WildSOUND is a project dedicated to exploring the soundscape of the Alpine ecosystem and understanding how human activities are transforming it.
Sound plays a crucial role in how animals communicate and perceive other individuals—both within and across species. Even in remote areas like the Alps, human presence has steadily increased over time—bringing with it the many sounds we produce. These sounds can become noise when they disturb natural ecosystems, triggering different types of responses from wildlife: animals may avoid certain areas, change their behavior (e.g. become more vigilant), or show physiological signs of stress (e.g. increased movement and energy expenditure, or elevated stress hormone levels).
With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, the WildSOUND project investigates the impact of human-generated noise on wildlife in the Alpine environment, focusing in particular on mammals. The project aims to promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 15 and the Horizon Europe framework.
Using a wide network of acoustic recorders, the project will measure sound levels and identify sources of anthropogenic noise. It will also assess the behavioral and physiological effects of this noise on wildlife and conduct controlled experiments to gain a deeper understanding of these impacts.
The project is funded by the European Commission. More details on the funding can be found here.
The Edmund Mach Foundation in San Michele All’Adige (Italy) hosts the WildSOUND project within its unit of Animal Ecology, under the supervision of Professor Francesca Cagnacci. The project is led by Doctor Virginia Iorio.