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If one does not understand the biology of the coral reef, one does not understand the reef at all. So, using more than 250 illustrations and specially drawn ecological reconstructions of reef communities, Rachel Wood provides a unique evolutionary approach to the understanding of ancient coral reef ecosystems. Marine organisms have aggregated to form reefs for over 3.5 billion years--creating the largest biologically constructed feature on earth, some visible from space. However, their study has been largely descriptive. Reef Evolution, documents the fundamental biological processes and innovations which have molded the evolution of reef ecosystems and given rise to the highly complex communities found today. The appearance of clonality, the acquisition of photosymbiosis, and the radiation of predator groups are all discussed in depth. Data from the fossil record documents the evolutionary development of reef ecosystems. Although reefs only occupy a small percentage of the oceans, their importance to the marine environment is many-faceted and global. They create harbors and allow the development of shallow basins with associated mangrove or seagrass communities; they protect coastlines from erosion; are involved in the regulation of atmospheric carbon, which in turn contributes to climate control. can provide extensive oil and gas reservoirs. From a biological standpoint, however, the great significance of reefs lies in their ability to generate and maintain a substantial proportion of tropical marine biodiversity. This unique interdisciplinary approach provides students and researchers in evolution, marine biology, ecology, paleontology, biodiversity, and geology with a text that will allow them to truly understand the biological innovations which have molded the evolution of coral reefs and given rise to the highly complex communities found today.
Paperback: 432 pages
Publisher: Oxford University Press (July 29, 1999)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0198577842
ISBN-13: 978-0198577843
Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 0.9 x 6.6 inches
Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
Best Sellers Rank: #2,912,168 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #74 in Books > Science & Math > Nature & Ecology > Ecosystems > Coral Reefs #1085 in Books > Science & Math > Biological Sciences > Biology > Marine Biology #1660 in Books > Textbooks > Engineering > Environmental Engineering
All too often reefs have been described as merely geological phenomena. In her book, Rachel Wood takes a different approached missing for a long time: she treats reefs mainly from the biological perspective, i.e. as phenomena with biological intercations in its ecological community. Appropriate space is devoted to the discussion of reef-builder ecology (clonality vs. modularity), predators, herbivores, and symbionts.Part I of the book rather briefly (90 pp.) deals with reefs in Earth history and excessively (30 pp.) discussions the effects of mass extinctions on reefs. This chapter is oriented mainly at major episodes of constructor consortia blooms, whereas times of reduced reef growth do not receive much attention (although the discussion of the reasons for this reduction seem at least as interesting). Part II of the volume (40 pp.) is concerned with environmental controls of reef growth and does not provide much new information; nonetheless, these issues need to be mentioned within the given scope. Part III certainly is the most interesting and supplies the reader with several new interpretations of biological interactions in reefs: Growth form and autecology of reef builders are seen in close correlation; the role of biological disturbance is discussed at length; the origins and consequences of photosymbiosis are treated as well as the means and ways of competition among reef organisms. With its 150 pages, this chapter is the most rewarding and well justifies buying this book.A few criticisms have to be raised, however. The contents are skewed towards the author's favourite subject (Archaeocyatha); the importance of bioerosion is not stressed adequately and remains rather sketchy; the geological time-scale used is a little outdated; and the ethymologically incorrect form "microbialite" (instead of microbolite) is used throughout.Nonetheless, the text is very well-structured and arranged logically, with meaningful headings providing rapid orientation. An index further contributes to the easy access. Up-to-date references and a glossary for the non-specialist are additional positive features. All in all, this volume is well worth reading from the first to the last page for everyone interested in this fascinating facet of biological and physical interaction. Compulsory for the palaeontology teacher, and at least every library focussing on Earth Sciences should have it available!M. Bertling
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