Multiscale spatio-temporal patterns of boat noise on US Virgin Island coral reefs

MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN

卷:136

Article

Dinh, Jason P.¹  Suca, Justin J.^2,3  Lillis, Ashlee²  Apprill, Amy⁴  Llopiz, Joel K.²  Mooney, T. Aran² 

[1] Duke Univ, Dept Biol, Durham, NC 27706 USA

[2] Woods Hole Oceanog Inst, Dept Biol, Woods Hole, MA 02543 USA

[3] MIT, MIT WHOI Joint Program Oceanog, 77 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139 USA

[4] Woods Hole Oceanog Inst, Dept Marine Chem & Geochem, Woods Hole, MA 02543 USA

关键词: Bioacoustics;    Noise pollution;    Soundscapes;    Ecoacoustics;    Coral reefs;   

DOI  :  10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.09.009

来源: Elsevier

【 摘 要 】

Sound-sensitive organisms are abundant on coral reefs. Accordingly, experiments suggest that boat noise could elicit adverse effects on coral reef organisms. Yet, there are few data quantifying boat noise prevalence on coral reefs. We use long-term passive acoustic recordings at nine coral reefs and one sandy comparison site in a marine protected area to quantify spatio-temporal variation in boat noise and its effect on the soundscape. Boat noise was most common at reefs with high coral cover and fish density, and temporal patterns reflected patterns of human activity. Boat noise significantly increased low-frequency sound levels at the monitored sites. With boat noise present, the peak frequencies of the natural soundscape shifted from higher frequencies to the lower frequencies frequently used in fish communication. Taken together, the spectral overlap between boat noise and fish communication and the elevated boat detections on reefs with biological densities raises concern for coral reef organisms.

【 授权许可】

Free