Series: Biology of Habitats Series
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Oxford University Press; 1 edition (October 4, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0198566360
ISBN-13: 978-0198566366
Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 0.6 x 6.1 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #460,320 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #12 in Books > Science & Math > Nature & Ecology > Ecosystems > Coral Reefs #60 in Books > Science & Math > Biological Sciences > Zoology > Ichthyology #178 in Books > Science & Math > Biological Sciences > Biology > Marine Biology
I've taken or served as teaching assistant for a number of classes on coral reef ecology, and we've never had a good, comprehensive textbook that was suitable for undergraduate students. I was excited to see this book this year, particularly since it appeared just before I taught my own undergraduate class on "Ecology of Reefs, Mangroves, and Seagrasses". We've read a number of the chapters on coral reefs, corals, and human impacts. I do wish there was more information on the organisms of the coral reef - algae, invertebrates, mammals & reptiles, as I had to find other sources for that. However, it is well-organized information, clear, and very up-to-date. I would use it as a textbook if/when I teach the class again and recommend the series to others teaching about the biology of habitats. We also used Hogarth's (2007) book in the series on mangroves & seagrasses.
This is a well written introduction to coral reef biology, potentially useful for both a senior-undergraduate course or any diver wishing to learn more about the coral reefs she is hovering above.The book treats many aspects of reefs, from the main reef builders, the abiotic environment, reef microbiology and the world of coral reef fishes. Most figures are black/white, but the book also contains some color plates. It goes into a good amount of detail, and covers some very recent scientific studies, but at the same time is written in a readable style. Often text boxes cover special topics, such as the crown-of-thorns starfish.What I really appreciated is the significant part dedicated to conservation issues and the damage done to reefs by everything from overfishing, the creating of artificial islands, sewage run-off, to global warming and ocean acidification. When treating these subjects, the authors don't fall into the all-is-lost mode, but also outline how intelligent decisions by humans can make a big difference in reef health.
Im a biology student and study corals. I found this book great as an introduction to the subject and a quick guide for remembering the basics. So is very useful for students of these ecosystems and for amateurs. Reading the book gives you the knowledge to understand more specific documents like papers later.
The Biology of Coral Reefs is an excellent reference/textbook for scientifically minded people to delve further into the reefs. It is a must read for anyone who is interested in the education and preservation of one of the world's most beautiful, economically, and ecologically important resources.
I received the book in the mail and it is in great condition for the class that I am taking. There are a few highlighter marks in it, but I plan on adding onto that anyway. The book is great!
The book was in very good condition. The edition matched the one on the description. Very satisfied.
Arrived earlier than anticipated. Can't wait to dive in to this one. Book is immaculate.
Easy to understand book, helped me do very well in the class!
The Biology of Coral Reefs (Biology of Habitats Series) Cold-Water Corals: The Biology and Geology of Deep-Sea Coral Habitats Easy Make & Learn Projects: Animal Habitats: Reproducible Mini-Books and 3-D Manipulatives That Teach About Oceans, Rain Forests, Polar Regions, and 12 Other Important Habitats The Biology of Deserts (Biology of Habitats Series) The Biology of Freshwater Wetlands (Biology of Habitats) Peterson Field Guide(R) to Coral Reefs of the Caribbean & Florida (Peterson Field Guide Series) A Field Guide to Coral Reefs of the Caribbean and Florida Including Bermuda and the Bahamas (The Peterson Field Guide Series) Encyclopedia of Modern Coral Reefs: Structure, Form and Process (Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series) Science Comics: Coral Reefs: Cities of the Ocean Coral Reefs National Geographic Readers: Coral Reefs Coral Reefs: In Danger (Penguin Young Readers, Level 3) A Field Guide to Coral Reefs: Caribbean and Florida (Peterson Field Guides) Coral Reefs in the Microbial Seas World Atlas of Coral Reefs Coral Reefs: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) The Nature of Florida's Ocean Life : Including Coral Reefs, Gulf Stream, Sargasso Sea, and Sunken Ships Texas Coral Reefs (Gulf Coast Books, sponsored by Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi) Six Months in the Sandwich Islands: Among Hawaii's Palm Groves, Coral Reefs, and Volcanoes Coral Reefs: Cities Under the Sea (Casebound hardback)