We Must Learn to Listen: Acoustic Changes Impact Coral Reef Fish

摘要

Climate change, exacerbated by anthropogenic influences, has resulted in extensive damage to our biosphere's tropical reefs. The intensification of cyclones and mass bleaching in recent years is of concern to scientists as recovery rates of these mesmerising ecosystems are determined by reef resilience. Healthy populations of reef fish enable the recovery from such occurrences. The settlement stage of juvenile fish is influenced by acoustic cues that facilitate habitat selection and thus determines recovery rates of reef fish from disturbance. These activities, however, may be compromised if sound-scapes are affected by degradation. A recent study suggests that it is, therefore, vital to monitor and listen to reef sound to evade further deterioration of our coral reefs.