Soundscapes of Urkiola: Sounds in natural parks of bizkaia

One of the leading natural values of the Urkiola Natural Park in Bizkaia is the landscape, traditionally understood just as the visual dimension. The Environment Department of the Bizkaia Regional Government, considered that the review process of the Master Plan for Use and Management of the natural park was a good opportunity to integrate the sound dimension in the concept of landscape. In this way, sounds will became part of the natural heritage of the natural park. The aim is that the soundscapes of the park contribute to a greater enjoyment of it by visitors and, in turn, generate the conditions for the enhancement of biodiversity through the creation of spaces without noise pollution. This paper shows the result of soundscape assessment conducted at approximately 20 valuation points that have interest in Urkiola Park. It is developed a GIS tool to facilitate the management of the information and the decision making process. The tool gives support for data consultation and for its updating.