Noise pollution is a pervasive factor that increasingly threatens natural resources and human health worldwide. In particular, large-scale changes in road networks have driven shifts in the acoustic environment of rural landscapes during the past few decades. Using sampling plots from the Spanish Landscape Monitoring System (SISPARES), 16 km² each, we modelled the spatio-temporal changes in road traffic noise pollution in Ecoregion 1 of Spain (approximately 66,000 km²). We selected a study period that was characterised by significant changes in the size of the road network and the vehicle fleet (i.e. between 1995 and 2014) and used standard and validated acoustic computation methods for environmental noise modelling (i.e. European Directive, 2002/49/EC) within sampling plots. We then applied a multiple linear regression to expand noise modelling throughout the whole of Ecoregion 1. Our results showed that the noise level increased by 1.7 dB(A) in average per decade in approximately 65% of the territory, decreased by 1.3 dB(A) per decade in about 33%, and remained unchanged in 2%. This suggests that road traffic noise pollution levels may not grow homogeneously in large geographical areas, maybe due to the concentration of large fast traffic flows on modern motorways connecting towns. Our research exemplifies how landscape monitoring systems such as cost-effective approaches may play an important role when assessing spatio-temporal patterns and the impact of anthropogenic noise pollution at large geographical scales, and even more so in a global context of constricted resources and limited availability of historical data on traffic and environmental noise monitoring.

Context: Romania is currently one of the best-connected landscapes, with high-quality habitats and a high density of brown bears. However, regional development measures are needed for the nation’s economic growth, and without responsible government actions, these measures pose a threat to brown bear connectivity, a vital pillar of the entire Carpathian region. Despite having important implications for the species conservation, bears sex-specific behaviour has been overlooked in connectivity assessments. Objectives: The study’s main goals were to (i) develop sex-specific distribution and connectivity models, (ii) assess the movement patterns differences between females and males, and (iii) identify high-quality areas to be secured for species connectivity conservation. Methods: We designed a methodological framework based on interdisciplinary approaches and modelling tools for landscape connectivity combined with novel spatial analysis. Telemetry data of sixteen bears (females and males) were utilized to predict habitat selection (MaxEnt), and circuit-theoretic approaches (Circuitscape) were applied to identify the potential movement corridors of both sexes and high-priority areas. Results: The obtained results provided new evidence on the uneven movement patterns and pathways used by males and females in the study region. Males’ movement preferences were related to river shores and dense forest coverage areas, avoiding urban areas, while females were predicted to move across forested and open areas and were more tolerant to human‐modified areas. Three high-quality areas were delineated for both sexes, and connectivity conservation efforts are needed due to the vicinity of anthropic pressures. Conclusions: This study depicts the usefulness of combining interdisciplinary approaches and provides planners, managers, and decision-makers with practical solutions to address sustainable design and management within the intervened landscapes. Using separate female and male spatial models for leading management and conservation measures, setting connectivity targets within environmental and impact assessments while adopting conservation easements could secure a safety network for biodiversity conservation in the Carpathians.