A new study finds that playing sounds of healthy reefs can attract coral larvae, offering hope for restoration.
Credits: Dan Mele/Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, the once vibrant underwater cities, are in critical condition. Thanks to overfishing, pollution, and the relentless effects of climate change have caused massive decline, leaving researchers scrambling for solutions that can help regenerate these. However, a new study offers a glimmer of hope, suggesting that the sounds of healthy coral reefs could become a powerful tool for restoration.
WHOI biologists Nadège Aoki and Aran Mooney installed an underwater speaker system to broadcast healthy reef sounds, off the coast of the U.S Virgin Islands. “We’re showing that you can actively induce coral settlement by playing sounds,” says Nadège Aoki, co-author of the study and a doctoral candidate at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution . “This could be a game-changer for restoration efforts.”
While the study’s findings are promising, researchers are cautious. Determining if other coral species react similarly to acoustic cues and whether the settled corals thrive in the long term is crucial. Replicating these soundscapes could be a relatively simple and effective addition to current restoration strategies.
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