DOI: 10.5061/dryad.f7mb0
title: Data from: The soundscapes of lakes across an urbanization gradient

description: Background/Methodology: A significant implication of increasing
 urbanization is anthropogenic noise pollution. Although noise is strongly
 associated with disruption of animal communication systems and negative
 health effects for humans, the study of these consequences at ecologically
 relevant spatial and temporal scales (termed ‘soundscape ecology’) is in
 early stages of application. In this study, we examined the above- and
 below-water soundscape of recreational and residential lakes in the region
 surrounding a large metropolitan area. Using univariate and multivariate
 approaches we test the importance of large- and local-scale landscape
 factors in driving acoustic characteristics across an urbanization
 gradient, and visualize changes in the soundscape over space and time.
 Principal Findings: Anthropogenic noise (‘anthrophony’) was strongly
 predicted by a landcover-based metric of urbanization (within a 10 km
 radius of the lake), with presence of a public park as a secondary
 influence; this urbanization signal was apparent even in below-water
 recordings. The percent of hourly measurements exceeding noise thresholds
 associated with outdoor disturbance was 67%, 17%, and 0%, respectively,
 for lakes characterized as High, Medium, and Low urbanization. Decreased
 biophony (proportion of natural sounds) was associated with presence of a
 public park followed by increased urbanization; time of day was also a
 significant predictor of biophony. Local-scale (shoreline) residential
 development was not related to changes in biophony. The patterns we
 identify are illustrated with a multivariate approach which allows use of
 entire sound samples and facilitates interpretation of changes in a
 soundscape. Conclusions/Significance: As highly valued residential and
 recreation areas, lakes represent ‘everyday soundscapes’ important to both
 humans and wildlife. Our findings that many of these areas, particularly
 those with public parks, routinely experience sound types and levels
 associated with disturbance, suggests that urban planners need to account
 for the effect of increasing development on soundscapes to avoid
 compromising goals for ecological and human health.
description: LakeSoundscapes_LakexTime_DataData used in univariate and multivariate statistical analysis of lake soundscapes; data is summarized at the level of lake (sampling site) and time period to reflect the analyses using the manuscript. Includes site (lake)-level factors and characteristics as well as the acoustic data which was collected in the field. Acoustic data metrics were calculated using Raven Pro 1.4; refer to ReadMe file for detailed descriptions of metrics, calculation methods, and sources.LakeSoundscapes_AboveBelowWater_DataAcoustic data collected at sites (lakes) for comparison of hydro (below water) and air (above water) sound characteristics. Data is summarized by site (field=Lake_Name) and includes total average power of all sound samples over all time periods (field=Power) as well as for each 1 kHz frequency interval (e.g. 3to4kHz_Power). All power is in decibels (db) calculated in Raven Pro 1.4LakeSoundscapes_Morton24Hours_DataAcoustic data collected at Morton Lake over 24 hours; reported in manuscript using multivariate analysis of temporal trends. Data is summarized by hour of day (field=HourOfDay) and includes average power of the sound sample for each 1 kHz frequency interval (e.g. 3to4kHz_Power). All power is in decibels (db) calculated in Raven Pro 1.4.