Reef

by Thomas Marent

Although they cover only one percent of the Earth's surface, reefs are home to more than 25 percent of all marine fish species. They are the largest living structures on the planet, created over millennia by countless tiny organisms. Reef is your opportunity to discover some of the most incredible wildlife habitats on the planet.
Coral reefs are often called "the rainforests of the sea" because of the quantity and diversity of life they support, and because they are highly sensitive and threatened ecosystems. Building on the success of DK's "Rainforest," this unique pictorial celebration of the world's reefs progresses through an ecological chain that goes from algae, sponges, and mollusks to the thousands of fishes that make their homes there. This vivid collection of photographs, from underwater photography collective Scubazoo, reveals reefs as they've never been seen before.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, Nature, Reference, Photography

360 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2009

About the author

Thomas Marent is a Swiss nature and wildlife photographer whose passion for the outdoors began in childhood and deepened when he got his first camera at 16. A transformative trip to an Australian rainforest at 23 inspired a lifelong mission to explore and document rainforests worldwide. Since the mid-1990s, his work has appeared in magazines and calendars, culminating in his 2006 book Rainforest, translated into 15 languages. He has published several follow-ups, leads wildlife photography tours, and supports butterfly conservation in Switzerland.

Reviews

[Clare · Rating 4 out of 5]

The marvelous photographs in this book show the abundant life found in reefs around the world. From the tiniest seahorses (which I found adorable) to corals and anemones to hammerhead sharks this book not only shows the diversity and interconnectedness of life there but also has text explaining the pictures and explains subjects such as predators and prey, schooling, and symbiosis among the creatures. The book I borrowed from the library also had a DVD which had no narration but beautifully showed all the life depicted in the book as they go about their daily existence.

[Prejudice Neutrino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning images of the diversity within marine life. I now have a newly found appreciation for Nudibranches.

[Alison J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful coffee table book

[Booklover Butterfly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reef is an absolutely stunning collection of photographs of the reefs of the world. There are numerous full page photographs that just have a small textbox identifying what the reader is seeing. The photo quality is amazing and incredibly colorful. The chapters of the book are broken down into Seascapes, Diversity, Survival, Conserving Reefs, Reefs of the World, and Making Reefs. Each chapter provides the reader with engrossing information along with the mesmerizing pictures. It’s easy to submerge yourself in Reef and become rapt with its beauty.

With Reef, you get a chance to explore sea grass plains and other fantastic seascapes that you wouldn’t otherwise get to visit. You will be able to swim with strange but dazzling creatures close up. The overall message of this book stresses the importance of conserving the reefs and not abusing the ocean’s resources in order to preserve this remarkable beauty. This book would be a perfect for photography lovers, booklovers, or those who have a fondness for the sea. Reef would make a marvelous gift as well!

[Adriane Devries · Rating 3 out of 5]

This photography compilation of the amazing biodiversity in our world’s coral reefs is the most beautiful I have seen. My whole family has spent many hours poring over the pages, enthralled not only with the vivid images, but also with the fascinating tales of the divers and scientists involved in the project. When I see fish that cut sea grass clippings to throw onto their backs for camouflage, or crabs that use sea anemone clubs to box their enemies, or descriptions of bizarre symbiotic relationships that seem pulled from the pages of a science fiction novel, I am awestruck at the splendor, complexity and wonder of our beautiful planet. The two-page spread on eyes alone could inspire a sonnet, maybe a haiku. Whatever your theory on the origins of life, this book will reinvest you with love for the miraculous process by which our universe was formed.

[Ethan M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I started this book I thought it would be a book with big text and mediocre pictures. I was wrong. This book is amazing! It has some of the most amazing pictures I have ever seen. I learned more from the pictures in this book than the text! But it isn't all pictures, the book has its fair share of writing, from seascapes to quotes on every single page this book, its loaded with text. This book really has no plot, except the thrills and experiences of seeing aquatic life up close. The photographers share their experiences specifically and detailed and their explanations are always thought out. I've read this book two times and I still want to read it again. In conclusion, this book is enchanting and I highly recommend it to readers of all ages.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

BEAUTIFUL!!! My son and I love to look at the absolutely amazing and gorgeous pictures of a world most of us will never see because (A) we are not expert scuba divers and (B) it is quickly disappearing. We turn to this book again and again to read about coral polyps, pipefish, lionfish, scorpionfish, sharks, octopus, dolfins, etc. An interview with one of the diver/photographers tells how dangerous it is to get some of the shots. For example, a stingray can bend it's tail up over its head lightning quick to sting anything coming towards it head-on, which could include photographers. My hat is off to these underwater photographers!

I got this at Barnes & Noble on clearance for $14.99. After perusing the book, I say it is probably worth 3-4 times that price.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an excellent book of photographs of reefs throughout the world. There are so many amazing things that exist in these regions that most people will never have an opportunity to see in their lifetime. The pictures contained within are stunning, showing the habits of coral, fish and other sea creatures as they exist within a coral reef ecosystem. These photos are tempered with small blurbs about the creatures, as well as insights from the photographers on how they captured the shot, or how they came across a scene. Some of the information was a tad sparse, but all of it was entertaining. There is certainly something to learn from this book.

[Alyssabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very interesting book. It has hundreds and hundreds-maybe thousands- of beautiful,full colored photos of ocean life. many are things I've never seen before and it's great to see them up close. A few of them freaked me (but in a good way)and some made my want to laugh out loud.




I'm sorry, but that's just plain funny...

This was a really good book and a nice way to pass the time when I had a few minutes of free time. It has everything one could possibly want to know about the "reef".

[Amy Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most beautiful books I've ever seen. I also learned a hell of a lot. This book features the kinds of sea life you don't see in other books. There is the occassional commonly known critter, such as a sea lion or hammerhead shark. But most of them are the nudibranch or wonderpus photogenicus (my cat's new nickname.) Scubazoo's images are absolutely stunning. I definitely recommend this as a coffee table book.

[Erica Guzzo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most photography books bore me. The Sea Cube book has been the only exception until I checked this out from the school library.
The photos and the lay out are amazing, and though the text is minimal, it's educational, and takes time to go through and digest everything on these pages.

[Tahmineh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amaizing photograph

[Lindon Gareis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely awesome underwater photography, love love love it!