Some physical and psychological aspects of noise attenuation by vegetation

Abstract

The physical mechanisms governing sound attenuation by foliage, stems, and ground are reviewed. Reflection of sound energy is found to be the primary mechanism. In addition, new experimental results are discussed that help to quantify the psychological effect of a plant barrier on perceived noise level. Listeners judged the loudness of noise transmitted through hemlock trees and through a minimal fence barrier to differ by as much as 7 dB even though the sound level at the listener was the same.

Parent Publication

• Proceedings of the conference on metropolitan physical environment

Citation

Aylor, Donald E. 1977. Some physical and psychological aspects of noise attenuation by vegetation. In: Heisler, Gordon M.; Herrington, Lee P., eds. Proceedings of the conference on metropolitan physical environment; Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-25. Upper Darby, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. 229-233