Coral Reefs: A Very Short Introduction

Nonfiction, Science & Nature, Science, Earth Sciences, Geography, Biological Sciences, Ecology
Cover of the book Coral Reefs: A Very Short Introduction by Charles Sheppard, OUP Oxford
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Charles Sheppard ISBN: 9780191505232
Publisher: OUP Oxford Publication: June 26, 2014
Imprint: OUP Oxford Language: English
Author: Charles Sheppard
ISBN: 9780191505232
Publisher: OUP Oxford
Publication: June 26, 2014
Imprint: OUP Oxford
Language: English

Coral reefs have been long regarded with awe by the millions of people who have encountered them over the centuries. Early seafarers were wary of them, naturalists were confused by them, yet many coastal people benefited greatly from these mysterious rocky structures that grew up to the surface of the sea. They have been rich in their supply of food, and they provided a breakwater from storms and high waves to countless coastal communities that developed from their protection. Their scale is enormous and their value high. Found in countless locations around the world, from the Indo-Pacific coral reef province to the Caribbean and Australia, they support both marine and human life. In this Very Short Introduction, Charles Sheppard provides an account of what coral reefs are, how they are formed, how they have evolved, and the biological lessons we can learn from them. Today, the vibrancy and diversity of these fascinating ecosystems are under threat from over exploitation and could face future extinction, unless our conservation efforts are stepped up in order to save them. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Coral reefs have been long regarded with awe by the millions of people who have encountered them over the centuries. Early seafarers were wary of them, naturalists were confused by them, yet many coastal people benefited greatly from these mysterious rocky structures that grew up to the surface of the sea. They have been rich in their supply of food, and they provided a breakwater from storms and high waves to countless coastal communities that developed from their protection. Their scale is enormous and their value high. Found in countless locations around the world, from the Indo-Pacific coral reef province to the Caribbean and Australia, they support both marine and human life. In this Very Short Introduction, Charles Sheppard provides an account of what coral reefs are, how they are formed, how they have evolved, and the biological lessons we can learn from them. Today, the vibrancy and diversity of these fascinating ecosystems are under threat from over exploitation and could face future extinction, unless our conservation efforts are stepped up in order to save them. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

More books from OUP Oxford

Cover of the book Practical Reason in Law and Morality by Charles Sheppard
Cover of the book Civil Resistance in the Arab Spring by Charles Sheppard
Cover of the book Autobiography by Charles Sheppard
Cover of the book The Oxford History of the British Empire: Volume III: The Nineteenth Century by Charles Sheppard
Cover of the book Manon Lescaut by Charles Sheppard
Cover of the book God's Command by Charles Sheppard
Cover of the book Greek Tragedy on the Move by Charles Sheppard
Cover of the book After Modernity by Charles Sheppard
Cover of the book Law and Life in Common by Charles Sheppard
Cover of the book Medical Nihilism by Charles Sheppard
Cover of the book Poetry, Politics, and the Body in Rimbaud by Charles Sheppard
Cover of the book The Contract of Employment by Charles Sheppard
Cover of the book Critical International Theory by Charles Sheppard
Cover of the book We Know All About You by Charles Sheppard
Cover of the book Surgery of the Autonomic Nervous System by Charles Sheppard
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy