What Conservation Sounds Like: Systematic Approach

This research explores soundscapes – the composition of biotic and abiotic sound elements in a region – and their relationships with pets and wildlife. The study aims to address the question, “How do domestic pets impact wildlife through changing local soundscapes?”. Soundscapes play a critical role in wildlife behavior and hold cultural and emotional significance for humans through the formation of memories and values. Extant literature shows that pets affect wildlife, so understanding anthropogenic noise is crucial for guiding conservation efforts. A systematic review was conducted using combinations of the three search terms “domestic pets”, “soundscapes” and “wildlife”. Notably, searches only returned one article on domestic pets and soundscapes, although 116 were returned for wildlife and soundscapes. This gap highlights the need for more research on how pets impact soundscapes and, in turn, local wildlife. The significance of this study lies in developing guidance for future research by tracking features of soundscapes that, hypothetically, may be impacted by pets. This work aims to support a holistic understanding of conservation efforts while promoting a deeper connection between humans, natural environments, and the sounds they contain.