Linking Acoustic Indices to Vegetation and Microclimate in a Historical Urban Garden: Setting the Stage for a Restorative Soundscape

Alessia Portaccio, Francesco Chianucci, Francesco Pirotti (), Marco Piragnolo, Marco Sozzi, Andrea Zangrossi, Miriam Celli, Marta Mazzella di Bosco, Monica Bolognesi, Enrico Sella, Maurizio Corbetta, Francesca Pazzaglia and Raffaele Cavalli
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Alessia Portaccio: Department of Land, Environment, Agriculture and Forestry (TESAF), University of Padova, 35020 Padova, Italy
Francesco Chianucci: Research Centre for Forestry and Wood, CREA, 52100 Arezzo, Italy
Francesco Pirotti: Department of Land, Environment, Agriculture and Forestry (TESAF), University of Padova, 35020 Padova, Italy
Marco Piragnolo: Department of Land, Environment, Agriculture and Forestry (TESAF), University of Padova, 35020 Padova, Italy
Marco Sozzi: Department of Land, Environment, Agriculture and Forestry (TESAF), University of Padova, 35020 Padova, Italy
Andrea Zangrossi: Department of General Psychology, University of Padua, 35121 Padua, Italy
Miriam Celli: Padova Neuroscience Center (PNC), University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
Marta Mazzella di Bosco: Department of General Psychology, University of Padua, 35121 Padua, Italy
Monica Bolognesi: Department of General Psychology, University of Padua, 35121 Padua, Italy
Enrico Sella: Department of General Psychology, University of Padua, 35121 Padua, Italy
Maurizio Corbetta: Department of Neuroscience (DNS), University of Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy
Francesca Pazzaglia: Department of General Psychology, University of Padua, 35121 Padua, Italy
Raffaele Cavalli: Department of Land, Environment, Agriculture and Forestry (TESAF), University of Padova, 35020 Padova, Italy

Land, 2025, vol. 14, issue 10, 1-26

Abstract: Urban soundscapes are increasingly recognized as fundamental for both ecological integrity and human well-being, yet the complex interplay between the vegetation structure, seasonal dynamics, and microclimatic factors in shaping these soundscapes remains poorly understood. This study tests the hypothesis that vegetation structure and seasonally driven biological activity mediate the balance and the quality of the urban acoustic environment. We investigated seasonal and spatial variations in five acoustic indices (NDSI, ACI, AEI, ADI, and BI) within a historical urban garden in Castelfranco Veneto, Italy. Using linear mixed-effects models, we analyzed the effects of season, microclimatic variables, and vegetation characteristics on soundscape composition. Non-parametric tests were used to assess spatial differences in vegetation metrics. Results revealed strong seasonal patterns, with spring showing increased NDSI (+0.17), ADI (+0.22), and BI (+1.15) values relative to winter, likely reflecting bird breeding phenology and enhanced biological productivity. Among microclimatic predictors, temperature ( p < 0.001), humidity ( p = 0.014), and solar radiation ( p = 0.002) showed significant relationships with acoustic indices, confirming their influence on both animal behaviour and sound propagation. Spatial analyses showed significant differences in acoustic patterns across points (Kruskal–Wallis p < 0.01), with vegetation metrics such as tree density and evergreen proportion correlating with elevated biophonic activity. Although the canopy height model did not emerge as a significant predictor in the models, the observed spatial heterogeneity supports the role of vegetation in shaping urban sound environments. By integrating ecoacoustic indices, LiDAR-derived vegetation data, and microclimatic parameters, this study offers novel insights into how vegetational components should be considered to manage urban green areas to support biodiversity and foster acoustically restorative environments, advancing the evidence base for sound-informed urban planning.

Keywords: acoustic indices; seasonal variation; urban garden; soundscapes; vegetational metrics; human well-being (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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