Noise pollution has long-term effects on plants, even after it has ceased.
This is supported by the study published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B by the group of the American California Polytechnic State University coordinated by Clint Francis and Sarah Termondt.
In a study conducted in New Mexico, researchers observed that in some sites with more noise pollution, not far from natural gas wells, there was a 75% reduction in the growth of pine seedlings. A phenomenon that has continued over time, more than ten years later, even in places that have become less noisy in the meantime. Probably, experts explain, because the noises frighten birds, such as the jay, which promote dissemination.
“Noise pollution - explained Francis - affects the diversity of plant life in an ecosystem. In fact, although noise can change from moment to moment for humans, it has a more lasting effect on trees and plants. What we observe - he concluded - is that the removal of noise pollution does not necessarily translate into a restoration of the ecological function in a short time ”.
