In situ enhancement of coral larval settlement using acoustic enrichment, engineered habitats and living materials.

Coral larval settlement density is significantly predicted by the presence of living bacteria reef ink, structure type, and proximity to acoustic enrichment within 20 meters in Kāne'ohe Bay.

• Why it matters: Degradation of reef ecosystems calls for effective in-situ restoration methods; understanding factors influencing larval settlement can improve reef recovery strategies.
• What they did: Nineteen artificial structures and micro-habitats with living bacteria ink were deployed at various distances from an underwater reef sound source, and statistical regressions analyzed their effects on settlement over two weeks.
• The result: Findings suggest that Brink presence, structure type, and proximity to the sound source are key factors, supporting further scaled-up trials of combined acoustic, biological, and habitat interventions for reef restoration.