Growth and Decay of Coral Reefs: Fifty Years of Learning describes how coral reefs have alternately flourished and declined over the last 50 years and the dynamics of these changes. The study is based on recordings at 30 different locations along the Sudanese coast, visited by the author between 1971 and 1973.
Beyond the Red Sea's desert shores lie some of the richest and most diverse coral reefs on our planet. Over a thousand species of reef fishes, matched by a similar abundance of living corals, creating habitats scientists were only just beginning to understand. The complexity of the inter-relations was truly mesmerizing. A single intervention, such as removal of a key species, could cause the whole community to collapse. Healthy corals were transformed into green weed-smothered reefs, accompanied by the loss of both corals and fish.
Based on the author’s observations of how knowledge and perspectives have changed over the last 50 years, this book highlights lessons learned from historical records that may help maintain and reestablish coral reefs in the years to come.
Topics covered include:
CORAL REEF FISH
Fish surveys
CORAL REEF PROFILES
Coral growth rates
Coral distribution
Corals on 'Cousteau garage'
CORAL THREATS
Climate change
Coral bleaching
Coral diseases
Coral sponges
Terpios hoshinota
Coral predators
Coral urchins
CORAL – ALGAE
CORAL RESEARCH
and more . . .
1. Introduction 2. Hydrography 3. Reef Conservation Section 1: Fish 4. Fish Surveys 5. Fish Recorded at Reef Sites 6. Fish in Suakin Harbour 7. Fish In Dungonab Bay 8. Fish on Cousteau’s Garage Section 2: Corals 9. Coral Habitats: Building Sites and Graveyards 10. Sea Urchins’ Impacts on Coral Reefs 11. Coral Communities 12. Coral-Killing Sponges 13. Other Coral Killers 14. Coral Bleaching 15. Growth and Distribution of Corals on Cousteau's Underwater Garage Section 3: Turf Wars 16. Ecological Impact of CCA, Filamentous Algae and Grazing Fish 17. Sponging on Coral Section 4: Underwater Recording 18. Port Sudan 19. Suakin Region 20. Dungonab Bay 21. MV. Mani 22. Towartit Reefs 23. Mesharifa Island 24. Shambaya Island 25. Wingate Barrier Reef 26. Sanganeb Reef 27. Shaab Rumi 28. Discussion
Biography
Peter J. Vine is a marine biologist and author with special interests in coral reef ecology, marine conservation, photography, and film-making. An adjunct lecturer at the National University of Ireland, Galway, he established one of the country’s first commercial fish farms – a move that led to activities in the USA, Europe, and the Middle East. Returning to Ireland, a series of authorship commissions led to the establishment of three media companies involved in book publishing, film production, and project development in support of a series of award-winning national pavilions at World Expos in Spain, China, South Korea, and Italy. Peter is married to Paula and has three daughters, Catriona, Sinead, and Megan, all of whom, with their respective partners, live and work in Ireland.
