Coral Reef Conservation

ISBN: 9780521671453 出版年：2006 页码：606 Cote Reynolds Cambridge University Press

Coral reefs are the ‘rainforests’ of the ocean, containing the highest diversity of marine organisms and facing the greatest threats from humans. As shallow-water coastal habitats, they support a wide range of economically and culturally important activities, from fishing to tourism. Their accessibility makes reefs vulnerable to local threats which include over-fishing, pollution and physical damage. Reefs also face global problems, such as climate change, which may be responsible for recent widespread coral mortality and increased frequency of hurricane damage. This book summarizes the current state of knowledge about the status of reefs, the problems they face and potential solutions. The topics considered range from concerns about extinction of coral reef species to economic and social issues affecting the well-being of people who depend on reefs. The result is a multidisciplinary perspective on problems and solutions to the coral reef crisis.