Coral Reefs of the Southern Gulf of Mexico

by Tunnell, John W., Jr.

• ISBN13: 9781585446179
• ISBN10: 1585446173
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2007-11-30
• Publisher: Texas A & M Univ Pr

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. Chavez and Kim Withers present an and 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.

Table of Contents

Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction	p. 1
Research History	p. 5
Reef Distribution	p. 14
Origin and Geology	p. 23
Climate and Oceanography	p. 34
Reef Zonation and Ecology: Veracruz Shelf and Campeche Bank	p. 41
Reef Biodiversity	p. 68
Reef Algae	p. 87
Reef Corals	p. 95
Reef Fish	p. 102
Reef Fisheries	p. 112
Island Biota	p. 119
Environmental Impacts	p. 126
Conservation and Management	p. 142
List of Acronyms	p. 153
Literature Cited	p. 155
List of Contributors	p. 179
Index	p. 181
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