The influence of angle of incidence at a forest edge on acoustic propagation

Acoustic propagation through a forest edge has implications for noise mitigation and acoustic detection systems. While the acoustic significance of this unique environment has been noted in the past, it has not been studied in detail. Acoustic signals that have propagated through a forest edge yield complicated pressure time histories for receivers both within and outside the forest. A recent field experiment was designed to measure acoustic dispersion and attenuation spectra in three distinct regions: open field, forest edge, and deep forest. Ground impedance, meteorological, and biomass structure data were also obtained. This presentation will investigate received signals in the open, edge, and just inside the forest as a function of the angle of incidence between the direct propagation path and the forest edge.