The September 2014 Sun magazine contained a long interview with Bernie Krause, a
man who records soundscapes in natural settings all over the world. He has been doing
this for nearly 40 years, and guess what he has observed? You guessed correctly. The
chorus of sounds from those natural sites is greatly diminished. Some sites are silent.
There are very few creatures left at more than half of the sites.
Creatures thrive as much through their voice as through any other aspect of their
behavior. Anyone who has spent much time outdoors knows that a predator can be heard
by a rustle of the leaves long before it can be seen. Life depends upon the ability to hear
and emit sound – defending territory, communication with mates, signaling danger.
Animals’ voices have evolved to be heard within the larger natural soundscape.
Unfortunately most species have not adapted to modern human-made noises.
As organisms evolved over time, they began to produce their own acoustic signatures,
which had to fit within the existing soundscapes. Critters enter the soundscape each day
in a structured order, almost as if following Darwin’s timeline of evolution, insects first,
then amphibians, then reptiles, then birds, then mammals.
What I found fascinating (while reading Bernie Krause’s interview) is what happens
when a species is dislocated from one habitat and must move to another habitat. Those
critters often must adjust their frequency and sound to meld into the new surroundings.
They listen. Their survival depends upon how they can fit into that new place. They listen
and they join the new soundscape with harmony, whether it is a new frequency or pitch
or the old one. They do not announce their arrival with loud interruption; they become
part of the new place without disturbing the balance of that place.
The soundscape itself has a sort of balance, a structured sound much like that of a
musical score. Birds of the same species, such as white-crowned sparrows, have different
dialects and syntax when they are vocalizing in different areas. That’s because local
soundscapes and landscape structures provide very specific channels in which they can
communicate. The birds develop songs that will be clearly transmitted and received in
each area.
As humans, we are also part of the organized soundscape, though we tend to be so noisy
that we drown out the rest of the world. Modern culture has produced such noise from
airplanes, interstate highways, cell phones and constant TV/radio transmissions (even at
the gas pumps) that we are going nuts. ADD and ADHD are our own invention, produced
by the progress and material power of which we are so proud.
Recently a man donated to Saluda Community Land Trust a forested two-acre parcel of land next to I-26 near Saluda. It is covered with mature trees, a stream, and a view over
the highway. After spending a half hour on that land I determined that it is no longer a fit
habitat for any creatures. The sound and vibrations from the highway make the land
perilous for any life, with the exception of insects maybe. When Eisenhower signed the
interstate highway act in 1956, did anyone even think that the dead zone being created
would be far greater than the 200 foot right of way? Did anyone care?
No other sense – sight, touch, taste, or smell – gives us such a keen sense of place as does
sound. It gives a sense of security beyond description. When sitting outside in the woods
or in a field I know exactly where I am because of the soundscape. I am making no
announcement to the landscape with my voice, or car, or cell phone. I am part of the
landscape. I fit in to something much bigger than me. It creates a sense of security and
peace of mind like none other.
Here’s one last quote from Mr. Krause. “When we blow apart a mountaintop to get coal,
we destroy a fragile habitat, likely forever. When we clear-cut a patch of old growth
forest, the insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals that called it home are likely
gone forever. How many forevers do we need to illustrate both our dominance and our
level of stupidity?” Good question.