Industrial noise measurably reduces ovenbird mating success

Evidence

Researchers studying the impact of noisy compressor stations in Canada’s boreal forests have documented a decrease in successful mating among native ovenbirds, a beautiful, insect-eating warbler. More than 3,000 such industrial noisemakers pump oil and gas in the vast Alberta wilderness around the clock, radiating a low-frequency 75 to 90 dBA noise impact on the surrounding forests. The authors of the study report ovenbird pairing success of 92 percent in quiet habitats, compared to 77 percent at compressor sites. — Gordon Hempton, John Grossmann, One Square Inch of Silence- One Man’s…, 693

Categorization

• XREF: Connects to the earlier chapter pattern of chronic noise harming wildlife, and to the Alaska bighorn sheep being ‘less efficient foragers’ finding in this same chapter. — connects to: Noise pollution directly reduces birds’ reproductive success — Gordon Hempton, John Grossmann, One Square Inch of Silence- One Man’s…, 942; Ambient noise impairs birds’ territory defense and mate attraction — Gordon Hempton, John Grossmann, One Square Inch of Silence- One Man’s…, 942; Noise harms hearing-dependent wildlife more than visual species like peregrines — Gordon Hempton, John Grossmann, One Square Inch of Silence- One Man’s…, 691 (+4 more)
• corroborated: 2 independent passages support this claim — Gordon Hempton, John Grossmann, One Square Inch of Silence- One Man’s…, 693

Broader Connections

• Noise pollution directly reduces birds’ reproductive success #corroborates (0.95) — Gordon Hempton, John Grossmann, One Square Inch of Silence- One Man’s…, 942
• Ambient noise impairs birds’ territory defense and mate attraction #expands (0.85) — Gordon Hempton, John Grossmann, One Square Inch of Silence- One Man’s…, 942
• Natural gas drilling noise correlates with 50 percent sage grouse decline #corroborates (0.80) — Gordon Hempton, John Grossmann, One Square Inch of Silence- One Man’s…, 975
• Helicopter noise measurably alters bighorn sheep foraging behavior #exemplifies (0.70) — Gordon Hempton, John Grossmann, One Square Inch of Silence- One Man’s…, 485
• Noise harms hearing-dependent wildlife more than visual species like peregrines #qualifies (0.60) — Gordon Hempton, John Grossmann, One Square Inch of Silence- One Man’s…, 691