Eden Zang, managing director of Oceanwide Science Institute, will be at the Maui Nui Resource Council meeting Wednesday to explain how passive acoustic monitoring can be utilized to reveal clues about coral reef communities.

The meeting, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Pacific Whale Foundation’s Discovery Center classrooms at the ocean level of the Maui Harbor Shops in Maalaea, is free and open to the public.

Zang will also share results from a 16-month acoustic study from seven reefs around Maui. “The soundscape of coral reefs may provide a way to track animal activities and community level structure,” she said. “To do so, it is critical to identify how reef sound- scapes are influenced by biotic (living) and abiotic (nonliving) factors, and establish how sounds capes change over time and across habitats.”

“We’re excited about the use of acoustic monitoring to gain more information about our local reefs,” said Robin Newbold, co-founder and chair of Maui Nui Marine Resource Council. “This promises to be a fascinating presentation for anyone who is interested in Maui’s coral reefs.”

The meeting will also provide updates about ocean water quality testing and other projects that are underway at Maui Nui Marine Resource Council. Refreshments will be served.

Maui Nui Marine Resource Council is a nonprofit organization celebrating its 10th anniversary of working for clean ocean water, healthy coral reefs and abundant native fish for the islands of Maui County, according to the announcement. To learn more about Maui Nui Marine Resource Council, visit www.mauireefs.org.