point out that elevated levels of noise can interfere with important activities across species, including feeding, nesting, and reproduction.
Here, the impacts of noise pollution are inarguably worst during the early hours of the day. Birds are most lively communicators from dawn to 9 a.m. We know this window is incredibly salient for their daily commuting, shopping, etc. For example, Munroe recommends housing owners to schedule noisy lawncare for later in the day. This is critical for minimizing disruptions during this sensitive period of time.
“You can play music and have fun, but try not to make any loud noises,” – Kevin Munroe
The effects of noise pollution go further than just the immediate disturbances. It negatively impacts ecosystem-wide health. Munroe emphasizes the importance of birds as key pollinating agents. Beyond their economic value, they’re a critical part of pest control, saving farmers money while strengthening our economy. It’s the same for bats and insects which offer these essential services.
The Nature Conservancy encourages commitments to reduce industrial noise pollution and applauds demands for changes in dangerous industrial practices. They even go so far as to suggest that when siting noisy facilities, planners consider locations of sensitive areas that could be detrimental to wildlife. They lobby for designing these facilities in a way that includes sound barriers. Retrofitting which includes sound walls, vegetative screening, and noise absorbing equipment to further reduce the impact on birds and other animals.
In each cartoon Munroe reminds us just how interesting and vital animal communication is. Numerous species rely on their songs to establish social connections and aid in navigation and orientation. He also compares these tunes to GPS systems for animals.
“Quite a few animals communicate primarily through song, and their songs are how they find each other,” – Kevin Munroe
He elaborates on this analogy, noting that losing these auditory signals can be devastating for wildlife.
“Imagine these songs are the birds’ roadmaps to each other, and imagine you’re using your GPS to get somewhere and all of a sudden it turns off, and that’s the only way you can find your family. Now, with it turned off, there’s no way you’ll find your family. That’s what song is like for these animals,” – Kevin Munroe
Beyond specific calls to action for people and sectors, Munroe rallies citizens to take action against noise pollution in their communities. He urges residents to speak with local municipalities about noise ordinances and advocate for the creation of sound sanctuaries to protect vulnerable species such as wood thrushes and katydids.
This web-like interconnectedness of species underscores the widespread effects of anthropogenic noise pollution on ecological balance. Wondrous birds, bats, and insects flourish in their natural habitats. Through their roles in agroecosystems, they provide key services that underpin human agricultural systems and increasingly support more biodiverse, sustainable practices.
