In this Book
- Coral Reefs of the Southern Gulf of Mexico
- Book
- 2007
- Published by: Texas A&M University Press
- Series: Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies Series, Sponsored by the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
summary
Coral reefs declined worldwide during the 1980s and 1990s, making them perhaps the most endangered marine ecosystem on Earth. This realization spurred John W. Tunnell Jr. and others to write a comprehensive book that would raise awareness of coral reefs and their plight. Tunnell and coeditors Ernesto A. Chávez and Kim Withers present an integrated and broad-ranging synthesis, while Mexican and U.S. experts assess the current state of these fragile systems and offer a framework for their restoration.
Beginning with a history of the research done in this region, Coral Reefs of the Southern Gulf of Mexico covers the geography, geology, oceanography, ecology, and biodiversity of the thirty-eight “emergent” or platform-type coral reefs in the southern Gulf. The editors include chapters on the biota—from algae to fish—followed by a look at environmental impacts, both natural (such as hurricanes and red tides) and human (such as ship groundings and dredging). The book closes with a discussion of conservation issues, which is both descriptive and prescriptive in its assessment of what has been done and what should be done to protect and manage these vital ecosystems.
Beginning with a history of the research done in this region, Coral Reefs of the Southern Gulf of Mexico covers the geography, geology, oceanography, ecology, and biodiversity of the thirty-eight “emergent” or platform-type coral reefs in the southern Gulf. The editors include chapters on the biota—from algae to fish—followed by a look at environmental impacts, both natural (such as hurricanes and red tides) and human (such as ship groundings and dredging). The book closes with a discussion of conservation issues, which is both descriptive and prescriptive in its assessment of what has been done and what should be done to protect and manage these vital ecosystems.
Table of Contents
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- Acknowledgments
- pp. xvii-xviii
- Introduction
- pp. 1-4
- Chapter 1. Research History
- pp. 5-13
- Chapter 2. Reef Distribution
- pp. 14-22
- Chapter 3. Origin and Geology
- pp. 23-33
- Chapter 4. Climate and Oceanography
- pp. 34-40
- Chapter 6. Reef Biodiversity
- pp. 68-86
- Chapter 7. Reef Algae
- pp. 87-94
- Chapter 8. Reef Corals
- pp. 95-101
- Chapter 9. Reef Fish
- pp. 102-111
- Chapter 10. Reef Fisheries
- pp. 112-118
- Chapter 11. Island Biota
- pp. 119-125
- Chapter 12. Environmental Impacts
- pp. 126-141
- Chapter 13. Conservation and Management
- pp. 142-152
- List of Acronyms
- pp. 153-154
- Literature Cited
- pp. 155-178
- List of Contributors
- pp. 179-180
Additional Information
ISBN
9781603447935
Related ISBN(s)
9781585446179
MARC Record
OCLC
728036718
Pages
216
Launched on MUSE
2012-01-01
Language
English
Open Access
No