Anthrophony

Anthrophony is the portion of the acoustic environment produced by human activity. In soundscape studies, it refers to all sounds generated by humans or human activity, including speech, music, machinery, vehicles, construction, and other urban or industrial noises. It coexists with biophony (sounds produced by nonhuman organisms) and geophony (geophysical sounds such as wind and water).

Sources and examples include daily urban traffic, crowd chatter, factory hum, air-conditioners, public announcements, and recreational sounds.

Measurement and analysis: Researchers use sound level meters, multichannel recorders, and acoustic indices to quantify anthrophony, often focusing on metrics like Leq, Lmax, and A-weighted levels (dBA). They may map spatial distribution and diurnal patterns to understand temporal variation.

Impacts and management: High levels of anthropophony can mask biological sounds, affect wildlife behavior, disturb sleep, and impact human health and well-being. Urban planners aim to manage anthrophony through noise mitigation, land-use planning, quiet zones, better building design, sound barriers, and time-of-day restrictions.

Etymology: from Greek anthropos 'human' and phōnē 'sound'.