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Abstract
Growth in transportation networks, resource extraction, motorized recreation and urban
development is responsible for chronic noise exposure in most terrestrial areas, including
remote wilderness sites. Increased noise levels reduce the distance and area over
which acoustic signals can be perceived by animals. Here, we review a broad range
of findings that indicate the potential severity of this threat to diverse taxa, and
recent studies that document substantial changes in foraging and anti-predator behavior,
reproductive success, density and community structure in response to noise. Effective
management of protected areas must include noise assessment, and research is needed
to further quantify the ecological consequences of chronic noise exposure in terrestrial
environments.