Growth and Decay of Coral Reefs : Fifty Years of Learning

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 . . . Cover Half Title Title Copyright Dedication Contents Acknowledgements 1 Introduction 2 Hydrography: An Ocean in the Making 3 Reef Conservation Section I 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 II 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 III Turf Wars 16 Ecological Impact of CCA, Filamentous Algae, and Grazing by Fish 17 Sponging on Coral Section IV Underwater Recording 18 Port Sudan Transect 1 Transect 2 19 Suakin Region Transect 3 Transect 4 20 Dungonab Bay Transect 5 Transect 6 Transect 7a Transect 7b Transect 8 Transect 9 Transect 10a Transect 10b Transect 11 Crabs and Sharks Transect 12 Transect 13 21 MV. Mani Transect 14 22 Towartit Reefs Transect 15 Transect 16 Transect 17 Transect 18 Transect 19 Transect 20 Transect 21 Transect 22 23 Mesharifa Island Transect 23 Transect 24 Transect 25 24 Shambaya Island Transect 26 25 Wingate Barrier Reef Transect 27 Transect 28 26 Sanganeb Reef Transect 29 Transect 30 27 Shaab Rumi 28 Discussion References Index