{
  "id": 10488451,
  "title": "Forest landscapes and birdsong soundscapes have independent physical health benefits",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/forest-landscapes-and-birdsong-soundscapes-have-independent-physical",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-28T16:40:07.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Medical Xpress",
    "slug": "medical-xpress",
    "url": "https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-09-forest-landscapes-birdsong-soundscapes-independent.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A new study published in Frontiers in Bird Science reveals that exposure to birdsong soundscapes and forest landscapes independently offer physical health benefits, reducing physiological stress. The research, led by North Carolina State University, utilized heart-rate monitors to assess the impact of different environments on participants' stress levels. The study found that spending time in a forest reduced heart rate, indicating less stress compared to an urban setting. Similarly, listening to birdsong increased heart rate variability in the presence of traffic noise, suggesting that birdsong has a stress-reducing effect even when noise pollution is present. Trent Ford, the lead author and undergraduate researcher at NC State, noted that these findings show urban planners have more options to enhance wellness. Creating spaces that prioritize forested landscapes with predominant birdsong is ideal, but even with limited green space, designing stress-reducing landscapes with traffic-calming measures that shift the soundscape away from traffic and towards birdsong could be beneficial. When direct abatement of traffic noise is challenging, additional tree cover alone may provide stress relief. The study's findings suggest that either forest cover or birdsong can independently reduce physiological stress in college students, offering valuable insights for urban planning.",
  "summary": "A new study finds that exposure to birdsong soundscapes or forest landscapes reduces physiological stress. These findings of physical health effects complement previous research showing mental health benefits associated with birdwatching and could be useful for urban planners with limited green space options.",
  "key_points": [
    "Exposure to birdsong soundscapes reduces physiological stress.",
    "Forest landscapes independently offer physical health benefits.",
    "Urban planners can enhance wellness with forested landscapes and birdsong."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}