Sound recordings show that restored reefs in Indonesia now have a healthy, diverse soundscape, providing evidence that restoration works for the creatures who live among the coral. The sounds - many never recorded before - can be used alongside visual observations to monitor these vital ecosystems. "By listening to the reefs, we’ve documented the return of a diverse range of animals," says lead author Dr. Tim Lamont of the University of Exeter and the Mars Coral Reef Restoration Project. While the soundscapes of the restored reefs are not identical to those of existing healthy reefs, the diversity of sounds is similar. The project uses hexagonal metal frames called ‘Reef Stars’, which are seeded with coral and laid over a large area, to stabilize loose rubble and kickstart rapid coral growth, leading to the revival of the wider ecosystem.

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