Volume: 5, 2026
5th International PhD Students’ Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland:
ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT
Abstract number: E025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL5.E025
Published online: 22 April 2026
Noise monitoring and acoustic climate assessment in protected areas: the case of Roztocze National Park
Jordan Wilk*, Joanna Szyszlak-Bargłowicz, Grzegorz Zając and Tomasz Słowik
Department of Power Engineering and Transportation, Faculty of Production Engineering, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 28 Głęboka St., 20-612 Lublin, Poland
* Corresponding author: jordan.wilk@up.lublin.pl
Anthropogenic noise is an increasing environmental pressure also in protected areas, where even a slight rise in sound levels may disturb the natural soundscape and ecosystem functioning. The aim of this study was to assess the scale of transport-related impacts on the acoustic climate of Roztocze National Park and to verify the usefulness of selected indicators and assessment criteria under forest conditions.
The research was conducted at ten measurement points, including seven located near roads and three near railway lines. At each site, 24-hour noise measurements were performed together with parallel monitoring of road and rail traffic intensity. The analysis included equivalent sound levels, long-term indicators, the noise pollution level, and the Noise Exposure Index. The results demonstrated the dominant role of road transport in shaping the acoustic climate of the studied area. Compared with reference data from 2003, a clear increase in road traffic pressure was observed, associated with more than a threefold rise in the number of vehicles and higher LAeq values during both daytime and nighttime. In the case of rail transport, the pattern of change was more locally differentiated. Despite an increase in the number of trains, a decrease in equivalent sound levels was recorded at some points, which may be linked to changes in rolling stock structure and emission characteristics. The study also showed that the application of standard threshold values, developed mainly for urbanised areas, may lead to an underestimation of acoustic pressure in protected areas. A more restrictive assessment variant increases diagnostic sensitivity and better reflects the specific nature of the forest environment. The findings indicate the need for regular acoustic monitoring and for the development of dedicated noise assessment criteria for forests and national parks.
Funding source: SD.WTA.25.139.
Keywords: noise pollution in protected areas; acoustic climate; transport
How to cite
Wilk J., Szyszlak-Bargłowicz J., Zając G., Słowik T., 2026. Noise monitoring and acoustic climate assessment in protected areas: the case of Roztocze National Park. In: 5th International PhD Students’ Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL5.E025