A group of researchers from The Ohio State University has developed a revolutionary technology designed to enhance the conservation and restoration of coral reefs.
This device, called Underwater Zooplankton Enhancement Light Array (UZELA), uses a special type of light that attracts zooplankton, the microscopic organisms that make up the food base for corals.
In collaboration with the Coral Restoration Foundation in Tavernier, Florida, this autonomous and programmable underwater light has already undergone initial tests with promising results.
How UZELA benefits coral feeding
After six months of experiments with native Hawaiian corals, scientists confirmed that UZELA significantly increases zooplankton density in the area. This enhances coral feeding, whether they are healthy or bleached, making them more resilient to environmental challenges such as thermal stress or ocean acidification.
According to Dr. Andrea Grottoli, leader of the study, coral reefs are crucial for marine biodiversity: although they occupy less than 1% of the ocean, they host a third of marine species.
The introduction of technologies like UZELA could transform coral nurseries operations. It can accelerate the growth of these ecosystems to sizes suitable for transplantation, reduce operating costs, and increase success rates in restoration projects.
Environmentally-friendly technology for marine ecosystems
While artificial lights have the potential to affect other marine species, trials indicate that UZELA does not negatively interfere with the ecosystem. Instead of altering the natural dispersion of zooplankton, this technology simply redirects organisms towards corals.
“This tool does not take resources from other nearby corals,” explains Grottoli. “It simply concentrates zooplankton in specific areas, improving the health of corals exposed to the light.”
Towards more efficient reef restoration
The mission of this project is to inject advanced technology into coral conservation. Although its use will not be continuous throughout the year to avoid possible environmental impacts, UZELA promises to be a game-changer in marine restoration.
Thanks to innovations like these, scientists are moving towards sustainable solutions for the protection and restoration of coral reefs, essential ecosystems for the planet’s health.
What is the largest coral reef in the world?
To find the largest of all reefs, we must travel to Oceania, to the so-called Great Barrier Reef.
Starting from the southern coast of Papua New Guinea, the Great Barrier Reef borders the northeastern coast of Australia up to the city of Bundaberg, in Queensland. With a length of over 2300 km, a width ranging from 60 to 250 km, and an approximate area of over 348,000 km², this massive reef is considered the largest living structure in the world.
However, the Great Barrier Reef is not actually a single unit. It is a collection of about 3000 smaller reefs, adding up to over 650 continental islands and around 300 coral cays.
This colossal structure hosts more than 600 coral species and 1625 known fish species. Additionally, up to 4000 mollusk species and about 1000 echinoderm species can be found. There are up to 30 species of cetaceans recorded, as well as other marine mammal species such as seals or dugongs.
Above water, the reefs of the Great Barrier Reef and its associated islands are visited each year by 215 bird species, of which 22 are marine, and 32 are coastal birds.
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