Assessing the Impact of Anthropogenic Seismic Activity on Wildlife in Protected Areas

Globally, the encroachment of human activities on protected areas is accelerating, posing new challenges for biodiversity conservation. As the United Nations’ 2030 goal of protecting 30% of the planet's landmass for nature draws closer, understanding the lesser-known dimensions of human disturbances becomes critical. Anthropogenic seismic noise, such as that produced by mining, oil drilling, and heavy infrastructure development, represents a largely unexplored but potentially substantial threat to sensitive ecosystems. Recent studies have revealed that large mammals, including elephants, are sensitive to seismic waves, detecting seismic signals and potentially using them for long-distance communication.

This research explores the interplay between seismology and conservation biology by investigating the impact of seismic noise from extractive operations on wildlife spatial behavior and habitat use in Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda. Using seismometers, camera traps, and machine learning models, this study uncovers correlations between seismic activity patterns and shifts in large mammal movements. The findings highlight how seismic disturbances propagate into wildlife behavior, contributing to an emerging understanding of how human activities affect ecosystems beyond visible or audible dimensions. By bridging the fields of geophysics and biodiversity conservation, this research underscores the need for holistic environmental impact assessments in protected areas and provides a foundation for mitigating seismic noise effects on biodiversity.