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Quietness Suitability Index (QSI) and Natura 2000

Figure Created 11 Jul 2016 Published 11 Jul 2016 Last modified 20 Mar 2019
2 min read
The map shows the index of suitable quiet areas across Europe combined with the Natura2000 protected areas

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EEA standard re-use policy: unless otherwise indicated, re-use of content on the EEA website for commercial or non-commercial purposes is permitted free of charge, provided that the source is acknowledged (https://www.eea.europa.eu/legal/copyright). Copyright holder: European Environment Agency (EEA).
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European Environment Agency (EEA)
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Map

Additional information

Suitable distance layer from noise sources built following a fuzzy approach (*), calculating the 'membership' to the quietness range (0–1) by means of a linear relationship, considering the mean value obtained as no suitable (= 0) and maximum distance obtained as suitable (= 1). The distance values between not suitable (mean value) and suitable (maximum value) will be reassigned with a new value between 0 and 1 following a linear equation. The noise map has been combined with the Natura 2000 data for Europe.

 (*) The production of threshold distance layers around noise sources has been made following a fuzzy approach rather than obtaining a buffer with sharp limits. Membership to a 0-1 range has been obtained according to a linear function.

Full methodology: Good practice guide on quiet areas.Technical report No 4/2014
http://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/good-practice-guide-on-quiet-areas

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Publication Quiet areas in Europe — The environment unaffected by noise pollution Noise pollution is a major problem for Europe’s environment. Transport and industry are the main sources of concern and prolonged exposure can damage human health and adversely affect ecosystems. European legislation aims to reduce noise pollution and also highlights the need to preserve areas that are currently unaffected. These so called quiet areas are an important component of the European soundscape and may offer havens away from noise pollution. This report sets out to identify where these potential quiet areas might be and offers an insight into how they could benefit the human and wildlife populations that inhabit or benefit from the rural European soundscape that is currently unaffected by noise pollution.
Publication Good practice guide on quiet areas Noise pollution is a growing problem for Europe’s environment. Transport and industry are the main sources of concern and long term exposure can damage human health and adversely affect ecosystems. European legislation aims to reduce noise pollution and also highlights the need to preserve areas that are currently unaffected. These so called quiet areas may be found, not only in rural areas, but also inside our busiest cities. They are not only where people recreate, but also where they live and work, so how can they be identified and preserved in order to protect environmental health and well-being? This report offers a digest of actions from all across Europe to identify and protect environments with good acoustic quality.

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For references, please go to https://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/figures/quietness-suitability-index-qsi-and-1 or scan the QR code.

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Filed under: protected areas, noise
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