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Chapter 8 The preceding chapters have taken us on a voyage from the simple to the complex and, with the example of corals and their mutualistic relationship with zooxanthellae, given an insight into the fantastic complexities of coral reefs and die associations they have engendered an d continue to foster . A coral reef can be likened t o a microcosm o f the world, for within its skeletal framework ha s evolved a community of great wealth and diversity. Here, species are seen to be living together with a remarkable degree of harmony, in an amazing arra y o f categorie s tha t encompas s al l thos e discussed herein. Superficially, reefs seem remote from the other components of our environment. They are generally considered, alongsid e tropica l rai n forests , t o possess th e greatest diversity of life on earth. They appear somehow to be exotic, separate from th e main, so that no part of diem impinges upon other less dynamic shores and subtidal plains. We can think of reefs as highly industrious and organized cities, set upon an island in a continuous sea — a rich oasis of teeming life, in which each species has evolved to fulfi l an infinitel y minut e rol e i n th e organizatio n o f it s tota l fabric. Becaus e o f proximity , comple x interaction s hav e been built up, not only with the living reef, but also with all those othe r inhabitant s whos e live s imping e upo n eac h other, an d wh o mus t fi t int o th e societ y o f th e ree f t o sustain and build it. In discussing the reef system, the analogies of city and society ar e all to o easil y penned , becaus e o f ou r natura l propensity t o tr y an d understan d everythin g tha t i s non human b y referenc e t o huma n notions , abstraction s an d qualities. How else can i t be? I n order to understand an d inform, th e though t processe s ar e huma n a s ar e th e communication modes. Of course a reef is not a city nor are its inhabitants organize d int o an 'ordered ' society , in the usual human interpretation of the word. There is no formal hierarchy o f control, no governing body of creatures tha t sets rules and expects conformity. Not every reef inhabitant pauses to think again whe n a patrolling shar k swim s by. There ar e n o rigid control s upo n behaviour , n o comple x administrative structure , n o la w court s an d thu s n o punishment o f societies ' offences . Indee d ther e ar e n o offences, because all natural behaviour is normal. There is no route to higher power, no depths of lethargy or dissent to plumb . Ther e ar e n o advocate s fo r change , n o conservative lobb y fo r stability . Ther e i s n o welfar e programme, n o exuberanc e o f youth , n o middl e ag e mediocrity, no resignation o f age. There are no contracts, no deals, no personal fame and fortune, no infamy. There is no vice, no charity, no love, no hatred. There is no time, no sense o f purpose , achievemen t o r failure . Ther e ar e n o inadequacies for , unlik e our cities and our societies, each individual ha s n o sens e o f bein g par t o f a large r whole . Each individua l o f eac h specie s i s concerned solel y wid i itself. It s success i s measure d i n term s o f it s abilit y t o obtain food and to reproduce successfully an d with such a life style , success come s t o thos e wh o ar e mos t abl e t o achieve suc h ends . Natura l selectio n work s i n th e sam e way in this community a s it does with a pride of lions on the plains of Serengeti, or penguins on die Antarctic pack ice. A coral reef is, thus, most definitely, not a city and its inhabitants are not...

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