Good Condition, but Noisy: Critical Gaps in Ecological Assessment Frameworks

Abstract

Ecological condition assessments can guide conservation priorities yet often neglect pervasive stressors such as noise pollution. We examined whether assessed ecological condition reflects exposure to transportation noise exceeding 50 dB Lden (day–evening–night levels), a conservative threshold given documented negative effects on wildlife at lower levels. Using site-level data from assessments in Norway, based on the EcoSyst framework, which relies on structural field parameters, we analyzed noise exposure across ecological condition classes (good, moderate, poor, very reduced). This revealed a critical mismatch: noise-exposed area and the proportion of habitat exposed were both higher, or similar, in “good” condition habitats than in poorer condition classes—contrary to expectation. Current frameworks, which focus solely on structural indicators, risk overstating ecosystem integrity by failing to account for acoustic degradation. We recommend integrating noise exposure into ecological condition assessment protocols and ecosystem accounting frameworks to strengthen their validity and relevance for conservation planning and policy.