Excess noise and light challenge the ecological integrity of the natural environment, along with our enjoyment of the natural world. Although a substantive body of scientific and professional literature on quiet and darkness in national parks and related areas has developed over the past two decades, such work has been widely scattered over academic and professional journals in several environmental fields.

This anthology brings together both new and previously published work on the topic. An introduction outlines the evolution of current thought about what constitutes national park resources and suggests a series of conceptual frameworks to inform management of natural quiet and natural darkness. Individual chapters address the biological, ecological, and experiential components of both of these valuable resources. A final chapter develops a series of principles or best practices for studying, managing, and protecting natural quiet and natural darkness in the national parks and related reserves.