Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) perception of noise from power lines

Authors

  • Kjetil Flydal Department of Biology, Division of General Physiology, University of Oslo, Box 1051 Blindern, N-0316 Oslo, Norway.
  • Ingrid Rogstad Kilde Department of Biology, Division of General Physiology, University of Oslo, Box 1051 Blindern, N-0316 Oslo, Norway.
  • Per S. Enger Department of Biology, Division of General Physiology, University of Oslo, Box 1051 Blindern, N-0316 Oslo, Norway.
  • Eigil Reimers The Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, Department of Morphology, Genetics and Aquatic Biology, P.O. Box 8146 Dep., 0033 Oslo, Norway.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7557/2.23.1.310

Keywords:

audiogram, background noise, corona noise, hearing range, hearing threshold, noise attenuation

Abstract

There has been concern about possible effects of noise from power lines on reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) behaviour. Based on recent establishment of the reindeer audiogram and measurements of corona noise from two power lines of 300 kV and 420 kV, we found that reindeer are able to hear noise from power lines at frequencies above 250 Hz. A comparison with the human audiogram shows that humans are better able to perceive noise from power lines than reindeer, at least at the lowest frequencies. By simple comparisons of this kind, the perception of different types of sound by reindeer can be determined. Possible noise disturbances from human activities and constructions can be minimised if the intensity can be reduced for frequencies in the best hearing range of reindeer.

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Published

2003-04-01

How to Cite

Flydal, K., Kilde, I. R., Enger, P. S., & Reimers, E. (2003). Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) perception of noise from power lines. Rangifer, 23(1), 21–24. https://doi.org/10.7557/2.23.1.310

Issue

Vol. 23 No. 1 (2003)

Section

Articles

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