The Biology of Coral Reefs

by Sheppard, Charles R.C.; Davy, Simon K.; Pilling, Graham M.

• ISBN13: 9780198566366
• ISBN10: 0198566360
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-10-04
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

Coral reefs represent the most spectacular and diverse marine ecosystem on the planet as well as a critical source of income for millions of people. However, the combined effects of human activity have led to a rapid decline in the health of reefs worldwide, with many now facing completedestruction. This timely book provides an integrated overview of the function, physiology, ecology, and behaviour of coral reef organisms. Each chapter is enriched with a selection of 'boxes' on specific aspects written by internationally recognised experts. As with other books in the Biology of HabitatsSeries, the emphasis in this book is on the organisms that dominate this marine environment although pollution, conservation, climate change, and experimental aspects are also included. Indeed, particular emphasis is placed on conservation and management due to the habitat's critically endangeredstatus. A global range of examples is employed which gives the book international relevance.This accessible text is intended for students, naturalists and professionals and assumes no previous knowledge of coral reef biology. It is particularly suitable for both senior undergraduate and graduate students (in departments of biology, geography, and environmental science) taking courses incoral reef ecology, marine biology, oceanography and conservation biology, as well as the many professional ecologists and conservation biologists requiring a concise overview of the topic. It will also be of relevance and use to reef managers, recreational divers, and amateur naturalists.

Author Biography

Prof Charles Sheppard has spent 35 years researching the ecology of coral reefs and their role in supporting coastal communities. He is interested especially in effects of pollution and climate change on tropical marine systems, and has been Editor of the scientific journal Marine Pollution Bulletin for 15 years.
Dr. Simon Davy is a specialist in the fields of coral-algal symbiosis and coral disease. He studied for his PhD at Bangor University. He then conducted postdoctoral research at the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution in Florida and the University of Sydney, before holding faculty positions at the University of Plymouth and now Victoria University of Wellington.
Dr Graham Pilling has considerable practical experience in tropical and coral reef ecosystems. He has gained in depth experience in the practical assessment and management of coral reef fisheries in the Indian Ocean and Arabian Gulf. His recent work has focused on the implications of climate change for coral reef ecosystem services.

Table of Contents

Abbreviations	p. ix
List of Boxes	p. xi
Coral Reefs - Biodiverse and Productive Tropical Ecosystems	p. 1
Introduction	p. 1
Areas and distributions of reefs	p. 10
Biodiversity on coral reefs	p. 13
Coral communities and reef growth	p. 17
Types of reefs	p. 20
Profiles and zones of reefs	p. 24
Biodiversity on reef slopes	p. 30
Values of reefs to people	p. 32
The Main Reef Builders and Space Occupiers	p. 33
Corals	p. 36
Soft corals and sea fans	p. 47
Sponges	p. 50
Other animal species	p. 55
Macroalgae	p. 57
Seagrasses and mangroves	p. 59
Rates of coral growth, rates of reef growth	p. 62
Soft substrates	p. 65
The Abiotic Environment	p. 66
Controls on coral distribution	p. 66
Salinity	p. 66
Temperature	p. 71
Light	p. 76
Nutrients	p. 79
Exposure and other hydrodynamic factors	p. 84
Sediment	p. 87
Seawater carbonate chemistry	p. 91
Symbiotic Interactions	p. 98
What is symbiosis?	p. 98
Algal-invertebrate symbioses in corals and soft corals	p. 98
Diversity of zooxanthellae	p. 101
Physiology of coral calcification	p. 104
Photosynthesis and carbon fluxes	p. 106
Nitrogen acquisition and fluxes	p. 113
Phosphorus	p. 116
Symbiosis establishment and stability	p. 117
Coral-microbial associations	p. 122
Sponge symbioses with non-photosynthetic bacteria, cyanobacteria, and algae	p. 125
'Macro' or iconic symbioses e.g. fish and sea anemones, shrimps, and fish	p. 127
Microbial, Microalgal, and Planktonic Reef Life	p. 130
Microbial reef life	p. 130
Trophic links	p. 146
Zooplankton behaviour and ecology	p. 154
Reef Fishes: Diversity, Feeding, and Food Chains	p. 161
Geographical influences on diversity	p. 62
Reef fish: colourful for a reason	p. 164
Trophic ecology of coral reef fish	p. 168
The coral reef food chain	p. 182
Impacts on the food chain	p. 184
Reef Fisheries and Reef Aquaculture	p. 192
Fisheries resources on reefs	p. 193
Practical issues with reef fishes	p. 203
Live reef fish trade	p. 206
Aquaculture on reefs	p. 210
Impacts of fishing	p. 211
Approaches to managing coral reef fisheries	p. 215
Controlling coral reef fisheries	p. 218
Future for reef fisheries	p. 220
Coral Reefs in the Modern World	p. 223
Damaging impacts on reefs	p. 224
Other physical impacts	p. 231
Coral diseases	p. 234
Diseases of other reef organisms	p. 237
Climate change	p. 239
Acidification	p. 247
Sea level rise	p. 249
Cyclones, hurricanes, typhoons	p. 250
Synergies, stasis, and feedbacks	p. 253
Consequences to Reefs of Changing Environmental Stress	p. 255
Ecological consequences of environmental impacts	p. 255
Changes to the main architectural species	p. 259
Changes on Indo-Pacific reefs	p. 265
Sizes of the coral 'reservoir'	p. 274
Changing food chains and trophic balances	p. 275
The Future, Human Population, and Management	p. 278
The time scale available	p. 279
The elephant in the room	p. 282
Protected areas and coral reefs	p. 285
Environmental assessments	p. 288
Costs, prices, and values	p. 290
The 'slippery slope to slime'	p. 293
The future for reefs	p. 293
Bibliography	p. 301
Index	p. 333
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