LAUSR

Aquatic noise has the potential to travel extreme distances and as such many marine species rely on the soundscape for auditory information regarding habitat selection, predator or prey locations, and communication. These species not only take advantage of the prevailing sounds but also contribute to the soundscape through their own vocalizations. Certain sounds have the potential to negatively effect marine species resulting in unbalanced predator-prey interactions and disrupted communication. In an attempt to determine the implications that changes to the soundscape may have on fishes, we conducted a meta-analysis focusing on how anthropogenic and biological noises may alter fish behavior and physiology. We reviewed 3,174 potentially relevant papers of which 44 met our criteria and were used in the analysis. Results indicated that anthropogenic noise has an adverse effect on marine and freshwater fish behavior and physiology. Alternatively biological and environmental noises did not significantly alter fish behavior and physiology. These findings suggest that although certain species may be more susceptible to anthropogenic noise than others, the vast majority of fish have the potential to be negatively affected by noise pollution, while biological noises may not have the same negative consequences for fish behavior and physiology.Aquatic noise has the potential to travel extreme distances and as such many marine species rely on the soundscape for auditory information regarding habitat selection, predator or prey locations, and communication. These species not only take advantage of the prevailing sounds but also contribute to the soundscape through their own vocalizations. Certain sounds have the potential to negatively effect marine species resulting in unbalanced predator-prey interactions and disrupted communication. In an attempt to determine the implications that changes to the soundscape may have on fishes, we conducted a meta-analysis focusing on how anthropogenic and biological noises may alter fish behavior and physiology. We reviewed 3,174 potentially relevant papers of which 44 met our criteria and were used in the analysis. Results indicated that anthropogenic noise has an adverse effect on marine and freshwater fish behavior and physiology. Alternatively biological and environmental noises did not significantly alter ...