IMPACT OF ANTHROPOGENIC NOISE AND LIGHT POLLUTION ON URBAN VERTEBRATES COGNITION AND BEHAVIOUR: A REVIEW

Abstract

Vertebrates are exposed to anthropogenic noise and artificial light at night (ALAN) because of urbanisation, and both can cause changes in information processing, physiological regulation and behaviour. The aim of this review is to discuss the effects of these pollutants on cognition and behaviour in urban vertebrates, including birds, mammals, amphibians and other vertebrates. Biologically critical sounds, such as mating calls, alarm calls, and parent offspring vocalizations, can be masked by anthropogenic sounds. It can also make them more vigilant and less efficient foragers, make it more difficult to sleep and interfere with brain functions like inhibitory control and vocal learning. The effects of light at night include messing up the natural times when it is light and when it is dark controlling the amount of melatonin messing up the body internal clock, when animals are active effects on reproduction how predators and prey interact, how animals find their way sleep problems and how predators and prey deal with each other. Urban animals can change how they look for food how often they are active when they are active where they live and the sounds, they make by being flexible, in their behavior. These changes can cost energy affect their ability to reproduce and impact their thinking. There is growing evidence that noise and light frequently combine in their effect and that they can be additive, antagonistic or synergistic. Birds have been studied most extensively; but for reptiles, amphibians and mammals, there is still important knowledge lacking. Mitigation measures should involve wildlife-sensitive urban design, such as reduction of traffic noise, the provision of dark corridors, shielded and spectrally appropriate lighting and the protection of quiet and dark refuges of habitat.