Noise pollution is now widely recognized as a threat to human health, but, as the World Health Organization (WHO) points out, it continues to grow daily due to the lack of enforcement measures similar to those applied to other environmental pollutants.

Many animal species rely on sound for vital tasks, such as finding a mate or avoiding predators, using sounds to communicate. Noise pollution's interference with these messages impairs animals' ability to reproduce or escape, thereby threatening their survival and the stability of their populations.

A study published in Biology Letters suggests that noise pollution not only harms many animals but also threatens the survival of over 100 different species.

Among the threatened species are numerous land and aquatic animals, including amphibians, arthropods, birds, fish, mammals, mollusks, and reptiles.

Even light or intermittent noise pollution can force predator species to expend more time and energy searching for food, leading to population decline. For example, bats and owls struggle to hunt because noise pollution masks the subtle sounds made by their prey.

Underwater noise from shipping, energy production, construction, and other activities poses a significant threat to whales, dolphins, and other marine creatures. Studies highlight fish larvae that instinctively move toward the sounds of coral reefs; however, when excessive noise from ships and other human sources interferes, many fish larvae get lost or approach poor-quality reefs, leading to shorter lifespans. Additionally, hearing loss has been observed in whales.

In a study on mongooses, researchers observed their reactions to recorded traffic noise and predator sounds in their habitat. They found that mongooses lost attentiveness when hearing traffic noise, making them less vigilant against predators. Animals exposed to traffic sounds were unable to focus on predator vibrations and paid less attention to potential threats.

Similarly, noise pollution disrupts ecosystems along migration routes, affecting animal migration patterns. Some migratory birds avoid noisy areas, altering not only their migratory paths but also their long-term habitats and nesting sites. Many ecosystems and non-migratory species depend on the arrival of migratory birds; unexpected changes could trigger ecological shifts.

If urgent action isn’t taken to mitigate the damage noise pollution causes to ecosystems, irreversible consequences will follow. The solution is straightforward: to create a quieter world.