Soundscape preferences at Mount Kilimanjaro reveal differing perceptions of non-material nature's contributions between residents and tourists

Soundscape preferences at Mount Kilimanjaro reveal differing perceptions of non-material nature's contributions between residents and tourists | Authorea try { document.documentElement.classList.add('js'); } catch (e) { } var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'G-8VDV14Y67G']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); Skip to main content Preprints Collections Wiley Open Research IET Open Research Ecological Society of Japan All Collections About About Authorea FAQs Contact Us Quick Search anywhere Search for preprint articles, keywords, etc. Search Search ADVANCED SEARCH SCROLL This is a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. Data may be preliminary. 2 December 2025 V1 Latest version Share on Soundscape preferences at Mount Kilimanjaro reveal differing perceptions of non-material nature's contributions between residents and tourists Authors : M. Eugenia Degano 0009-0009-9748-8586 [email protected] , Katrin Böhning-Gaese , Hamadi Iddi Dulle , Milena Gross , Claudia Hemp , Neema Robert Kinabo , Lisa Lehnen , Berta Martín-López , Thomas Mueller , and Ugo Arbieu Authors Info & Affiliations https://doi.org/10.22541/au.176463640.08797544/v1 172 views 196 downloads Contents Abstract Supplementary Material Information & Authors Metrics & Citations View Options References Figures Tables Media Share Abstract Soundscapes allow people to experience nature and associated non-material Nature's Contributions to People (NCP), such as restorative or aesthetic experiences. However, little research has investigated the relationship between specific acoustic characteristics and perceived non-material NCP, and whether these associations differ between social groups. To this end, we assessed the preferences of residents and tourists for soundscapes at Mount Kilimanjaro (Tanzania), representing seven acoustically distinct habitats at both dawn and dusk times of the day. Specifically, we examined how both groups related eleven context-specific non-material NCP to their preferred soundscapes. To identify factors, including seven acoustic indices as measures of acoustic characteristics, associated with NCP selection, we applied generalized linear mixed models. Overall, dawn soundscapes were preferred over dusk, likely due to the dominance and variability of bird vocalizations compared to the louder, insect driven dusk soundscapes. However, preferred soundscapes originated from different habitats; for example, subalpine habitats were favored by tourists but strongly disliked by residents. The acoustic characteristics of preferred soundscapes differed between residents and tourists, and so did the associated non-material NCP, potentially reflecting residents' cultural ties to the region (e.g., cultural heritage) and tourists' demands for natural areas (e.g., therapeutic experiences). Seven non-material NCP were correlated with specific acoustic indices, demonstrating how these indices can serve as valuable tools for identifying both culturally and ecologically important areas for conservation. Importantly, we show that perceptions of NCP, together with soundscape preferences, differ with socio-cultural background, highlighting the importance of integrating diverse preferences into conservation and landscape management approaches. Supplementary Material File (degano_etal_kili_soundscapes_preferences_nonmaterialncp.pdf) Download 2.14 MB Information & Authors Information Version history V1 Version 1 02 December 2025 Copyright This work is licensed under a Non Exclusive No Reuse License. Keywords acoustic indices mountain ecosystems non-material nature's contributions to people (ncp) people-nature interactions social preferences soundscapes Authors Affiliations M. Eugenia Degano 0009-0009-9748-8586 [email protected] Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Center (SBiK-F), Department of Biological Sciences, Goethe University View all articles by this author Katrin Böhning-Gaese Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research -UFZ View all articles by this author Hamadi Iddi Dulle College of African Wildlife Management, Mweka View all articles by this author Milena Gross Social-Ecological System Institute, School of Sustainability, Leuphana University View all articles by this author Claudia Hemp Department of Plant Systematics, University of Bayreuth View all articles by this author Neema Robert Kinabo Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (SBiK-F) Department of Biological Sciences, Goethe University College of African Wildlife Management View all articles by this author Lisa Lehnen Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (SBiK-F) View all articles by this author Berta Martín-López Social-Ecological System Institute, School of Sustainability, Leuphana University View all articles by this author Thomas Mueller Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (SBiK-F) Department of Biological Sciences, Goethe University Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, Front Royal View all articles by this author Ugo Arbieu Laboratoire Écologie, Société et Évolution, Université Paris-Saclay View all articles by this author Funding Information Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft MU 3704/2-1 Thomas Mueller Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 172 views 196 downloads .FvxKWukQNSOunydq8rnd { width: 100px; } Citations Download citation M. Eugenia Degano, Katrin Böhning-Gaese, Hamadi Iddi Dulle, et al. Soundscape preferences at Mount Kilimanjaro reveal differing perceptions of non-material nature's contributions between residents and tourists. Authorea . 02 December 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22541/au.176463640.08797544/v1 If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download. For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu . 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