Social-ecological relationships on biodiverse and health-promoting city soundscapes.

Referenz:
Egerer, M., Annighöfer, P., Arzberger, S., Bahlmann, T., Burger, S., Coenen, M., Fairbairn, A., Fiebig, A., Heckner, F., Hisada, N., Immich, G., Kraft, E., Meier, N., Meyer, S.T., Mühlbauer, M., Petroschkat, K., Probst, B.M., Schmitt, S., Voicu, G., Voss, S., Weissmann, J., & Pauleit, S. (2025). Social-ecological relationships on biodiverse and health-promoting city soundscapes. Bacic and Applied Ecology, in press.
DOI: 10.1016/j.baae.2025.12.007

Veröffentlichung:
Dezember, 2025

Abstract:
Urban soundscapes indicate biodiversity and environmental conditions, including urban stressors. Although relationships among soundscapes, biodiversity, and mental health effects exist, better quantification is needed to inform biodiversity-based health interventions. We present the pilot phase of the CitySoundscapes project, a transdisciplinary effort to develop methods for surveying biodiversity and human wellbeing associated with urban soundscapes. This approach involved citizens and practitioners across conservation, planning and health sectors as well as various urban contexts. In this initial one-year phase of our research, we investigated how soundscape characteristics relate to green space structural complexity, how to measure biodiversity using acoustic monitoring (here, vocal bird species), and people’s acoustic perceptions. We also piloted participatory approaches to identify where there are places of high biodiversity, high acoustic comfort and perceived restoration. Our goal was not to deliver exhaustive ecological results, but to test and combine methods from ecology, environmental psychology, and urban planning for feasibility and complementarity. We present these methods and an approach to assess relationships among sound, biodiversity and wellbeing in urban spaces of varying vegetation structure. This case study provides a perspective on how green spaces and their structural features could relate to soundscapes and acoustic comfort and restoration, as well as how green spaces offer habitat for a diversity of sound-producing organisms. This methodological and conceptual contribution offers the groundwork for ecological and inter- and transdisciplinary research. The preliminary insights can inform ecological understanding and practical strategies for healthier, more biodiverse cities.

Using soundwalks to promote salutogenetic urban environments.

Referenz:
Baierl, S., Voss, S., Immich, G., Fiebig, A., Hisada, N., Meier, N., Probst, B., & Coenen, M. (2025). Using soundwalks to promote salutogenetic urban environments. Public Health Forum, 33(3), 256-261.
DOI: 10.1515/pubhef-2025-0057

Abstract:
Urban soundscapes influence citizens’ health and wellbeing. Thus, promoting healthy acoustic environments has become an important public health concern in cities. Soundwalks are a participatory method to explore the subjective perception of soundscapes and its effects on individuals. This article describes the conduction of soundwalks in three green spaces within the Bavarian capital of Munich. The soundwalks were part of a feasibility study within the interdisciplinary CitySoundscapes project.

The potential of soundscapes as an ecosystem monitoring tool for urban biodiversity.

Referenz:
Arzberger, S., Fairbairn, A., Hemauer, M., Mühlbauer, M., Weissmann, J., & Egerer, M. (2025). The potential of soundscapes as an ecosystem monitoring tool for urban biodiversity. Journal of Urban Ecology, 11(1), juaf002
DOI: 10.1093/jue/juaf002

Abstract:
As urbanization and densification often lead to significant biodiversity loss, understanding and monitoring urban biodiversity patterns is crucial. Traditional monitoring methods are often costly, time-consuming, and require specialized expertise. Passive acoustic monitoring and soundscape ecology have emerged as promising, non-invasive techniques for ecosystem monitoring. This review aims to provide an overview of methods and approaches utilized in urban soundscape ecology and discuss their limitations. We highlight exemplary studies that focus on urban soundscape and biodiversity monitoring to demonstrate that acoustic recordings can be partially used to predict biodiversity in cities, especially for avian species. To realize the potential of urban soundscape monitoring for biodiversity conservation, current challenges must be addressed. This includes data processing, data security, and missing standardized data collection methods. We call for further research that combines innovative technologies and transdisciplinary approaches for non-invasive biodiversity monitoring to develop effective conservation applications for cities.

Klanglandschaften in der Stadt: Beziehungen zwischen biologischer Vielfalt, Geräuschumgebung und menschlicher Gesundheit in einer grünen städtischen Infrastruktur (CitySoundscapes).

Referenz:
Immich, G., Voss, S., Hisada, N., Fiebig, A., Meier, N., Probst, B., & Coenen, M. (2024). Klanglandschaften in der Stadt: Beziehungen zwischen biologischer Vielfalt, Geräuschumgebung und menschlicher Gesundheit in einer grünen städtischen Infrastruktur (CitySoundscapes). In: Tagungsband "Fortschritte der Akustik - DAGA 2024", 1425-1428.
Zur Publikation

Abstract:
Einleitung: Im Rahmen des Projekts CitySoundscapes wurden Konzept und Methodik für die Durchführung von Hörspaziergängen in urbanen Grünflächen entwickelt. Ziel der Machbarkeitsstudie waren die Testung (1) der Rekrutierungsstrategie, (2) der Fragebögen in verschiedenen Varianten und (3) das Einholen von Feedback der Teilnehmenden zur Verbesserung der Methodik. Methodik: Für die Machbarkeitsstudie wurden Varianten an Erhebungsmethoden und -instrumenten konzipiert und in drei ausgewählten Grünflächen und unterschiedlichen Hörorten getestet. Die Rekrutierung erfolgte über Aushänge in der Nähe der Grünflächen und über soziale Medien. Jeder Hörspaziergang startete in einer grauen Kontrollfläche, gefolgt von drei bis vier Hörorten in Grünflächen. Daten wurden über eine REDCap Datenbank oder Papierfragebogen erfasst. Im Anschluss fanden Kurzinterviews mit Teilnehmenden statt.Ergebnisse: Es nahmen 27 Personen (23 Frauen, 4 Männer) an sechs Hörspaziergängen teil. Die Rekrutierung über Plakate/Flyer war ineffektiver als die Ankündigungen in sozialen Medien. Die Soundwalk DIN-Norm wurde als klar verständlich und eindeutig eingeschätzt, wohingegen die deutsche Übersetzung der Perceived Restorativeness Soundscape Scale als missverständlicher und schwieriger empfunden wurde. Die Länge beider Varianten war angemessen, die Funktionalität des Online-Fragebogens sehr gut. Die Organisation der Hörspaziergänge wurde als sehr gut, die Anleitung und Durchführung als klar und verständlich beurteilt. Fazit: Die Machbarkeitsstudie lieferte wichtige Hinweise zur Verbesserung der Hörspaziergänge.