我是一位錄音師,過去20多年來我走遍台灣各地,深深著迷於這片土地多樣繽紛的大自然旋律。我曾經在陽明山夢幻湖進行多年的錄音,這裡是台灣非常重要的濕地,很多人來到這裡都知道這裡有一種瀕臨絕種的重要植物-台灣水韭,卻不知道這裡有一種台灣道地的原生種青蛙,並以台北為名的台北樹蛙。台北樹蛙,存在這裡的時間超過人類,這樣的聲音獨存在台灣,但是又有多少人認識這種青蛙呢?

其實大自然的聲音反應出特定的生態環境與特徵,台灣因為地理位置與環境的特色,不僅造就了自然地景的多樣面貌,甚至也有豐富的生命旋律,這些聲音有些是動物的聲音,有些是特殊地形所造就的環境聲響,其實都是道道地地台灣之聲,尤其在台灣中高海拔的環境,只要我們認真傾聽,你會很驚訝一片森林當中,居然就可以聽見半個北半球的聲音,全都聚集在這座島嶼上,牠們的聲音會在這裡相互匯流共鳴,顯示台灣這片土地是何等的精彩迷人,又充滿了融合包容的精神。

這幾年來我發現環境的聲音正在改變,甚至也在消失當中,但是大部分的人並沒有覺察。正因為他們根本不認識這些聲音。我在想,如果更多的人都能像我一樣能認識這些聲音,這些動物是不是能夠獲得更多的保護,並得以好好的生存在這片土地上呢?身為一位大自然的錄音師,我希望能透過這些自然的旋律,重新邀請大家打開自己的耳朵,重新去聆聽我們這片土地的聲音,透過了「台灣自然聲音地圖」的計畫,我們獲得了「Keepwalking夢想資助計畫」的補助,台灣聲景協會選出了五十個聆聽地點,並由幾位台灣田野的錄音師所採集的環境聲響。為了讓大家更清楚認識幕後聲音的主題,我們邀請專家協助鑑定物種,同時配上了相關照片與地點資料、以及物種個別的介紹,希望能夠推動更多自然聲景的在地保育,當然你也可以單純把這些聲音當作音樂來欣賞,甚至把這些聲音應用在教育的推廣工作上,只要能夠幫助環境永續的目標都是我們期待的成果(也請尊重著作權,所有資料引用都需要告知並註明出處),在這個網站當中,我們同時加入聆聽自然聲景的教學與案例分享,希望能幫助大家學習聆聽我們身邊的非人聲音,理解這些生命跟我們一樣,都是這片島嶼的住民,我們相信,當我們願意拓展自己的耳界,就能夠打開我們的心胸,去建構多元包容的聆聽素養,創造更永續美好的家園。

“Being a recordist who has traveled around Taiwan over the past 20 years, I am fascinated by the diversity of nature’s melodies in this land. I have been making sound recordings for many years at Menghuan Lake at Yangmingshan National Park, a very important wetland in Taiwan. Many people who visit this attraction know that there is an endangered plant called Isoetes taiwanensis, but they are unaware that there is a native species of frog known as Taipei tree frog, named after the city. The Taipei tree frog has existed here for longer than humans, and their sound is unique to Taiwan, but how many people have heard of this creature?

 

In fact, the sounds of nature reflect specific ecological conditions and characteristics. Taiwan’s geographical location and environmental characteristics have not only created a diverse natural landscape, but also a rich melody of life. Some of these sounds can be heard from animals, others are ambient sounds created by the special terrain, but they are all local Taiwanese sounds. Especially in the mid-to-high-altitude environment of Taiwan, if we listen carefully, you will be amazed that in a forest, you can hear the sounds of half of the northern hemisphere, all gathered on this island. Their sounds will converge and resonate here, demonstrating how wonderfully fascinating and inclusive the land of Taiwan is.

 

Over the years, I have noticed that the sounds of the environment are changing and even disappearing, but most people don’t realize it because they don’t even know the existence of these sounds. I wonder, if more people were as aware of these sounds as I am, would these animals be more protected and be able to live well on this land? As a nature recordist, I hope that through these natural melodies I can invite you to open your ears and listen to the sounds of our land again. Through the Taiwan Nature Sound Map project, we have received a grant from the Keepwalking Dream Grant program. The Soundscape Association of Taiwan has chosen fifty locations to listen to the ambient sound captured by several Taiwanese field recordists. To provide a clearer understanding of the themes behind the sounds, we have brought in experts to help identify the species, together with photographs and site information, as well as species-specific introductions, in the hope of promoting more local conservation of natural soundscapes. Of course, you can also enjoy these sounds simply as music, or even use them in educational outreach, as long as they contribute to the goal of environmental sustainability (and please respect copyright, all quotations must be acknowledged and attributed). On this website, we have also added teaching and case studies on natural soundscapes to help you learn to listen to the non-human sounds around us and understand that these living creatures are as much a part of this island as we are. We believe that when people are willing to expand their ears, they can open their hearts and minds to build a diverse and inclusive listening culture and create a more sustainable and beautiful home.