Temporal and spatial variability in vessel noise on tropical coral reefs

Coral reef soundscapes are dynamic, demonstrating amplitude and spectral variability across timescales from seconds to seasons. Some of this variability can result from spatiotemporally heterogeneous patterns of human activity. To characterize this variability and the extent to which anthropogenic sound can modify the biological soundscape, seven Hawaiian reefs were equipped with acoustic recorders operating on a 10% duty cycle for 16 months. Spatially, vessel activity was acoustically detected unevenly across reefs; for example, vessels were acoustically present almost every day at a popular snorkeling reef but were rare in a protected area closed to boats, which indicates that exposure of reef fauna to vessel noise will vary by reef. Temporally, vessel activity was most likely to occur during daylight hours, which is consistent with patterns of human activity. This heterogeneity in exposure could have implications for physiology and behavior and underscores the need for long-term acoustic monitoring alo...