This article introduces the concept of soundscape ecology, a field that focuses on the ecological characteristics and spatial-temporal patterns of sounds in landscapes. The authors argue that soundscape ecology shares many parallels with landscape ecology and should be considered a branch of this growing field. They propose a research agenda for soundscape ecology, encompassing six areas: measurement and analytical challenges, spatial-temporal dynamics, soundscape linkage to environmental covariates, human impacts on the soundscape, soundscape impacts on humans, and soundscape impacts on ecosystems. The article also presents case studies illustrating different approaches to understanding soundscape dynamics and emphasizes the need to protect natural soundscapes due to their importance in connecting people with nature. The authors highlight the potential of new technologies and interdisciplinary research to advance the field of soundscape ecology and its applications in natural resource management and conservation.This article introduces the concept of soundscape ecology, a field that focuses on the ecological characteristics and spatial-temporal patterns of sounds in landscapes. The authors argue that soundscape ecology shares many parallels with landscape ecology and should be considered a branch of this growing field. They propose a research agenda for soundscape ecology, encompassing six areas: measurement and analytical challenges, spatial-temporal dynamics, soundscape linkage to environmental covariates, human impacts on the soundscape, soundscape impacts on humans, and soundscape impacts on ecosystems. The article also presents case studies illustrating different approaches to understanding soundscape dynamics and emphasizes the need to protect natural soundscapes due to their importance in connecting people with nature. The authors highlight the potential of new technologies and interdisciplinary research to advance the field of soundscape ecology and its applications in natural resource management and conservation.