Sound source dominance in mountain soundscapes: Machine listening, human perception, and memory

This paper evaluates sound source dominance in Alpine mountain soundscapes by comparing three distinct methodologies: human perception in situ, automatic sound event detection (SED), and retrospective judgement. Findings indicate that while SED and human perception ratings are generally consistent for categories such as human sounds and water, retrospective recollections can be influenced by non-acoustical factors and prior knowledge. Notably, traffic noise is often overestimated in memory, while natural sounds like water and wildlife are retrospectively associated with an overall experience of silence. These results suggest that integrating quantitative and qualitative data is essential for a comprehensive understanding of mountain soundscapes to support effective environmental monitoring and protective measures.