BLM UT GSENM Baseline Acoustic Monitoring Project by CPCESU

The Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units CESU Network is a national consortium of federal agencies, academic institutions, tribal, state, and local governments, nongovernmental conservation organizations (300 partners).

The CPCESU works within the CESU Unit and is aimed at transcending political and institutional boundaries, to create innovative opportunities for research, education, and technical assistance in support of management and stewardship by partner agencies of the Colorado Plateau’s natural, cultural, and social resources.

The CPCESU has a unique collaborative relationship with research scientists, end users of research products, the public, and educators who are trained to bridge the gap between researchers, science users and educators.

PROJECT OBJECTIVE: Natural quiet is important for visitors, ecosystem health, and the welfare of non-human species who reside in protected natural areas. Ambient natural soundscapes are resources to be protected and managed using the best available scientific knowledge and procedures. Although baseline inventories are identified as a priority in the Monument Management Plan, there has been no previous acoustic monitoring accomplished in GSENM. This project will collect and analyze acoustic data to better inform management of how natural sound and noise affect Monument resources and the visitor experience. Acoustic data will help identify Monument settings where soundscapes should be maintained or managed to provide desired soundscape conditions. The activities to be undertaken through this agreement are in furtherance of the mission of the BLM in managing Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.

This project will also provide an opportunity for a partner of the Colorado Plateau Cooperative Ecosystem Unit to bring together university students and BLM science and recreation program staff to collect and analyze acoustic data to determine baseline soundscape conditions. Several basic research questions will be addressed which include identifying areas of low natural ambient or quietest locations in the Monument; identifying those locations being exposed to human-caused sounds and to what degree of decibel level, frequency, and audibility percentages. The cooperator will provide and deploy acoustic monitoring equipment at 8-10 jointly agreed upon locations within the Monument using methodology, equipment and protocol developed by the Natural Sounds Program of the National Park Service within the Department of the Interior.

Student involvement in the project will also help to engage a wider audience in the studies of how natural quiet and noise affect Monument resources and the visitor experience. Many visitors come to the Monument seeking respite from ambient stressors such as noise. The acoustic baseline will serve to inform management which ultimately will result in public benefits by insuring visitors have the opportunity to experience natural quiet within the Monument. GSENM is also one of the most remote protected areas in the lower 48 states and is suspected to be one of the quietest places in the nation. The identification of the natural ambient will result in public knowledge and appreciation of the Monument and other protected areas. Students will be trained in state of the art protocol and methodology of acoustic monitoring.