Study on the correlation between soundscape perception and pro-environmental behaviors in Grand Canal National Cultural Park based on the expert perspective

This study investigates the relationship between soundscape perception and pro-environmental behaviors within the Grand Canal National Cultural Park. The research was conducted across four parks in China's Tongzhou Canal National Cultural Tourism Zone, employing field measurements, questionnaires, and audio-visual experiments. Four distinct soundscape types were identified: natural soundscapes, artificial soundscapes, mechanical soundscapes, and canal cultural soundscapes. Expert-led structural equation modeling (SEM) was utilized to examine correlations between soundscape perception and protective behaviors, with the objective of enhancing soundscape quality to promote public protective behaviors toward the Grand Canal National Cultural Park.The results reveal significant findings: Natural and canal cultural soundscapes positively influence both environmentally responsible behaviors and heritage conservation behaviors. Artificial soundscapes demonstrate a positive impact exclusively on heritage conservation behaviors, while mechanical soundscapes exhibit no significant effect on either protective behavior. Furthermore, place attachment mediates the relationship between soundscape perception and pro-environmental behaviors, strengthening their connection.Based on these findings and integrated with soundscape ecology theory, a tripartite model linking soundscape perception, place attachment, and protective behaviors was constructed. This research advances the multidisciplinary field of multisensory landscapes by providing empirical evidence for soundscape-behavior interactions. It underscores the critical need to incorporate soundscape considerations in canal park planning to foster sustainable environmental stewardship.