When The Lab Gets Loud: Testing Noise Effect Of Plants

Noise pollution is increasing in both scope and intensity due to the growth of the human population and urban development, significantly impacting terrestrial and aquatic habitats. Anthropogenic noise is pervasive in nature and has been shown to affect a wide range of animal taxa. Recent studies, however, reveal that noise and vibrations can also influence plants, altering their morphological, physiological, and genetic traits. This suggests that noise pollution may exert effects on ecosystems at more complex levels than previously understood. In this study, we investigated the effects of broadband noise (pink noise) on two plant species (one herbaceous and one tree species) to explore its potential impact on vegetation. Laboratory experiments were conducted under controlled conditions at the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Italy. Seeds were planted in soil-filled pots and placed within two phytotrons -one designated as the treatment chamber, where pink noise was continuously emitted through a speaker, and the other as the control chamber, with no noise exposure. We assessed whether noise influenced germination rates, growth and survival of plants. Preliminary results show an effect on germination and development of the herbaceous species.