Coral reefs are complex ecosystems facing increasing anthropogenic and environmental stressors. The Reef Song experiment tested two novel restoration strategies: playing ‘healthy reef’ sounds to attract fish and corals and stocking fish species that closely associate with live corals. Conducted over three years at two locations, we monitored fish assemblages and analyzed responses using a functional diversity trait approach.
While thriving reefs likely exhibit high functional redundancy, habitat degradation affects fish assemblages unevenly, creating ‘winners’ and ‘losers.’ Conducting experiments in real-world conditions posed challenges, particularly when comparing responses at a relatively healthy experimental site versus one severely impacted by coral bleaching. These locations allowed us to assess fish assemblage responses under different environmental stress levels.
This study provides insights into how functional diversity shifts with restoration efforts and the consequences of declining fish species diversity. Our findings highlight the potential for soundscapes and fish stocking to influence reef recovery. By understanding functional responses to restoration, we can refine strategies to maximize their benefits. These lessons can inform scalable interventions to enhance coral reef resilience amid ongoing environmental change.