Environmental Researches

Environmental Researches

Modeling of the Relationship Between Bird Distribution, Traffic Noise and Other Environmental Variables Along Asian Highway in Golestan National Park

Authors
SH Gharibi 1
A Salmanmahiny 2
H Varaste 3
1 MSc. Student, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
2 Assoc. Prof. in Environmental Sciences, College of Fisheries and Environmental Sciences, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
3 Assist. Prof. in Environmental Sciences, College of Fisheries and Environmental Sciences, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
Abstract
This paper examines the likely relationship between traffic noise and other environmental variables
and bird distribution. The study was conducted in September 2012, along Asian Highway in Golestan
National Park. The sampling stations were selected in 76 points using Systematic-Random method at
various distances between 0-250 meters from the road. Birds and environmental variables were
sampled in a radius of 25 meters from each point. In each of the sampling points and in the center of
the plot, birds and other variables such as temperature, relative humidity, traffic noise, number of
vehicles (light, heavy and medium-weight vehicles), number of horn beeping, height, the sound
barrier height, width of the road, slope and the geographical size were measured. All data were
recorded during a week of the year with the heaviest traffic and noise pollution. The birds as
dependent variables were divided into three guilds namely Primary Cavity Nesting Birds, Secondary
Cavity Nesting Birds and non Cavity Nesting Birds and accordingly, three prediction models were
developed. The result of multivariable linear regression analyses showed that in all of these models
the most important factor affecting birds is traffic noise.
Keywords
Modeling
Golestan National Park
Birds
Road
Traffic noise
Environmental variable