Williams, B., Lamont, T. A. C., Chapuis, L., Harding, H. R., May, E. B., Prasetya, M. E., Seraphim, M. J., Jompa, J., Smith, D. J., Janetski, N., Radford, A. N., & Simpson, S. D. (2022, May 20). Enhancing automated analysis of marine soundscapes using ecoacoustic indices and machine learning. Ecological Indicators. Retrieved July 14, 2022, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X22004575?via%3Dihub

Using new technologies such as the hydrophone, scientists have discovered new ways to assess the health of coral reefs. Located on islands surrounding central Indonesia, scientists created a computer program that listens to the coral and reports back what sounds it hears. The AI collects information on the sound frequencies and volume. Healthy coral attracts animals and supports ecosystems with various creatures living on the reef, therefore complex and cackling-like sounds indicate a healthy coral. However, desolate and quiet sounds reveal that the coral is unhealthy. This information is used to help conservation efforts, as well as to track the progress of projects to rebuild coral. 

 

The AI system has a lot of potential in advancing efforts to rebuild and conserve coral reefs, which is important to focus on as day by day they get closer to extinction. With the damage from carbon gas emissions, oceans are warming quickly, and its acidity is rising as well. Coral reefs are being damaged from the ocean’s threatened health. However, with this new technology, scientists and environmental activists are able to easily locate where damaged coral reefs are, and begin working at a solution. I think with this new AI, coral reefs have more potential of staying healthy and helping to maintain the rest of the ocean and its ecosystems.