The Great Barrier Reef: Biology, Environment and Management 2nd Edition

The Great Barrier Reef: Biology, Environment and Management 2nd Edition | ISBN-13 978-0367174286

The iconic and beautiful Great Barrier Reef (GBR) Marine Park is home to one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world.
With contributions from international experts, this timely and fully updated second edition of The Great Barrier Reef describes the animals, plants and other organisms of the reef, as well as the biological, chemical and physical processes that influence them. It contains new chapters on shelf slopes and fisheries and addresses pressing issues such as climate change, ocean acidification, coral bleaching and disease, and invasive species.
The Great Barrier Reef is a must-read for the interested reef tourist, student, researcher and environmental manager. While it has an Australian focus, it can equally be used as a reference text for most Indo-Pacific coral reefs.

Key Features:

• Exciting and contemporary account of the issues that face the world’s most complex marine ecosystem.
• Examines the diversity, physiology, ecology and conservation of coral reefs in one volume.
• Written by leading authorities on the biodiversity of the GBR as well as its position as an icon for monitoring global warming.
• Beautifully illustrated.

Overview:

The Great Barrier Reef: Biology, Environment and Management, 2nd Edition provides an updated and comprehensive account of one of the most complex and diverse ecosystems on Earth. This edition, enriched with contributions from international experts, delves into the intricate biology, chemical and physical processes, and environmental management of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). With new chapters on shelf slopes and fisheries, and discussions on critical issues such as climate change, ocean acidification, coral bleaching, disease, and invasive species, this book is essential for anyone interested in the current and future state of coral reefs.

Designed for reef tourists, students, researchers, and environmental managers alike, this book offers insights into the diversity, physiology, ecology, and conservation of the GBR. While focusing on the GBR, it serves as a valuable reference for understanding coral reefs across the Indo-Pacific region. Beautifully illustrated and written by leading authorities, this book is a timely resource for understanding and preserving one of the world’s most iconic marine ecosystems.

Key Features:

• Comprehensive Coverage: Addresses the diverse organisms of the GBR and the processes influencing them, including new content on shelf slopes and fisheries.
• Contemporary Issues: Explores current challenges like climate change, coral bleaching, ocean acidification, and invasive species.
• Expert Contributions: Features insights from leading international experts in marine biology and environmental management.
• Illustrative and Informative: Includes numerous illustrations and diagrams to support the detailed content.
• Global Relevance: While focused on the GBR, the content is applicable to coral reefs worldwide, making it a valuable reference for global marine studies.

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction to the Great Barrier Reef
2. Geomorphology of Coral Reefs with Special Reference to the Great Barrier Reef
3. The Great Barrier Reef in Time and Space: Geology and Palaeobiology
4. Oceanography
5. Coral Reef Habitats and Assemblages
6. Seabed Environments, Habitats and Biological Assemblages
7. The Great Barrier Reef outer-shelf
8. Primary Production, Nutrient Recycling and Energy Flow through Coral Reef Ecosystems
9. Calcification, Erosion and the Establishment of the Framework of Coral Reefs

Section 2: Factors Affecting the Reef 10. Fisheries of the Great Barrier Reef 11. Disturbances and Pressures to Coral Reefs 12. The Future of Coral Reefs in a Rapidly Changing World 13. Terrestrial Runoff to the Great Barrier Reef and the Implications for Its Long-Term Ecological Status 14. Planning and Managing the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park

Section 3: Overview of Reef Biodiversity and Organisms 15. Biodiversity of Organisms 16. Plankton 17. Macroalgae 18. Mangroves and Seagrasses 19. Sponges 20. Pelagic Cnidaria and Ctenophora 21. Hexacorals 1: Sea Anemones and Anemone-like Animals 22. Hexacorals 2: Reef-building or Hard Corals 23. Octocorals 24. Worms 25. Arthropoda: Crustaceans and Pycnogonids 26. Mollusca 27. Bryozoa 28. Echinodermata 29. Tunicata 30. The Fish Assemblages of the Great Barrier Reef: Their Diversity and Origin 31. Marine Reptiles and Marine Mammals 32. Seabirds