For most of our nation's history, the building of roads has been an essential measure of progress. In the last half-century, however, many Americans have grown increasingly uncomfortable with their proliferation. And with good reason. The science of road ecology, a new but burgeoning field, has already developed an extensive body of research proving that roads harm nature in ways that the first Eisenhower Era Interstate engineers would never have imagined. For example, wildlife clearly suffers from highway noise.
Many songbird species breed poorly near highways.
Road noise may make their songs either inaudible or barely audible, may shorten communication distances, and may even change the perceived location of songs. Extreme or sudden noises flush birds from their nests, not only endangering the eggs but also harming the adults, which use up precious energy in their escape flight. Dutch studies show that road noise may even discourage bird calls in the first place. And these disruptions occur sometimes more than a mile distant from the highway. Other species are at risk too.