Birds on Sticks
Seabirds play a key role in coral reef health: their droppings, rich in nutrients, fertilize lagoon waters and support coral growth.
This preliminary mission was focused on laying the groundwork for the deployment planned in September 2026. The team identified installation sites, carried out baseline surveys of coral communities at each location, and collected water and algae samples to assess nutrient levels. Trial fabrication and placement of the perches were also conducted on the reef, pending the necessary permits.
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Summary of field activities
The mission resulted in the identification of 8 sites for the future deployment of the perches, selected for having both sufficient reef structure and enough sand for installation. Coral surveys, water and algae samples were collected at each site to analyse nutrient levels and microbial communities. Seabird and fish observations were also conducted along the motu shorelines. Finally, trial fabrication and deployment of the aito wood perches were successfully completed, ahead of the installation planned for September 2026.
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Preliminary results
Site selection was constrained by the need to find areas with sufficient reef structure for coral surveys while also having enough sand to support stake deployment. Preliminary coral surveys identified the sites on the west side of Rimatu'u and the west side of Ahuroa as having the highest coral diversity. A total of 14 unique coral genera were identified across all sites, with mounding Porites species found in the highest abundance. The high Acropora diversity recorded at Ahuroa and on the north side of Aie is particularly encouraging: these corals are highly sensitive to rising temperatures and have been heavily impacted on the nearby reefs of Moorea and Tahiti. Finding them in the warm, shallow lagoon waters of Tetiaroa is a very positive sign for reef health. Stake construction trials using aito branches were successful. The design retained proved stable enough to support roosting birds, and large enough to accommodate even the boobies, whose feet are notably large.
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Perspectives
A return to Tetiaroa is planned for September 2026 to deploy the stakes around the atoll and conduct additional surveys of coral, algal and microbial communities, as well as nutrient assessments later in the season. Coral trays will be deployed alongside the stakes to assess the effect of birds on coral health and explore the potential of this technique as a coral reef restoration tool.