The Coral Reef: White Star Guides Underwater World Book

For divers, biologists, tourists, and anyone fascinated by the abundance and variety of life found in coral reefs worldwide, this splendidly illustrated guidebook offers the first comprehensive look at these underwater marvels. Over 700 color photographs and drawings, together with highly readable scientific texts, help orient readers in learning the secrets of the sea. Biologists and experienced divers will especially value the scrupulously rendered drawings and charts as well as the wealth of information handsomely presented in an easy-to-use format.

The Great Barrier Reef in Australia, the coral archipelagos of the Indo-Pacific—where the corals accumulated over thousands of years make life possible for humankind today—and stretches of coast along the Red Sea and in the Caribbean provide evidence as to why corals are called the "architects of the sea." The guide explores the 500-million-year history of coral formation together with coral's geography and biology. A look at life on the reef reveals a fascinating multicolored paradise, but upon closer inspection we discover a close-knit and complex series of relationships between

predators and prey. As we learn their stories, we are treated to a host of illustrations showing both familiar and unusual species of fish and plants. The book concludes with a compilation of detailed color drawings showing over 300 of the most common fish and invertebrates of the Indo-Pacific and the Caribbean. A beautiful blend of scientific fact and illustration, this affordable guide is ideal for ocean-lovers of all kinds.