Wind farm noise and anuran diversity patterns: a case study in Brazilian seasonal dry tropical forest

ABSTRACT Noise pollution contributes to the global biodiversity crisis, however the consequences of this pollution on anuran diversity patterns are poorly understood. This is especially true of less evident sources of noise like wind farms and highly exploited areas, as in the Brazilian semi-arid region. Here, we evaluated the influence of wind farm noise on anuran assemblages’ diversity at the Caatinga, a seasonal dry tropical forest in Brazil. We tested the hypothesis that wind farm noise negatively affects the diversity of anuran assemblages in terms of abundance, species richness and composition. Anurans were sampled in 19 temporary ponds along a noise gradient in two wind farms over a rainy season (March to August). A total of 2,047 individuals belonging to 20 species were recorded. Our results suggest that wind farm noise has a non-significant relationship with anuran diversity patterns (species richness, composition and abundance). To our knowledge, this is the first investigation into the effects of wind farm noise on anuran assemblages in the Caatinga dry forest. Despite our results suggesting that anuran diversity is insensitive to noise pollution caused by wind farms, identification of emerging threats is essential to mitigate impacts on anuran populations which are declining globally.