Uploaded August 2025 | Updated September 2026, 9 hours ago
Shahir Ramndit
Abstract Title: Exploring Coral Reef Soundscape Dynamics: Acoustic Indices as Potential Biodiversity Assessment Tools in Sodwana Bay
Co-Authors: Dr Anna Che Bastian; Dr David Glassom
Author affiliations: University of KwaZulu Natal
Abstract: Acoustic indices, serve as potential statistical tools, are currently being tested against traditional biodiversity data collection methods, with a strong emphasis on non-invasive data gathering techniques. This study considers various environmental factors such as moon phase, temperature, current, and weather; when analyzing the acoustic data. It's crucial to note that the focus lies on an ecological scale rather than on species-specific levels.
The utilization of acoustic indices is a method in summarizing the acoustic energy within an environment; which is being tested against traditional biodiversity data collection to represent quantifiable measures of biodiversity in a tropical coral reef environment. This approach is gaining traction for its utility in monitoring both terrestrial and aquatic environments. By delving into soundscape analyses and comparing acoustic diversity across different regions, researchers can gauge the health of ecosystems and track environmental changes.
The iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in South Africa, harbors the largest coral reef system in the country. Situated along the East Coast, the Sodwana Bay's coral reef extends over 150 km, representing the southernmost coral reef on the continent. Despite its protected status, this ecosystem faces the brunt of environmental shifts.
Our study focuses on analyzing the acoustic soundscape of the coral reef system through passive acoustic monitoring to evaluate its acoustic diversity. Sounds are classified into biological, environmental, and anthropogenic categories, facilitating comparisons among three areas with degrees of human impact. Through this, we aim to provide acoustic characterizations of Sodwana Bay's coral reef system and establish an acoustic monitoring framework to assess the ecosystem's status. Preliminary data shows that there are significant differences amongst the Acoustic Complexity Index (ACI) values between the study sites, with other indices showing favorable results that may confirm that indices may hold value in being used as a measure in biodiversity studies.
Shahir Ramndit
Abstract Title: Exploring Coral Reef Soundscape Dynamics: Acoustic Indices as Potential Biodiversity Assessment Tools in Sodwana Bay
Co-Authors: Dr Anna Che Bastian; Dr David Glassom
Author affiliations: University of KwaZulu Natal
Abstract: Acoustic indices, serve as potential statistical tools, are currently being tested against traditional biodiversity data collection methods, with a strong emphasis on non-invasive data gathering techniques. This study considers various environmental factors such as moon phase, temperature, current, and weather; when analyzing the acoustic data. It's crucial to note that the focus lies on an ecological scale rather than on species-specific levels.
The utilization of acoustic indices is a method in summarizing the acoustic energy within an environment; which is being tested against traditional biodiversity data collection to represent quantifiable measures of biodiversity in a tropical coral reef environment. This approach is gaining traction for its utility in monitoring both terrestrial and aquatic environments. By delving into soundscape analyses and comparing acoustic diversity across different regions, researchers can gauge the health of ecosystems and track environmental changes.
The iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in South Africa, harbors the largest coral reef system in the country. Situated along the East Coast, the Sodwana Bay's coral reef extends over 150 km, representing the southernmost coral reef on the continent. Despite its protected status, this ecosystem faces the brunt of environmental shifts.
Our study focuses on analyzing the acoustic soundscape of the coral reef system through passive acoustic monitoring to evaluate its acoustic diversity. Sounds are classified into biological, environmental, and anthropogenic categories, facilitating comparisons among three areas with degrees of human impact. Through this, we aim to provide acoustic characterizations of Sodwana Bay's coral reef system and establish an acoustic monitoring framework to assess the ecosystem's status. Preliminary data shows that there are significant differences amongst the Acoustic Complexity Index (ACI) values between the study sites, with other indices showing favorable results that may confirm that indices may hold value in being used as a measure in biodiversity studies.
![[SPAW2023] Does environment constrain avian sound localization? by Prof. Ole Næsbye Larsen](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/a38puX2Kj_A/mqdefault.jpg "[SPAW2023] Does environment constrain avian sound localization? by Prof. Ole Næsbye Larsen
The Sound Perception in Animals Workshop 2023 arose from the idea of bringing highly qualified experts in bioacoustics to promote capacity building for South African students and researchers on the topic. The event was possible due to the collaboration between the African Bioacoustics Community through Sea Search Research and Conservation and the University of Southern Denmark, taking place at the Shark Spotters venue, in Muizenberg, Cape Town, on the 17th of May 2023.
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