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Coral Reefs: A Natural History
An illustrated look at corals and the reefs they build around the world, and the causes and dire consequences of their rapid disappearance
Corals are among the most varied lifeforms on Earth, ranging from mushroom corals and leather corals to button polyps, sea fans, anemones, and pulse corals. Bridging the gap between plant and animal, these marine invertebrates serve as homes to reef fish and share symbiotic relationships with photosynthesizing algae, which provide corals with their nourishment. This stunningly illustrated book profiles the astonishing diversity of the world's coral groups, describing key aspects of their natural history and explaining why coral reefs are critical to the health of our oceans. Representative examples of corals have been selected to illustrate the broad range of species, and the book's lively and informative commentary covers everything from identification to conservation, making it an essential resource for marine biologists, divers, and anyone who is fascinated by these remarkable sea creatures.
Corals are among the most varied lifeforms on Earth, ranging from mushroom corals and leather corals to button polyps, sea fans, anemones, and pulse corals. Bridging the gap between plant and animal, these marine invertebrates serve as homes to reef fish and share symbiotic relationships with photosynthesizing algae, which provide corals with their nourishment. This stunningly illustrated book profiles the astonishing diversity of the world's coral groups, describing key aspects of their natural history and explaining why coral reefs are critical to the health of our oceans. Representative examples of corals have been selected to illustrate the broad range of species, and the book's lively and informative commentary covers everything from identification to conservation, making it an essential resource for marine biologists, divers, and anyone who is fascinated by these remarkable sea creatures.
240 pages, Hardcover
Published August 17, 2021
9 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 26, 2024
This book rules!!! Rich, full-page color photographs and illustrations clearly show the diversity of corals (and other reef life). The author, an eminent expert on coral reefs, manages to give ultra-precise descriptions of the key elements of reefs without dumbing it down OR jargoning it up. It’s one of those rare books accessible to all that also raises fascinating mysteries and inspires new research ideas.
Corals are cnidarians, a diverse phyla including 4-6 classes depending on whom you ask— including the important class Anthozoa, with our familiar reefy Hexacorals (6 tentacles; stony corals, sea anemones, black corals) and the octocorals (8 tentacles; sea fans, red corals, blue corals, and more) and class Hydrozoa including fire corals and stony hydrozoans.
One of the best parts of the book separated corals by shape, going through the biology of Massive, Branching, Table, Brain, the bizarre Free-Living Mushroom Corals, and Leafy Corals in deeper reefs. The following sections cover other reef cnidarians, including the weird Black Coral, Soft Corals and Sea Fans, Fire Corals, Blue Coral, Organ Pipe Coral, and hard hydroids.
We get to learn about calcareous red algae, which form a system of spurs and grooves in the shallow reef to dissipate wave energy. Are we already mimicking this in our storm breaks and water walls? I hope so…
We get to see the necklace chains of Halimeda, a calcareous green algae that grows an entire disk every day and — in death— makes up much of the sand in reef areas
Lots of creatures bore into coral— one of the best figures in the book was a CT scan of a bored coral showing extensive paths.
Finally the most awesome part: on pages 94-95, an incredible overview of reef-builders over geologic time. Consider the rudist bivalves, cone shaped creatures with a circular lid; consider reefs built entirely by sponges; consider the strange rigor corals of the Devonian; there is so much to understand and wonder!!!
Corals are cnidarians, a diverse phyla including 4-6 classes depending on whom you ask— including the important class Anthozoa, with our familiar reefy Hexacorals (6 tentacles; stony corals, sea anemones, black corals) and the octocorals (8 tentacles; sea fans, red corals, blue corals, and more) and class Hydrozoa including fire corals and stony hydrozoans.
One of the best parts of the book separated corals by shape, going through the biology of Massive, Branching, Table, Brain, the bizarre Free-Living Mushroom Corals, and Leafy Corals in deeper reefs. The following sections cover other reef cnidarians, including the weird Black Coral, Soft Corals and Sea Fans, Fire Corals, Blue Coral, Organ Pipe Coral, and hard hydroids.
We get to learn about calcareous red algae, which form a system of spurs and grooves in the shallow reef to dissipate wave energy. Are we already mimicking this in our storm breaks and water walls? I hope so…
We get to see the necklace chains of Halimeda, a calcareous green algae that grows an entire disk every day and — in death— makes up much of the sand in reef areas
Lots of creatures bore into coral— one of the best figures in the book was a CT scan of a bored coral showing extensive paths.
Finally the most awesome part: on pages 94-95, an incredible overview of reef-builders over geologic time. Consider the rudist bivalves, cone shaped creatures with a circular lid; consider reefs built entirely by sponges; consider the strange rigor corals of the Devonian; there is so much to understand and wonder!!!
September 7, 2025
This is an illustrated book, so one should not expect extensive text. It covers the key aspects: corals themselves, different world regions, and reef ecology. Beyond that, it also touches on the various threats reefs are facing. The language is clear, and some of the photographs are truly impressive. Text and images complement each other very well. I am happy to give this book the highest rating.
July 6, 2023
This is an absolutely gorgeous book that's rich with both valuable information and beautiful photographs. Highly recommend to anyone that wants to learn more about coral, or anyone that just wants to look at a bunch of pretty pictures!
September 14, 2022
Rich source of illustrations explaining coral and reefs.
February 2, 2024
It was hard trying to read the ebook. Maybe the physical copy is better. The ebook pictures were hard to see and unable to be zoomed in on.
December 29, 2025
Very clear and thorough explanation of the ecology of coral reefs, their current threats and the efforts made to make coral reefs recover. Numerous illustrations that help understand the biology and ecology of coral and coral reefs, as well as admire their beauty or realize the tragedy of their destruction. A must read to anyone interested in marine life and coral reefs. Quite an accessible reading as well.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews