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RJ Laverne Dissertation.pdf (14.98 MB)

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Loss of Urban Forest Canopy and the Related Effects on Soundscape and Human Directed Attention

Laverne, Robert James
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8784-2168
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=csu1483721382249909

Abstract Details

2016, Doctor of Philosophy in Urban Studies and Public Affairs, Cleveland State University, Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs.
The specific questions addressed in this research are: Will the loss of trees in residential neighborhoods result in a change to the local soundscape? The investigation of this question leads to a related inquiry: Do the sounds of the environment in which a person is present affect their directed attention? An invasive insect pest, the Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis), is killing millions of ash trees (genus Fraxinus) throughout North America. As the loss of tree canopy occurs, urban ecosystems change (including higher summer temperatures, more stormwater runoff, and poorer air quality) causing associated changes to human physical and mental health. Previous studies suggest that conditions in urban environments can result in chronic stress in humans and fatigue to directed attention, which is the ability to focus on tasks and to pay attention. Access to nature in cities can help refresh directed attention. The sights and sounds associated with parks, open spaces, and trees can serve as beneficial counterbalances to the irritating conditions associated with cities. This research examines changes to the quantity and quality of sounds in Arlington Heights, Illinois. A series of before-and-after sound recordings were gathered as trees died and were removed between 2013 and 2015. Comparison of recordings using the Raven sound analysis program revealed significant differences in some, but not all measures of sound attributes as tree canopy decreased. In general, more human-produced mechanical sounds (anthrophony) and fewer sounds associated with weather (geophony) were detected. Changes in sounds associated with animals (biophony) varied seasonally. Monitoring changes in the proportions of anthrophony, biophony and geophony can provide insight into changes in biodiversity, environmental health, and quality of life for humans. Before-tree-removal and after-tree-removal sound recordings served as the independent variable for randomly-assigned human volunteers as they performed the Stroop Test and the Necker Cube Pattern Control test to measure directed attention. The sound treatments were not found to have significant effects on the directed attention test scores. Future research is needed to investigate the characteristics of urban soundscapes that are detrimental or potentially conducive to human cognitive functioning.
Wendy Kellogg, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Sanda Kaufman, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Helen Liggett, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
William Sullivan, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Nicholas Zingale, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
460 p.
Acoustics; Behavioral Psychology; Ecology; Environmental Management; Environmental Science; Environmental Studies; Forestry; Natural Resource Management; Psychology; Urban Forestry; Urban Planning
Urban forestry; Urban planning; Emerald Ash Borer; Soundscape Ecology; Directed Attention;

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Laverne, R. J. (2016). Loss of Urban Forest Canopy and the Related Effects on Soundscape and Human Directed Attention [Doctoral dissertation, Cleveland State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=csu1483721382249909

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Laverne, Robert. Loss of Urban Forest Canopy and the Related Effects on Soundscape and Human Directed Attention. 2016. Cleveland State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=csu1483721382249909.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Laverne, Robert. "Loss of Urban Forest Canopy and the Related Effects on Soundscape and Human Directed Attention." Doctoral dissertation, Cleveland State University, 2016. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=csu1483721382249909

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

csu1483721382249909
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© 2016, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Cleveland State University and OhioLINK.