Coral Reef Ecology

Coral reef communities are among the most complex, mature and productive ecosystems on Earth. Being extremely productive and having the function of a powerful biofilter, coral reefs play an important part in global biogeochemical processes and in the reproduction of food resources in tropical marine regions. This book covers all aspects of coral reef science systematically and on the basis of a holistic ecosystem approach. The geological history of coral reefs, their geomorphology (as well as biology and including community structure of reef biota), biogeochemical metabolism, energy balance, environmental problems and management of resources, are treated in detail.