Spatial-temporal change analysis of plant soundscapes and their design methods

The aim of the study was to describe the soundscape elements, spatial-temporal changes and preferences in plant soundscape using quantitative measures, in order to recommend soundscape design methods. Both acoustic measurements and subjective evaluations of the soundscapes were conducted at various locations in Jinan Forest Park using 14 groups of plant spaces within the park. Our analysis investigated soundscape elements categorized as nature sounds, human activity sounds, and mechanical sounds. The soundscapes varied with time of day and season and were influenced by the surrounding environment and human behavior. Soundscape element preferences were correlated with a visitor's age and visitation frequency, with nature sounds receiving the highest preference scores. Closed nature spaces had lower sound levels and received the highest preference by visitors. The results were further analyzed according to five soundscape methods to improve visitor experience: sound-masking, sound-borrowing, sound-reinforcement, sound-contrasting, and sound-expectation, that are also consistent with Chinese classical garden design.