Sonification: Understanding Climate Change Through Trees’ Acoustic Suffering
One installation that harnesses data-driven music for scientific research is treelab. Created by Marcus Maeder, it combines acoustic recordings with sonifications to show how trees experience drought in Valais, the driest part of the Swiss Alps. “We realised we can render something abstract, like climate change, through the acoustic suffering of trees,” says Maeder.
Exploring Tree Response to Drought
When trees photosynthesize, they use water to distribute nutrients, and pressure is applied to draw more water from the ground. If none can be found, the tree’s water columns break, forming air bubbles. These emit ultrasonic popping sounds called cavitation pulses, which Maeder recorded using piezo elements. These diaphragms, found in pocket calculators, were adapted into contact microphones.
Sonification of Microclimatic Sensors
“Then we have microclimatic sensors, like soil humidity and temperature, or incoming light,” he continues. These are the elements that he sonified, each prompting an intriguing artistic question: what does sunlight sound like? Which noises convey moisture? “In the case of humidity, we made a recording of a flushing stream, pitched the sounds down and filtered them extremely.”
Merging these recordings reveals a living being responding to an arid climate in real-time. Tree growth halts, and as the whirling sounds of humidity decline, the distressed crackles of drought-stricken trees intensify. “You can create a holistic experience of ecosystems,” says Maeder.
Sonification’s Potential in Studying Habitats
It’s an insight into sonification’s potential, both for studying habitats and making reams of data comprehensible, even sympathetic, for the public. For artists amplifying the climate emergency, it makes a compelling tool. Singh emphasizes not losing sight of bio-sonification’s real stars, as machines should act as conduits to understand living things.
Conclusion
Understanding climate change through trees’ acoustic suffering provides a unique perspective on the impact of environmental factors on ecosystems. Through sonification, we can emotionally connect with the causes and effects of climate change, not only on humans but also on non-human organisms.
FAQs About Sonification and Climate Change
Q: How does sonification help in understanding climate change?
A: Sonification translates data into auditory signals, allowing for a unique perspective and emotional connection to environmental issues like climate change.
Q: What is the significance of tree acoustic suffering in scientific research?
A: Tree acoustic suffering provides insights into how environmental factors, such as drought, impact vegetation and ecosystems.
Q: Can sonification be used for other scientific studies?
A: Yes, sonification can be applied to various scientific fields to make complex data more accessible and engaging for researchers and the public.
Credit: djmag.com
