Editing Soundscape (section)

== In United States National Parks ==<!-- [[Natural Sounds and Night Skies Division]] redirects here -->
The National Park Service Natural Sounds and Night Skies Division<ref>[http://www.nps.gov/nsnsd National Park Service Natural Sounds and Night Skies Division]</ref> actively protects the soundscapes and acoustic environments in national parks across the country. ''Acoustic resources'' are physical sound sources, including both natural sounds (wind, water, wildlife, vegetation) and cultural and historic sounds (battle reenactments, tribal ceremonies, quiet reverence). The ''acoustic environment'' is the combination of all the acoustic resources within a given area – natural sounds and human-caused sounds – as modified by the environment. The acoustic environment includes sound vibrations made by geological processes, biological activity, and even sounds that are inaudible to most humans, such as bat echolocation calls. ''Soundscape'' is the component of the acoustic environment that can be perceived and comprehended by the humans. The character and quality of the soundscape influence human perceptions of an area, providing a sense of place that differentiates it from other regions. ''Noise'' refers to sound which is unwanted, either because of its effects on humans and wildlife, or its interference with the perception or detection of other sounds. ''Cultural soundscapes'' include opportunities for appropriate transmission of cultural and historic sounds that are fundamental components of the purposes and values for which the parks were established.