Acoustic management of Natural Parks: experience in Armañón Park
Regular paper
TECNALIA Research & Innovation
Wednesday 3 june, 2015, 16:40 - 17:00
0.6 Madrid (49)
Abstract:
Natural Parks are ecosystems of high value and meet functions of
biodiversity conservation, in terms of species and also their soundscape.
This paper presents the experience carried out in Armañon Park to integrate
variables of noise pollution in the park management tools. The work has two
objectives: to prevent biodiversity loss associated with noise interfering
natural auditory signals and to enhance the presence of natural sounds as an
element of interest to visit the Natural Park.
It takes into account not only the noise from outside the park, by
consulting noise maps from traditional sources (road traffic, mainly), but
it is specially based on the assessment of the noise associated with the
uses and activities developed inside the park.
The experience carried out in Armañón Park addresses the issue from the two
necessary perspectives: identification of areas under preservation against
noise pollution and analysis of the acoustic impact on those areas caused by
uses and activities in the park.
There is a legal framework in the Spanish legislation to define acoustic
protection areas (reserve of natural sounds), areas whose sounds are
considered subject to preservation for its unique value.
The ultimate goal of the project presented in the paper is to have
scientifically justified tools to condition the acoustic behavior of
activities (farming, ranching, hunting, recreational, etc.) carried out in
the park to preserve its biodiversity.
Therefore, conclusions of the project will be integrated in the
administrative tool that defines the general management plan of the Natural
park, as additional requirements to the park activities.