Coral reefs : a natural history / Charles Sheppard.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Sheppard, Charles, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Coral reef ecology.

Coral reef biology.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (242 pages) : illustrations

Place of Publication:

Princeton, New Jersey : Princeton University Press, [2021]

Summary:

An illustrated look at corals from around the worldCorals are among the most varied lifeforms on Earth, ranging from mushroom corals and leather corals to button polyps, sea fans, anemones, and pulse corals. Bridging the gap between plant and animal, these marine invertebrates serve as homes to reef fish and share symbiotic relationships with photosynthesizing algae, which provide corals with their nourishment. This stunningly illustrated book profiles the astonishing diversity of the world's coral groups, describing key aspects of their natural history and explaining why coral reefs are critical to the health of our oceans. Representative examples of corals have been selected to illustrate the broad range of species, and the book's lively and informative commentary covers everything from identification to conservation, making it an essential resource for marine biologists, divers, and anyone who is fascinated by these remarkable sea creatures.Features more than 200 exquisite color photosHighlights key aspects of corals and their natural historyFeatures representative examples from around the worldIncludes photos of rare and unusual species

Contents:

Cover

Contents

Foreword

Introduction

CHAPTER 1: THE CORAL ANIMAL

WHAT ARE CORALS AND REEFS?

THE CORAL ANIMAL

CORAL SYMBIOSIS: SYMBIOTIC ALGAE

CORAL SYMBIOSIS: THE CORAL HOLOBIONT

CORAL GROWTH AND DIFFERENT COLONY SHAPES

IDENTIFYING CORALS

CORAL REPRODUCTION

CORAL SHAPES: MASSIVE CORALS

CORAL SHAPES: ENCRUSTING CORALS

CORAL SHAPES: BRANCHING CORALS

CORAL SHAPES: TABLE CORALS

CORAL SHAPES: BRAIN CORALS

CORAL SHAPES: FREE-LIVING MUSHROOM CORALS

CORAL SHAPES: LEAFY CORALS IN DEEPER REEFS

OTHER REEF CNIDARIANS: BLACK CORALS

OTHER REEF CNIDARIANS: SOFT CORALS AND SEA FANS

OTHER REEF CNIDARIANS: FIRE CORALS AND OTHER STINGERS

OTHER REEF CNIDARIANS: COLORED REEF BUILDERS

CORAL FLUORESCENCE

CORAL COMPETITION

HOW CORALS DEPOSIT LIMESTONE

CHAPTER 2: DIFFERENT KINDS OF REEFS

DARWIN'S SCHEME

REEF COMMUNITIES AND REEF DEVELOPMENT

GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION OF REEF-BUILDING CORALS

FRINGING AND BARRIER REEFS

ATOLLS

FIVE CONTRASTING REEF SEAS: THE CARIBBEAN

FIVE CONTRASTING REEF SEAS: THE RED SEA

FIVE CONTRASTING REEF SEAS: THE CORAL TRIANGLE

FIVE CONTRASTING REEF SEAS: PACIFIC ISLAND REEFS

FIVE CONTRASTING REEF SEAS: GREAT BARRIER REEF

CORAL ISLANDS AND CAYS

THE RICHEST PARTS OF REEFS

HIGH- AND LOW-DIVERSITY REEFS

WHEN CORALS CANNOT BUILD REEFS

DEEP- AND COLD-WATER CORALS

ANCIENT REEF BUILDERS

CHAPTER 3: HOW A CORAL REEF WORKS

THE INTEGRATED REEF SYSTEM

ZOOPLANKTON FOOD

STONY ALGAE, AND SPURS AND GROOVES

CORAL REEF SPONGES

SEAWEEDS ON REEFS

REEF FISH: DIVERSITY AND ABUNDANCE OF REEF FISH

REEF FISH: FEEDING METHODS OF REEF FISH

REEF FISH: FUNCTIONS AND DIVERSITY OF REEF FISH

REEF FISH: FISH COLORS AND CAMOUFLAGE

REEF FISH: SHARKS AND RAYS

COMPETITION ON REEFS: THE RED QUEEN HYPOTHESIS.

SYMBIOSES AND COMMENSALISM ON REEFS

KEY ORGANISMS THAT ERODE A REEF

REEF BORERS

SAND CYCLES

LIFE IN CORAL SAND

IMPORTANT REEF LIFE: MOLLUSKS

IMPORTANT REEF LIFE: ECHINODERMS

SEAGRASSES AND MANGROVES

MEASURING THE PAST

WHERE REEFS GRADE TO COLDER WATERS

ISLAND AND REEF CONNECTIONS

CORAL REEF RESEARCH TODAY

CHAPTER 4: LOCAL AND REGIONAL DISTURBANCES TO REEFS

FISHING AND DESTRUCTIVE FISHING

SEWAGE, NUTRIENTS, AND REEFS

DISSOLVED NUTRIENTS ON REEFS

CORAL DISEASES AND SYNDROMES

PROBLEM SPECIES: LIONFISH

PROBLEM SPECIES: THE DIADEMA DIEBACK

PROBLEM SPECIES: CROWN OF THORNS STARFISH

SHORELINE DISTURBANCE AND DEVELOPMENT

SEDIMENTATION

FRESHWATER RUN-OFF

CHEMICAL, PLASTIC, AND OIL POLLUTION

BOAT ANCHORING

LIVE CORAL AND REEF FISH TRADE

CHAPTER 5: CLIMATE CHANGE AND REEFS

CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE CO2 STORY

EFFECT OF WARMING ON CORALS

ACIDIFICATION AND TIME LAGS

SEA LEVEL RISE AND REEFS

TROPICAL REVOLVING STORMS: HURRICANES, CYCLONES, AND TYPHOONS

LOSS OF BREAKWATER EFFECTS

CORAL RESISTANCE, RESILIENCE, AND REFUGES FROM CLIMATE CHANGE

REEF LOSS AND SOCIAL INSTABILITY

CHAPTER 6: PEOPLE AND REEFS

TRADITIONAL USES OF REEFS

NEWER USES OF REEFS AND THEIR VALUES

MAJOR CONSTRUCTION ON CORAL REEFS

CORAL REEF FISHING

MEASURING CHANGES ON REEFS

REEF LIFE ON ARTIFICIAL STRUCTURES

PURPOSE-BUILT ARTIFICIAL STRUCTURES FOR CORALS

CORAL CULTIVATION AND GENETIC "SUPER CORALS"

FARMING ON CORAL REEFS

MARINE PROTECTED AREAS AND SPATIAL PLANNING

REEF DECLINE: INERTIA AND POLITICS

REEFS AT THE CROSSROADS

THE FUTURE OF REEFS

Glossary

Further Reading

Index

Picture Credits.

Notes:

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

0-691-21862-5

OCLC:

1263869674