Original scientific paper
Noise Pollution in Forest Environment Due to Forest Operations
Igor Potočnik
; University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Department of Forestry and Renewable Forest Resources, Ljubljana, SLOVENIA
Anton Poje
; University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Department of Forestry and Renewable Forest Resources, Ljubljana, SLOVENIA
Abstract
Noise is a disturbing and unpleasant sound and refers to subjective definition of sound. A sound can have a series of different physical features. However, it becomes noise when it has negative physiological or psychological impact on a human being, e.g. causes health impairments and behavioral disorders. In the animal kingdom the high levels of noise may interrupt natural cycles, such as animal eating habits, coupling, and migration paths, or even cause the extinction of animal species living in noise polluted environment. Undoubtedly, modern forest operations cause noise in the forest. The goal of this research is to study the level of noise pollution as well as stand and terrain conditions influencing noise spreading in forest environment. It was established that the total chain saw noise power equals the wind noise at the distance of 140 m, whereas the sound levels up with that of forest silence at 252 m. The chain saw noise is similar to background noise at distances of 60–80 m and frequencies below 80 Hz and above 12.5 kHz. Consequently, this means lesser impact on natural environment in these frequency bands. The hypothesis was not confirmed, i.e. that vertically screened forest attenuates noise spreading more successfully than vertically nonscreened forest: the difference emerges due to sound reflections in vertically screened forest, causing less sound absorption. However, the differences were confirmed at the distance of 80m regarding noise attenuation in different seasons: winter – summer (difference of 11.92 dB), spring – summer (difference of 6.89 dB), and insignificant between winter and spring.
Keywords
noise attenuation; noise frequency; forest operations; noise pollution; forest
Hrčak ID:
63724
URI
Publication date:
20.12.2010.
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