Artistic Sculptures Broadcast Sounds to Save Coral Reefs
Artist Marco Barotti uses 3D-printed reefs and sound to attract marine life to damaged habitats.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Environmental
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Artist Marco Barotti has deployed 3D-printed sculptures equipped with underwater speakers to broadcast the soundscapes of healthy reefs. This project aims to lure marine life back to damaged environments that have been degraded by pollution and climate change.
Why it matters
Coral reefs provide a critical habitat for approximately 25% of all marine species despite covering less than 1% of the ocean floor. Restoring these areas with acoustic cues helps support biodiversity in ecosystems facing global decline.
Coral reefs currently support roughly 25% of all known marine species while occupying less than 1% of the total ocean floor. Researchers continue to analyze whether these acoustic interventions can offset the projected loss of 90% of global reefs by 2050.
The players
Marco Barotti
An artist who develops sound-based projects to highlight and address ecological challenges in natural environments.
The details
The project utilizes artificial, 3D-printed structures that function as underwater speakers to mimic the acoustic profile of thriving coral colonies. By broadcasting these specific healthy soundscapes, the sculptures help guide marine life toward damaged reefs that otherwise struggle to attract species for regeneration.
Timeline
By 2050, it is projected that 90% of global coral reefs could be destroyed.
The Big Picture
This acoustic intervention represents a paradigm shift in conservation biology, moving beyond passive protection to active ecosystem restoration. By bridging the gap between artistic installation and marine science, the project challenges traditional habitat restoration methods following the precedent set by the 1998 mass coral bleaching event.
Successful acoustic restoration could lead to improved marine biodiversity and increased resilience in oceanic food webs. If proven effective, these 3D-printed technologies might be scaled to assist in global reef recovery programs.
The takeaway
Restoration efforts that utilize sensory cues such as sound can provide a vital lifeline for degraded marine environments. Incorporating art into science helps visualize and address complex conservation challenges that threaten global biodiversity.
Further reading
For more on efforts to restore global ecosystems, visit the Environmental section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Deutsche Welle.
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