Researchers at Ohio State University and University of Hawai’i have developed an autonomous, programmable underwater light that attracts zooplankton, the coral’s food source.

The Underwater Zooplankton Enhancement Light Array (UZELA) “greatly enhanced” local zooplankton density in tests on two species of coral native to Hawaii, increasing the feeding rates of both healthy and bleached coral.

Coral reefs face growing threats from climate change, with heat stress weakening their ability to survive.

By providing a steady food source, UZELA could improve coral resilience and boost restoration efforts. The study was published in Limnology and Oceanography: Methods.