Unraveling Soundscape Dynamics: The Interaction Between Vegetation Structure and Acoustic Patterns

Ecoacoustics examines the interactions between soundscapes, ecological processes, and anthropogenic disturbance. Acoustic communication is crucial for wildlife, making noise pollution a key factor in shaping biodiversity, though its effects are also modulated by habitat characteristics. In this work, we assess the influence of highway noise and vegetation structure on the soundscape and avian distribution of the Moriano oxbow lake (Bereguardo, PV, Italy), a Site of Community Importance in the Ticino Valley Regional Park. A two-week monitoring campaign (April 2022) used eight recorders arranged in a grid to analyze soundscape dynamics through eight ecoacoustic indices (ACI, ADI, AEI, BI, NDSI, H, DSC, ZCR). Vegetation surveys quantified tree diversity and structural parameters such as basal area, height, stem density, biomass, and leaf cover. Correlation analyses revealed that Quercus robur abundance and tree diversity significantly influenced the acoustic environment, while bird richness correlated positively with vegetation biomass and Quercus robur presence. Highway proximity was a key structuring factor, with indices (ADI, H, NDSI, ACI) increasing with distance. These findings underscore the dual role of noise and vegetation in shaping soundscapes and highlight the importance of incorporating habitat features into ecoacoustic assessments to better understand biodiversity patterns in anthropized landscapes.