Anthropogenic stressors on coral reefs (e.g. sedimentation, nutrient enrichment, overfishing) are driving ecosystem shifts from coral to macroalgal dominance. Managing these stressors requires their quantification, which can be time consuming and costly. Trait-based ecology studies of terrestrial ecosystems show that environmental conditions shape plant community traits, suggesting that community traits could be used as indicators of anthropogenic stressors in coral reef ecosystems. To test this hypothesis, we compared algal community traits to nutrients, sedimentation, and herbivory stress on 5 fringing reefs on Moorea, French Polynesia. Quantifying the relative strength of these stressors using bioassays showed significant variation across sites, with certain sites being ‘hot spots’ for nutrients and sedimentation stress. PCA analysis of algal community traits, comprised of 7 individual traits measured from 20-25 random algae collected at each site, showed important differences in trait space across sites. Loading plots showed that algal community traits shifted in response to variation in local stressors that would likely aid in tolerance to that stressor. For example, algae at the site with high levels of sedimentation maximized surface area relative to dry weight, while algae at another maximized height relative to dry weight, both traits likely aiding in acquisition of light. These results demonstrate algal community traits provide insights into the intensity of local anthropogenic stressors, providing important information to guide local monitoring plans.