Habitat Restoration Restores Underwater Soundscapes and Larval Recruitment

Habitat degradation alters many ecosystem processes, and the potential for reestablishment of function through restoration is an area active research. Among marine systems, coastal habitats are particularly vulnerable to anthropogenic and, in response, focus ecological restoration. One crucial functions structurally complex (e.g., saltmarshes, seagrass meadows, kelp forests, coral reefs) as nurseries offshore species, whose larvae utilize sound locate suitable nursery habitat. However, effect habitat subsequent on underwater soundscapes their navigational cues unexplored. We investigated these phenomena sponge-dominated hardbottom waters surrounding middle Florida Keys (Florida, United States) that have been degraded recent decades by massive sponge die-offs caused harmful algal blooms. consequences dramatic changes sounds normally produced sponge-associated animals. tested whether from healthy influenced larval recruitment, then examined how with transplanted sponges affected recruitment fishes invertebrates. Larval assemblages recruiting areas were significantly different than those either or restored areas. Fewer recruited compared hardbottom, during full moon. Experimental playback sites did not promote community differences although some individual species responded soundscapes. These results indicate habitat-associated idiosyncratic effects settlement, which diminished but can be reestablished appropriate