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Coral reefs are one of the most biologically diverse habitats in the world, host to an extraordinary variety of marine plants and animals. They are also one of the world's most fragile and endangered ecosystems. The growth of mass tourism, combined with the boom in popularity of scuba diving, has brought these spectacular ecosystems to public attention across the planet. Coral reefs provide essential fish habitat, support endangered and threatened species, and harbor protected marine mammals and turtles. They are a significant source of food, provide income and employment through tourism and marine recreation, and offer countless other benefits to humans, including supplying compounds for pharmaceuticals. Yet coral reefs around the world are rapidly being degraded by a number of human activities, such as overfishing, coastal development, and the introduction of sewage, fertilizer, and sediment.

World Atlas of Coral Reefs provides the first detailed and definitive account of the current state of our planet's coral reefs. With its wealth of authoritative and up-to-date information, the finest maps available, and detailed descriptive texts and images by leading experts, this full-color volume will be a critical resource for anyone interested in these vital environments.

World Atlas of Coral Reefs contains eighty four full-page newly researched and drawn color maps, together with more than two hundred color photos illustrating reefs, reef animals, and images taken from space by NASA astronauts during the 2000 and 2001 space shuttle flights. The authors provide a wealth of information on the geography, biodiversity, and human uses of coral reefs, as well as details about the threats to their existence.

Prepared at the UNEPÐWorld Conservation Monitoring Centre in Cambridge, England- -the United Nations office responsible for providing authoritative information on the condition of global biodiversity--the Atlas will be a critical tool for scientists, students, policymakers, and planners at local, national, and international levels alike.

Publication of the World Atlas of Coral Reefs is supported by international institutions including the United Nations Environment Programme; The Marine Aquarium Council, The International Coral Reef Initiative; ICLARM--The World Fish Center; the Professional Association of Diving Instructors, and the Aventis Foundation.

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 "Very little information about corals!" 2007-06-08
By Rob Martin (Jax, FL)
Having purchased Green and Short's "World Atlas of Seagrasses", also from California Press, I was quite excited to find this volume. Green and Short describe nearly all of the world's seagrasses, complete with line drawings and species comparisons, and map their distribution. They also include info on preservation, destruction, etc. It is an invaluable resource for anyone needing to identify or locate seagrasses. I was disappointed, however, when I received "World Atlas of Coral Reefs". The entire text is devoted to describing areas where reefs are found, but rarely mentions anything about the corals themselves! I saw listed more often than any coral genus! If you want to learn about the per capita fish consumption of Mauritius or phosphate mining on the atoll of Nauru, this is the book for you. If, however, you are interested in corals and the reefs that they construct (which is probably why you are reading this) you should move on to another book.

 "A Great Resource for Divers" 2006-06-01
By G. Sweeney (Florida)
I bought this book for the maps and descriptions of reef conditions. It has helped me be prepared for my next destination as a scuba diver and I also use it to pick new places to explore. Recommended

 "excellent" 2006-03-20
By Eduardo Ramos Santiago (Oaxaca, Mexico)
The book arrived in prefect conditions and in less days of that estimated by the service.

 "Beautiful" 2002-03-12
By ScaperGal (Dallas, TX USA)
A truly beautiful book, although I expected the pictures to be larger. There is not one full page photo in the book unfortunately. It would really enhance the book to have some of those lovely photos blown up full page.

 "Beautiful" 2002-02-02
By David N. Smith (Gaylordsville, CT United States)
I bought this for my daughter, a graduating Biologist, but it was so fascinating that I'm afraid she got a slightly used book. It covers all coral reefs anywhere in the world. The maps are superb, as are the color photographs of the reefs. Each reef had a discussion of conditions in the reef, and the life that grows there. It's a huge book but one starts wishing for more; more maps, more photos, more detail. Maybe in the next edition, but meanwhile we can enjoy this superb book just as it.


Read more World Atlas of Coral Reefs

Reef
Fifty Places to Dive Before You Die: Diving Experts Share the World's Greatest Destinations
The Reef Set: Reef Fish, Reef Creature and Reef Coral (3 Volumes)
The Biology of Coral Reefs (Biology of Habitats)
Reef Life: Natural History and Behaviors of Marine Fishes and Invertebrates