Speaker
Description
Coral reefs are increasingly threatened by climate change and human pressures, highlighting the need for effective monitoring tools. This study assesses whether underwater soundscape features reflect ecological conditions in a lagoon reef (Magoodhoo, Maldives) using Passive Acoustic Monitoring at a control site (coral rubble) and a treated site with a restoration structure; acoustic metrics (PSD, L5, L95) and ecoacoustic indices (ACI, ADI, DSC) were analyzed and compared across sites. The results show greater acoustic variability and more transient events (higher L5, ADI, DSC) at the treated site, while the control site exhibited more stable background noise (higher L95) and an overall similar ACI. These patterns align with ecological differences, indicating higher structural complexity and biological activity at the treated site, and more stable, less dynamic conditions at the rubble-dominated control site.