Newly discovered fish songs demonstrate reef restoration success

Date:
December 8, 2021
Source:
University of Exeter
Summary:
Whoops, croaks, growls, raspberries and foghorns are among the
sounds that demonstrate the success of a coral reef restoration
project.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== Whoops, croaks, growls, raspberries and foghorns are among the sounds
that demonstrate the success of a coral reef restoration project.


========================================================================== Thousands of square metres of coral are being grown on previously
destroyed reefs in Indonesia, but previously it was unclear whether
these new corals would revive the entire reef ecosystem.

Now a new study, led by researchers from the University of Exeter and
the University of Bristol, finds a heathy, diverse soundscape on the
restored reefs.

These sounds -- many of which have never been recorded before -- can be
used alongside visual observations to monitor these vital ecosystems.

"Restoration projects can be successful at growing coral, but that's
only part of the ecosystem," said lead author Dr Tim Lamont, of the
University of Exeter and the Mars Coral Reef Restoration Project, which
is restoring the reefs in central Indonesia.

"This study provides exciting evidence that restoration really works
for the other reef creatures too -- by listening to the reefs, we've
documented the return of a diverse range of animals." Professor Steve
Simpson, from the University of Bristol, added: "Some of the sounds we
recorded are really bizarre, and new to us as scientists.



==========================================================================
"We have a lot still to learn about what they all mean and the animals
that are making them. But for now, it's amazing to be able to hear the ecosystem come back to life." The soundscapes of the restored reefs are
not identical to those of existing healthy reefs -- but the diversity
of sounds is similar, suggesting a healthy and functioning ecosystem.

There were significantly more fish sounds recorded on both healthy and
restored reefs than on degraded reefs.

This study used acoustic recordings taken in 2018 and 2019 as part of
the monitoring programme for the Mars Coral Reef Restoration Project.

The results are positive for the project's approach, in which hexagonal
metal frames called 'Reef Stars' are seeded with coral and laid over a
large area.

The Reef Stars stabilise loose rubble and kickstart rapid coral growth,
leading to the revival of the wider ecosystem.



========================================================================== Mochyudho Prasetya, of the Mars Coral Reef Restoration Project, said:
"We have been restoring and monitoring these reefs here in Indonesia for
many years. Now it is amazing to see more and more evidence that our work
is helping the reefs come back to life." Professor David Smith, Chief
Marine Scientist for Mars Incorporated, added: "When the soundscape comes
back like this, the reef has a better chance of becoming self-sustaining because those sounds attract more animals that maintain and diversify
reef populations." Asked about the multiple threats facing coral reefs, including climate change and water pollution, Dr Lamont said: "If we
don't address these wider problems, conditions for reefs will get more
and more hostile, and eventually restoration will become impossible.

"Our study shows that reef restoration can really work, but it's only
part of a solution that must also include rapid action on climate change
and other threats to reefs worldwide." The study was partly funded by
the Natural Environment Research Council and the Swiss National Science Foundation.

========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by University_of_Exeter. Note: Content
may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Timothy A. C. Lamont, Ben Williams, Lucille Chapuis, Mochyudho E.

Prasetya, Marie J. Seraphim, Harry R. Harding, Eleanor B. May,
Noel Janetski, Jamaluddin Jompa, David J. Smith, Andrew N. Radford,
Stephen D.

Simpson. The sound of recovery: Coral reef restoration success is
detectable in the soundscape. Journal of Applied Ecology, 2021;
DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.14089 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211208090105.htm

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