Analyzing natural area sensitivity thresholds for humans and species diversity in Alberta’s Capital City
What’s all this noise about?
Urban noise is increasingly recognized for its detrimental effects on both human health and biodiversity. This project aims to initiate a long-term monitoring effort to assess the impact of urban noise on natural areas within the City of Edmonton. The goal is to develop a comprehensive framework and actionable tools to reduce noise pollution and support urban biodiversity monitoring, fostering quieter, more sustainable urban environments. This project is in collaboration with the City of Edmonton Arts, Heritage and Nature Experience team, the University of Alberta and the SENSR unit of Biodiversity Pathways Ltd., itself a national subsidiary of the Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute, which is a not-for-profit that tracks changes in wildlife and their habitats across Alberta, working collaboratively to provide ongoing, relevant, and scientifically credible information about our living resources.
Note
This report is dynamically generated, meaning its results may evolve with the addition of new data or further analyses. For the most recent updates, refer to the publication date and feel free to reach out to the authors.
Land Acknowledgement
Edmonton, ᐊᒥᐢᑿᒌᐚᐢᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ Amiskwaciwâskahikan, is located within Treaty 6 Territory and within the Métis homelands and Métis Nation of Alberta Region 4. We acknowledge this land as the traditional territories of many First Nations such as the Nehiyaw (Cree), Denesuliné (Dene), Nakota Sioux (Stoney), Anishinaabe (Saulteaux) and Niitsitapi (Blackfoot).
Introduction
Urbanization, driven by globalization and industrialization, leads to higher population densities and significant changes in landscapes (Carnahan, Gove, and Galle (1974), Berry (2008), Davis (2015)). However, urbanization also introduces anthropogenic challenges, such as light and noise pollution, which are closely tied to densely populated areas and have well-established negative effects on human, biodiversity (Sordello et al. (2020)) and ecosystem health. As cities expand, the need for humans to reconnect with nature becomes increasingly critical (Pyle (2003), Buxton et al. (2024)). This reinforces the need for accessible natural spaces within cities. In response, urban planners are integrating green spaces into cities by creating parks and preserving natural areas (Mata et al. (2020)). Whether urban green spaces can effectively sustain and represent native biodiversity is still being studied as urbanization evolves. Although managed natural areas and green spaces may offer critical habitats, excessive noise pollution can render these spaces unsuitable for species dependent on quiet environments for communication, reproduction, and survival. Even adaptable species face challenges when urban nature design is incomplete or poorly integrated, affecting their fitness and reproductive success.
Modern urban planning offers an opportunity to address these challenges in a holistic manner. By prioritizing quieter, functional urban spaces through district planning and zoning bylaws, urban designs can reduce noise pollution while offering residents easy access to amenities, including grocery stores, schools, and parks. Public transit improvements indirectly mitigates traffic noise, contributing to healthier urban soundscapes. To reshape urban infrastructure effectively, it is essential to understand the temporal changes and behavioural impacts of noise pollution on both humans and wildlife, which requires continuous, robust environmental monitoring. Advances in acoustic and image monitoring technologies now make such environmental assessments more feasible and cost-effective (Buxton et al. (2018)). However, current monitoring practices often rely on resource-intensive methods, such as moving equipment by trucks, which can contradict environmental stewardship principles.
In Alberta’s 2021 Census, 82.3% of the population resided in urban areas, with a significant concentration in census metropolitan areas (CMAs) like Edmonton. The City of Edmonton has committed to enhancing its biodiversity through various strategic initiatives, including the Natural Connections Strategic Plan, 2007 and the Biodiversity Action Plan, 2009. In conjunction with the tenants of these plan, this study outlines a long-term environmental monitoring program that also redefines how monitoring is conducted. By implementing zero-emission transportation and employing autonomous recording units, this program will target both noisy and non-noisy and high and low quality habitat areas of Edmonton to monitor the cities’ evolving soundscape as infrastructure changes. These efforts align with the city’s broader vision for increased walking and cycling infrastructure, reducing traffic noise, and fostering sustainable practices.
This study aims to assess the proportion of natural areas in Edmonton that exceed noise sensitivity thresholds for both people and biodiversity, mapping these thresholds to guide future urban planning decisions. By shifting infrastructure investments from noise mitigation toward sustainable transit, we can create urban environments that are not only quieter but also more harmonious for both human and wildlife populations. Achieving this vision will position Edmonton as a leader in urban biodiversity preservation, sustainable urban living, and environmental stewardship.