Coral Reefs of the Indian Ocean : Their Ecology and Conservation

Coral reefs are among Earth's most diverse, productive, and beautiful ecosystems, but until recently, their ecology and the means to manage them have been poorly understood and documented. In response to the inadequate information base for coral reefs, this book reviews the ecological and conservation status of coral reefs of the Western Indian Ocean, bringing together presentations of the region's leading scientists and managers working on coral reefs. Coral Reefs of the Indian Ocean: Their Ecology and Conservation starts with a general overview of the biogeography of the region and a historical account of attempts to conserve this ecosystem. It goes on to describe the state of the reefs in each of the countries with coral reefs, and it concludes with a series of management case studies. The book also summarizes most of the existing ecological information on reefs in this region and efforts at management, making it useful for students, teachers, and investigators interested in tropical or marine ecology, conservation biology and management, and environmental sciences. Coral reefs of the western Indian Ocean: an overview / C.R.C. Sheppard Coral reef use and conservation / T.R. McClanahan South African coral communities / M.H. Schleyer Coral reefs of Mozambique / M.J. Rodrigues, H. Motta, M.W. Whittington, M. Schleyer Southern Tanzania / W.R.T. Darwall, M. Guard Northern Tanzania, Zanzibar and Pemba / J.C. Horrill, A.T. Kamukuru, Y.D. Mgaya, M. Risk Kenya / D.O. Obura, N.A. Muthiga, M. Watson The Red Sea / D. Medio, C.R.C. Sheppard, J. Gasgoine Reefs and coral communities of the Arabian Gulf and Arabian Sea / C.R.C. Sheppard, S.C. Wilson, R.V. Salm, D. Dixon India and Sri Lanka / G. Bakus, R. Arthur, S.U.K. Ekaratne, S.S. Jinendradasa The Maldives: a nation of atolls The Mascarene Islands / O. Naim, P. Cuet, V. Mangar The Seychelles / S. Jennings, S. Marshall, P. Cuet, O. Naim The coral reefs of Madagascar / C. Gabrié, P. Vasseur, H. Randriamiarana, J. Maharavo, E. Mara The Chagos Archipelago / C.R.C. Sheppard Management: status and case studies / N. Muthiga, S. Riedmiller, R. van der Elst, J. Mann-Lang, C. Horrill, T.R. McClanahan. Accessible and complex, coral reefs are ideal natural laboratories for studying a wide range of ecological and biological questions. This collection focuses on the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea, which contain some of the most spectacular reefs found anywhere and which are relatively little studied. It will appeal to a broad range of researchers in ecology and will be an essential resource for anyone studying reefs. Coral reefs of the Indian Ocean exist in a very wide range of environments.