Anthropophonic Dominance: The Soundscape of Luth Recreational Center

by Parker Lehner The Luth recreational center and its adjacent parking lot are situated in a bustling, urbanized area surrounded by the constant hum of vehicles. The center is located in the heart of a college campus, in close proximity to a major highway. Despite the presence of biophony and geophony, which refer to the natural sounds made by living organisms and geological processes respectively, the soundscape of this area is dominated by anthropophony - sounds created by human technology, such as the constant drone of traffic and the noise of people going about their daily business. The relentless presence of anthropophony can have a significant impact on the environment and the people who inhabit it. Studies have shown that exposure to high levels of anthropogenic noise can lead to a range of negative health effects, including increased stress levels, disturbed sleep patterns, and even hearing loss. The dominance of anthropophony can also have a negative impact on local wildlife, disrupting their communication and breeding patterns. Therefore, it is important to consider ways in which we can reduce the impact of anthropophony on our environment. One solution might be to implement noise reduction measures, such as the installation of sound barriers or the use of quieter technologies. Another approach could be to design green spaces that promote the growth of natural biophony and geophony, which can help to counteract the dominance of anthropophony. This audio recording was captured on April 20th, 2023 at 5:10 pm using a LAV microphone connected to an iPhone 14 and a standard audio recording app. The recording illustrates the limited biophony in the area, as anthropogenic noises have decreased the natural sounds around us. The weather conditions at the time were clear skies.