Introducing a noise net around airfields that emits sound levels equivalent to those of a conversation in a busy restaurant could prevent collisions between birds and aircraft, saving passenger lives and billions in damages, new research has found.
A study published in Ecological Applications led by Professor John Swaddle, visiting Research Associate at the University of Exeter, found that filling a controlled area with acoustic noise around an airfield, where the majority of collisions tend to take place, can reduce the number of birds in the area by 80 per cent.
Bird strikes cost the aviation industry worldwide billions of pounds annually, $937 million in the US alone, and were responsible for 255 deaths between 1988 and 2013, yet measures to reduce these have been largely ineffective. Collisions also pose a threat to resident and migratory birds as they often find the habitat around airports such as wetlands and open fields attractive.
Techniques to deter birds from airports include shooting, poisoning, live-capture and relocation, and the use of scare technologies, but these have proved largely ineffective. Professor Swaddle and his team believe they have found a benign and relatively cost effective solution to the problem by emitting 24- hour noise in the area to interrupt bird communication.
The researchers set up speakers and amplifiers in three areas of an airfield in Virginia USA and observed bird abundance over eight weeks, the first four weeks without noise and the second four weeks with the noise turned on.
Results showed a large decrease in the number of birds in the ‘sonic net’ and areas just outside and found that it was particularly effective at deterring a number of species that were at high risk of bird strike such as starlings.
“We have conducted prior research in an aviary but this is the first study done out in the field to show the efficacy of the sonic net. We are using a different kind of deterrent–trying to stop birds from hearing one another by playing a noise that is at the same pitch as the alarm calls or predator noises they are listening out for,” said Professor Swaddle, who is also Professor of Biology at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg in the US.
“By playing a noise at the same pitch, we mask those sounds, making the area much riskier for the birds to occupy. The birds don’t like it and leave the area around the airfields, where there is potential for tremendous damage and loss of life.”
There was no sign of the birds becoming habituated to the noise which was set at a level louder than a domestic dishwasher but no more than that of a noisy restaurant.
“These findings have implications for airport safety but also have potential applications for agriculture and for alternative energy sources such as solar farms, where birds living and feeding in the area can cause disruption, and around wind turbines where the birds are at risk of collision and the threat to birds can sometimes be a legislative barrier,” Professor Swaddle added.
Learn more:Â Sonic net could save birds and aircraft, study suggests
The Latest on: Sonic net
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Sonic net” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Sonic net
- Paramount Plus Schedule April 22-28 2024: New TV Shows & Movies Being Addedon April 20, 2024 at 1:06 pm
Paramount Plus‘s new TV and movie releases for April 22-28 2024 include the Sonic the Hedgehog spin-off series Knuckles and the film The Painter. On April 25, Paramount Plus subscribers can check out ...
- Sonic x Shadow Generations has been rated in South Koreaon April 20, 2024 at 10:41 am
Sonic x Shadow Generations has been rated in South Korea.The South Korean Game Content Rating Committee didn't have ...
- Aural introduces new 'Sonic Metamorphosis' record, created entirely from the natural worldon April 20, 2024 at 1:37 am
Aural has shared his new album, 'Sonic Metamorphosis'. Navigating a dreamscape-like world of ambient and experimental sounds, the record might possibly boast the title of being an auditory exploration ...
- Keanu Reeves joins ‘Sonic 3’ as Shadow the Hedgehogon April 17, 2024 at 1:37 pm
John Wick” star Keanu Reeves has been confirmed to voice the character of Shadow in the upcoming film “Sonic the Hedgehog 3.” As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, Reeves will be ...
- 'Never have I ever tipped at sonic what.'on April 17, 2024 at 7:38 am
Are you supposed to tip at Sonic? A lot of people aren’t sure. This debate opened up after a viral video showing a woman not leaving a tip went viral. In the TikTok, Shasteen Jamae (@ ...
- Keanu Reeves to voice Shadow in ‘Sonic the Hedgehog’on April 16, 2024 at 10:38 am
Keanu Reeves has joined the popular franchise Sonic the Hedgehog for its third instalment, where he will voice the character of Shadow. This casting news was ...
- Keanu Reeves in Sonic the Hedgehog was foreshadowed all alongon April 16, 2024 at 5:02 am
Last night it was revealed that Keanu Reeves will be the voice of Shadow in the forthcoming Sonic the Hedgehog 3 film.
- Keanu Reeves’ Net Worth In 2024: Decoding The Matrix Star’s Estimated $380 Million Fortune!on April 16, 2024 at 3:29 am
The celebrated and one of the most loved Hollywood heroes, Keanu Reeves, has an estimated net worth of $380 million. On the professional front, Keanu Reeves will work alongside Jim Carrey and Ben ...
- Has Keanu Reeves Been Confirmed To Be Shadow the Hedgehog In Sonic 3?on April 15, 2024 at 1:48 pm
Keanu Reeves has LONG been stated to be a contender to voice Shadow The Hedgehog in the upcoming Sonic 3 film. And now, people are saying it's for real!
- Keanu Reeves Joins ‘Sonic 3’ as Shadowon April 15, 2024 at 6:06 am
Paramount will release the video game feature Dec. 20. By Aaron Couch, Borys Kit Keanu Reeves is the latest star to join 'Sonic the Hedgehog 3.' Steve Jennings/Getty Images Keanu Reeves is ...
via Bing News