Creating ecological soundwalks through an enmeshed ecoacoustic practice

While acoustic ecology has traditionally focused on promoting positive changes within the sonic environment, this project addresses a gap in the literature by extending its scope to engage with ecology and biodiversity more holistically. It situates sound-based practice within the context of the interconnected climate and biodiversity crisis, exploring the formation of ecological thinking and how this underpins ecological understanding and a considered response of environmental action.<br><br>Three contrasting core study sites across Ireland were investigated over a long-term period: the Vale of Clara, a native temperate rainforest and Special Area of Conservation; Glas-na-Bradan Wood, a developing native woodland undergoing planting by the public; and Belfast’s Botanic Gardens, an urban green space.

Varied on-site listening, field recording, ecoacoustic and compositional strategies were utilised to gather and express ecological and contextual information, amounting to what the author describes as an enmeshed ecoacoustic practice.<br><br>A key insight from this research is the integration of creative sound practice and ecoacoustics with Deep Ecology, providing an ethical and philosophical foundation for ecological thinking, and a means to challenge anthropocentric viewpoints through creative ecological work.