Photo credit: www.sciencedaily.com

Innovative Tool Aims to Safeguard Coral Reefs Through Enhanced Feeding

Researchers have introduced a cutting-edge device designed to bolster the health of coral reefs by increasing their feeding opportunities.

The innovative tool, known as the Underwater Zooplankton Enhancement Light Array (UZELA), operates autonomously as a programmable underwater light. Its primary function is to attract zooplankton, the microscopic creatures that serve as a vital food source for coral.

During a six-month study involving two coral species endemic to Hawaii, scientists observed that UZELA significantly increased local zooplankton populations, leading to heightened feeding rates among both healthy and bleached corals. This increased food availability is crucial, as it helps corals become more robust and better equipped to withstand environmental stressors, including heat waves and ocean acidification.

Andrea Grottoli, the study’s lead author and a professor of earth sciences at The Ohio State University, highlighted the significance of these findings amid growing concerns over climate change. “Coral reefs are home to a third of all marine species but occupy less than 1% of the ocean,” she remarked. “Their role in maintaining oceanic health is critical, yet they are under severe threat.”

The research has been published in the journal Limnology and Oceanography: Methods.

Coral reefs are essential to the livelihoods of millions, underpinning fishing economies and acting as natural barriers that mitigate coastal erosion and flooding. However, with current climate change projections, many reefs are at risk of complete collapse by 2050, threatening the intricate ecosystems they support.

While the UZELA technology is not a permanent fix for the myriad threats facing coral reefs, it is seen as a valuable aid in restoration efforts. Grottoli characterized it as a temporary solution that could offer protection to certain corals in specific locations for approximately two decades.

The team discovered that the device, capable of operating for up to six months on a single battery, could optimize coral feeding by functioning for just one hour post-sunset. Recognizing potential disruption to marine life due to artificial lighting, researchers have noted the importance of using UZELA judiciously rather than continuously. Nonetheless, the study indicates that the method of directing zooplankton toward coral through this innovative device does not adversely affect surrounding marine ecosystems.

“Imagine zooplankton gathered in a column above coral instead of being scattered naturally; UZELA helps draw them closer,” Grottoli explained. “Proximity to the light source can enhance feeding rates by ten to fifty times.” This corresponds to an 18-68% increase in the metabolic needs that zooplankton can fulfill, promoting greater coral survivability and health.

“Our ultimate goal is to incorporate new technologies and energy into coral restoration initiatives,” Grottoli stated. “UZELA can be strategically applied in high-value reef areas or locations that have received significant prior investment.”

Adaptable to a variety of marine settings, UZELA can be serviced by divers once deployed at the most beneficial underwater locations.

Although the current prototypes of UZELA are handcrafted, the research team is collaborating with an Ohio-based engineering firm to enhance manufacturing processes for wider dissemination. Grottoli anticipates these improved models will be available within the next one to three years.

“We are not progressing swiftly enough in addressing climate change to rescue coral reefs, and UZELA is not a miracle cure,” she cautioned. “However, it represents a promising opportunity that could provide essential time as we pursue a more sustainable approach to environmental stewardship.”

Supporting co-authors of the study include Shannon Dixon and Ann Marie Hulver from Ohio State, along with Claire Bardin, Claire Lewis, Christopher Suchocki, and Rob Toonen from the University of Hawai’i at Manoa and the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology.

The study received backing from the University of Hawai’i Foundation, the National Science Foundation, and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.

Source
www.sciencedaily.com