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GeoPlanning 
Journal of Geomatics and Planning                                                                                                                  Vol. 10, No. 2, 2023 
 

Planning Perspective   

Sonic Justice and Tree Equity: Exploring 

Spatial Correlations between Aviation-Related 

Noise, Demographics, and Tree Canopy 

Mayra I. Rodriguez-González1,2*, Kevin G. Torres-Garrido3 

1. Hartford County Extension Center, University of Connecticut, Farmington, Connecticut, USA 

2. Research on Resilient Cities, Racism and Equity, University of Connecticut in Hartford, 

Hartford, Connecticut, USA 

3. Independent Researcher, former fellow of the Secretaría de Educación Superior, Ciencia, 

Tecnología e Innovación, Quito, Ecuador 

DOI: 10.14710/geoplanning.10.2.179-184 

Abstract 

The intricate relationship between aviation-related noise pollution, demographic factors, and tree canopy cover can hold 

significant implications for targeted interventions promoting environmental equity, sonic justice, and sustainable urban 

development. This study offers a geospatial exploration of these interconnections within the continental United States by 

employing National Transportation Noise Pollution data from the United States Department of Transportation alongside 

tree canopy cover from the United States Geological Survey’s National Land Cover Database and demographic data from 

the American Community Survey in a correlation analysis. Our analysis reveals stark disparities in noise exposure levels, 

notably underscoring that low-income and predominantly Hispanic neighborhood shoulder a disproportionate burden of 

aviation-related noise. Moreover, a correlation between aviation-related noise pollution and low tree canopy cover suggests 

a potential avenue for utilizing nature as a buffer against heightened noise levels. However, recognizing the delicate 

equilibrium between fostering a thriving tree canopy and ensuring aviation safety highlights a need for innovative urban 

planning solutions capable of simultaneously addressing sonic injustice and tree inequity. 

Copyright © 2023 GJGP-Undip 

This open access article is distributed under a  

Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY-NC-SA) 4.0 International license 

1. Introduction 

Aviation-related noise pollution is a concerning issue. The sound of jet engines and of aircraft taking off 

and landing can cause elevated noise levels that disturb wildlife habitats and ecosystems (Alquezar & Macedo, 

2019). However, the impacts of excessive aviation-related noise are not just felt by local ecosystems. Nearby 

human communities can also suffer from detrimental health impacts due to heightened exposure (Basner et al., 

2017). The impacts of noise pollution on human health have been extensively documented. Individuals living 

near airports can suffer from disturbed sleep patterns, heightened stress levels, impaired cognitive function, and 

increased risks of cardiovascular disease and elevated blood pressure (Basner et al., 2017; Kaltenbach et al., 2008). 

Disadvantaged communities, such as those mostly comprised by racial and ethnic minority groups and low-

income residents, experience a disproportionate share of noise-exposure impacts, which can be exacerbated by 

challenges in healthcare access and housing mobility (Collins et al., 2020; Penman-Aguilar, 2016). 

In the United States, health inequity is tied to race, ethnicity and income, among other variables. 

Discriminatory policies and limited financial opportunity relate to high rates of chronic diseases and low life 

expectancy among historically marginalized populations (Penman-Aguilar, 2016). However, nature can play an 

important role in reducing these health issues, and, thus, increasing the quality of life of disadvantaged 

communities. 

e-ISSN: 2355-6544 
 
Received: 01 November 2023; 
Accepted: 28 December 2023; 
Published: 29 December 2023. 
 
Keywords:  
Noise Pollution, Sonic Justice,  
Tree Equity, Spatial Correlation 
 
*Corresponding author(s)  
email: rodriguezgmayrai@gmail.com  
 
 
 

 

https://doi.org/10.14710/geoplanning.10.2.179-184
mailto:rodriguezgmayrai@gmail.com


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DOI: 10.14710/geoplanning.10.2.179-184 

180 

Nature, with its numerous benefits, plays a vital role in promoting positive mental and physical health by 

acting as a buffer against noise (Ow & Ghosh, 2017). Trees can play a crucial role in reducing noise pollution 

through their dense foliage, including leaves, branches and trunks, which act as natural barriers that absorb and 

deflect sound waves. However, the distribution of trees is often unequal, a phenomenon known as tree inequity, 

leading to disparities in tree canopy cover, especially in urban areas (Riley & Gardiner, 2020). This inequality 

disproportionately affects low-income neighborhoods and communities of color, exacerbating environmental 

disparities and potentially leaving residents in these areas more susceptible to the adverse effects of noise 

pollution (Riley & Gardiner, 2020). Consequently, urban greening not only promotes overall urban well-being 

but also addresses sonic injustice (i.e., the disproportionate exposure of disadvantaged communities, such as low-

income residents and racial and ethnic minorities) to noise pollution (Collins et al., 2020). 

While studies have established that socioeconomically vulnerable groups face heightened exposure to 

noise pollution, further research is necessary to comprehensively understand the specific contributions of various 

noise sources, such as aviation-related noise, to these disparities (Collins et al., 2020; Trudeau et al., 2023). 

Additionally, if considering trees as a nature-based solution to combat noise, it is essential to grasp the 

interconnected dynamics between tree canopy cover, distinct noise sources, and demographic factors including 

income, race, and ethnicity. 

To our knowledge, no study has assessed the combined relationship between aviation-related noise, tree 

canopy cover, and population demographics. Thus, this study aims to assess the spatial correlation between 

aviation-related noise pollution, tree canopy cover, income, race and ethnicity to gain a better understanding of 

the relationships between these variables altogether. Through a spatial analysis, we answered the following 

question: Is there a significant correlation between aviation-related noise pollution, tree canopy cover, and the 

income, race and ethnicity of residents living near airports? We hypothesized a positive significant relationship 

between high aviation-related noise pollution, low tree canopy cover, and high percentages of low-income 

residents and racial and ethnic minorities. 

2. Data and Methods 

This study accounts for all areas within the continental United States that have documented aviation-

related noise pollution. Using ArcGIS Pro (Esri, 2023), we performed zone-based summary statistics to estimate 

mean exposure to aviation-related noise pollution (in decibels) by census block group, the smallest census 

denomination for the United States. Isolated values of aviation-related noise pollution were downloaded from 

the Department of Transportation’s National Transportation Noise Pollution public database (United States 

Department of Transportation – Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2022) (refer to Table 1 for data details).  

Table 1. Data Inputs and Sources. 

Description Data Type Year Origin Download Source 

National Transportation Noise 

Pollution (aviation-related noise only) 

Raster 2020 Department of Transportation United States Department of 

Transportation – Bureau of 

Transportation Statistics, 

2022 

National Land Cover Database Tree 

Canopy Cover 

Raster 2020 United States Forest Service United States Geological 

Survey, 2023 

Demographic variables (median 

household income, population by race, 

and population with Hispanic origin) 

Tabular 2017-

2021 

American Community Survey 

5-Year Data Release 

Manson et al., 2023a 

Census Block Groups Polygon 

(Shapefile) 

2020 United States Census Bureau Manson et al., 2023b 

 

https://doi.org/10.14710/geoplanning.10.2.179-184
https://www.bts.gov/geospatial/national-transportation-noise-map
https://www.bts.gov/geospatial/national-transportation-noise-map
https://www.bts.gov/geospatial/national-transportation-noise-map
https://www.bts.gov/geospatial/national-transportation-noise-map
https://www.mrlc.gov/data/type/tree-canopy
https://www.mrlc.gov/data/type/tree-canopy
http://doi.org/10.18128/D050.V18.0
http://doi.org/10.18128/D050.V18.0


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A boundary layer for census block groups was downloaded from the open-data website IPUMS National 

Historical Geographic Information System (Manson et al., 2023a). In ArcGIS Pro, we also performed zone-based 

summary statistics of tree canopy cover to determine percent per census block group (United States Geological 

Survey, 2023). Mean aviation-related noise pollution and percent tree canopy were imported along with three 

demographic variables from the United States American Community Survey (2017-2021), median household 

income, percent of individuals not white, and percent of Hispanic or Latine individuals (Manson et al., 2023b), 

into the R statistical language (R Core Team, 2021) to perform a Pearson correlation test between all variables. 

Demographic data was preprocessed using Microsoft Excel (Microsoft Corporation, 2023). A detailed workflow 

diagram of our methodology is provided in Figure 1. Data inputs are listed in Table 1. 

 
    Source: Adapted from Esri, 2023 

Figure 1. Processing and Analytical Workflow 

3. Result and Discussion 

3.1. Sonic Justice 

The analysis of aviation-related noise pollution in relation to the demographic variables (median household 

income, percent not white, and percent Hispanic or Latine) revealed that lower-income neighborhoods exhibit 

higher levels of exposure in noise-polluted areas  (Figure 3). Furthermore, despite there being an apparent 

negative correlation between high levels of aviation-related noise pollution and high percentages of non-white 

residents, we observed that aviation-related noise pollution also correlates positively with the percent of Hispanic 

residents (Figure 3). 

The analysis of aviation-related noise pollution in relation to tree canopy revealed a significant negative 

correlation between the two (Figure 2 and 3). Areas with reduced tree canopy cover experience higher aviation-

related noise pollution levels. Greater percentages of Hispanics correlated with both lower income and less tree 

canopy access (Figure 3). Thus, lower-income Hispanics are particularly exposed to greater levels of aviation-

related noise while simultaneously lacking access to tree canopy cover. 

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182 

 
(a) 

 
(b) 

Source: National Atlas of the United States, 2014; United States Department of Transportation – Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2022; United 

States Geological Survey, 2023 

Figure 2. (a) Aviation-related Noise Pollution, and (b) Tree Canopy Cover in relation to Airports  

(for reference purposes)  

 

Figure 3. Variable distributions (on the diagonal), bivariate plots with fitted lines (below the diagonal), and 
correlation values with significance levels represented by asterisks (above the diagonal) for percent tree canopy 

(“canopy”), mean aviation-related noise pollution (“noise”), median household income (“income”), percent of 
residents not white (“not white”), and percent of residents who identify as Hispanic or Latine (“Hispanic”). 

3.2. Discussion 

Our study provided valuable insights into the relationships between aviation-related noise pollution, 

demographic factors, and tree canopy cover across the continental United States at the census block-group level. 

The analysis revealed the existence of disparities, as block groups that are predominantly low-income and 

Hispanic disproportionately bear the greatest burden of aviation-related noise pollution while exhibiting low 

https://doi.org/10.14710/geoplanning.10.2.179-184
https://purl.stanford.edu/hh676zz3630
https://www.bts.gov/geospatial/national-transportation-noise-map


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tree canopy access. This is consistent with other studies, which have documented the association of 

disadvantaged communities with greater noise exposure and with low tree canopy access, separately (Collins et 

al., 2020; Riley & Gardiner, 2020; Trudeau et al., 2023). Although confounding variables are expected, our 

findings underscore the critical need to understand how intersecting marginalized identities experience multiple 

environmental challenges simultaneously and unevenly (in this case, being of Hispanic origin and having a lower 

income level and experiencing both high exposure to aviation-related noise pollution and low tree canopy access.  

The analysis of aviation-related noise pollution in relation to tree canopy revealed a significant negative 

correlation between the two, suggesting that tree canopy cover could be used as a mitigation strategy. Other 

studies have extensively documented the role that trees play in reducing noise pollution (Ow & Ghosh, 2017), 

even demonstrating how nature can reduce airport noise while promoting many ecosystem services (Korol et al., 

2018). Despite the contributions of nature in buffering against noise, the presence of a tall and dense tree canopy 

also poses a concern to aviation safety due to reduced visibility for pilots and increased bird habitat that could 

lead to a greater chance of bird strikes (Metz et al., 2020; Mobini & Sabzehparvar, 2022). This juxtaposition 

highlights a need for establishing best practices that promote vegetation growth without compromising aviation 

safety. Knowing best practices for aviation safety standards in this context could support the use of nature-based 

solutions in mitigating aviation-related noise pollution. 

Our findings suggest that there is a potential for urban forestry interventions to address both noise 

pollution and tree canopy disparities simultaneously through strategic tree plantings. However, the delicate 

balance between promoting tree canopy cover and ensuring aviation safety cannot be overlooked. While tall 

trees contribute positively to noise reduction and overall environmental well-being (Korol et al., 2018; Ow & 

Ghosh, 2017), they introduce risks for pilots during takeoff and landing (Metz et al., 2020; Mobini & 

Sabzehparvar, 2022). This translates into a challenge for urban planning that requires further research to explore 

the application of strategic tree placement and species selection near airports to find a balance between an 

abundant and equitable tree canopy and aviation safety. 

4. Conclusion 

The goal of our study was to provide key insights into the intricate connections between aviation-related 

noise pollution, demographic factors, and tree canopy cover to guide interventions for environmental equity, 

sonic justice, and sustainable urban development. Our analysis highlighted a disproportionate impact on socio-

economically vulnerable populations, particularly those of Hispanic origin and with lower income levels. It 

emphasized the need for nature-centric mitigation strategies, especially in block groups with low income or 

predominantly Hispanic populations experiencing excessive noise pollution. However, the correlation between 

higher noise exposure and lower tree canopy also indicated the potential role of nature as a mitigation strategy, 

prompting further research to identify the delicate balance between promoting sonic justice and ensuring 

aviation safety.  

Based on the key insight of this study, we suggest exploring any of the following as means to better 

capturing the intricate connections between aviation-related noise pollution, demographic factors, and tree 

canopy cover: (1) Identifying tree species and placement patterns ideal for optimizing tree canopy cover for noise 

reduction without increasing aviation hazards; (2) Applying temporal analyses to observe the relationship 

between aviation-related noise pollution, demographic dynamics, and tree canopy cover over time; (3) Assessing 

mental and physical health impacts from aviation-related noise exposure and tree canopy access for a more 

holistic understanding of tradeoffs; (4) Assessing the perspectives of residents affected by aviation-related noise 

to inform community-driven solutions that promote sonic justice and tree equity simultaneously; (5) By 

exploring these avenues of research, future studies could lead to a comprehensive understanding of the intricate 

relationships between aviation-related noise, demographics, and tree canopy, guiding the development of 

effective strategies that balance environmental, social, and safety considerations for sustainable urban 

development. 

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5. Acknowledgment  

All data sources and software used, with exception of ArcGIS Pro and Microsoft Excel, are open source 

and publicly accessible. Access to ArcGIS Pro and Microsoft Excel was obtained through institutional affiliation 

of the authors. 

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