Growth and Decay of Coral Reefs

Growth and Decay of Coral Reefs: Fifty Years of Learning describes how coral reefs have alternately flourished and declined over the last 50 years and the dynamics of these changes. The study is based on recordings at 30 different locations along the Sudanese coast, visited by the author between 1971 and 1973.

Beyond the Red Sea's desert shores lie some of the richest and most diverse coral reefs on our planet. Over a thousand species of reef fishes, matched by a similar abundance of living corals, creating habitats scientists were only just beginning to understand. The complexity of the inter-relations was truly mesmerizing. A single intervention, such as removal of a key species, could cause the whole community to collapse. Healthy corals were transformed into green weed-smothered reefs, accompanied by the loss of both corals and fish.

Based on the author’s observations of how knowledge and perspectives have changed over the last 50 years, this book highlights lessons learned from historical records that may help maintain and reestablish coral reefs in the years to come.

Topics covered include:

CORAL REEF FISH

Fish surveys

CORAL REEF PROFILES

Coral growth rates

Coral distribution

Corals on 'Cousteau garage'

CORAL THREATS

Climate change

Coral bleaching

Coral diseases

Coral sponges

Terpios hoshinota

Coral predators

Coral urchins

CORAL – ALGAE

CORAL RESEARCH

and more . . .