Overview

Reefs are an extraordinary natural phenomenon. Visible from outer space, coral reefs are the largest biologically constructed features known; in close proximity their spectacular beauty and abundance of life is dazzling. Reefs are estimated to occupy only a small percentage of the oceans, but their importance to the marine environment is many-faceted and global. Reefs create harbours and allow the development of shallow basins with associated mangrove or seargrass communities; they protect coastlines from erosion; reefs are involved in the regulation of atmospheric carbon, which in turn contributes to climate control; ancient reefs can provide extensive oil and gas reservoirs. From a biological standpoint, however, the great significance of reefs lies in their ability to generate and maintain a substantial proportion of tropical marine biodiversity. This text documents those biological innovations which have moulded the evolution of reef ecosystems and given rise to the highly complex communities found today. The appearance of clonality, the acquisition of photosymbiosis and the radiation of predator groups are all discussed in depth. Throughout the book, Rachel Wood uses data from the fossil record to document the evolutionary development of reef ecosystems. This interdisciplinary approach has the aim of providing an analytical text which will be of value not only to advanced undergraduates and postgraduate courses, but also to researchers in ancient reef ecology. Rachel Wood is Royal Society University Research Fellow, and Fellow, Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge

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9780198577843

Table of Contents

Reviews

'...The historical emphassi of Reef Evolution will probably make it most attractive to biologically oriented geologists'TREE '...of value not only to advanced undergraduate and postgraduate course, but also to researchers in modern and ancient reef ecology.' Ethology Ecology and Evolution

Provides a broader and more integrative level of biological insight into the development of both ancient and modern reefs than the paleo-environmental and evolutionary discussions usually encountered in treatments of fossil reefs and reef organisms....[Wood's] positions are taken with zest and imagination, and logically supported. I expect to enjoy the ensuing debates as much as I enjoyed the book....I have a short book-shelf of key reference works that I consider particularly clear, comprehensive, and accessibly organized, and which I use as my starting point for exploring unfamiliar topics and linkages....Wood's book...is going straight into the short shelf.' --Nature<br> In Reef Evolution, Rachel Wood takes on the difficult task of combining two traditionally isolated scientific realms, geology and biology. The outcome will impress different readers in different ways. . . . Reef Evolution is a mine of information for all who study coral reefs. . . . The book is easily read and delightfully free of technical jargon . . . It is set out in three parts: 'Introduction to reefs both ancient and modern' is almost entirely about ancient reefs. 'Environmental controls' has chapters on physicochemical change . . . and mass extinctions. 'Evolutionary innovation' mixes geological and biological perspectives . . . The glossary is good, and the breadth of literature reviewed is excellent. . . . The bottom line is that Reef Evolution is a scholarly production that carries both authority and credibility. . . . The result should be applauded by all who study reefs; it is destined to have a substantial impact on reef biology and geology alike. --Science<br> In the preface the author statesthat her goals were to 'emphasize fundamental processes and trends ... by documenting those biological innovations and environmental controls that ... have given rise to the highly complex communities found today.' The author has been able to do this by capturing those critical events in the history of life that have molded the evolution of reef systems. . . . The target audience of this book is clearly reef and carbonate geologists. However, I believe that all reef scientists (especially biologists) would be well served by having this book close at hand. . . . I recommend this book as a text for both upper level undergraduates and graduate students. In addition, it will serve as a useful reference and resource for many years to come. It is to be hoped that all carbonate geologists and reef scientists pick up and use this handsomely packaged and moderately priced book. --Journal of Carbonates & Evaporites<br>

<br> Provides a broader and more integrative level of biological insight into the development of both ancient and modern reefs than the paleo-environmental and evolutionary discussions usually encountered in treatments of fossil reefs and reef organisms....[Wood's] positions are taken with zest and imagination, and logically supported. I expect to enjoy the ensuing debates as much as I enjoyed the book....I have a short book-shelf of key reference works that I consider particularly clear, comprehensive, and accessibly organized, and which I use as my starting point for exploring unfamiliar topics and linkages....Wood's book...is going straight into the short shelf.' --Nature<p><br> In Reef Evolution, Rachel Wood takes on the difficult task of combining two traditionally isolated scientific realms, geology and biology. The outcome will impress different readers in different ways. . . . Reef Evolution is a mine of information for all who study coral reefs. . . . The book is easily read and delightfully free of technical jargon . . . It is set out in three parts: 'Introduction to reefs both ancient and modern' is almost entirely about ancient reefs. 'Environmental controls' has chapters on physicochemical change . . . and mass extinctions. 'Evolutionary innovation' mixes geological and biological perspectives . . . The glossary is good, and the breadth of literature reviewed is excellent. . . . The bottom line is that Reef Evolution is a scholarly production that carries both authority and credibility. . . . The result should be applauded by all who study reefs; it is destined to have a substantial impact on reef biology and geology alike. --Science<p><br> In the preface the author states that her goals were to 'emphasize fundamental processes and trends ... by documenting those biological innovations and environmental controls that ... have given rise to the highly complex communities found today.' The author has been able to do this by capturing those critical events

<br> Provides a broader and more integrative level of biological insight into the development of both ancient and modern reefs than the paleo-environmental and evolutionary discussions usually encountered in treatments of fossil reefs and reef organisms....[Wood's] positions are taken with zest and imagination, and logically supported. I expect to enjoy the ensuing debates as much as I enjoyed the book....I have a short book-shelf of key reference works that I consider particularly clear, comprehensive, and accessibly organized, and which I use as my starting point for exploring unfamiliar topics and linkages....Wood's book...is going straight into the short shelf.' --Nature<br> In Reef Evolution, Rachel Wood takes on the difficult task of combining two traditionally isolated scientific realms, geology and biology. The outcome will impress different readers in different ways. . . . Reef Evolution is a mine of information for all who study coral reefs. . . . The book is easily read and

Author Information

Rachel Wood, Royal Society Research Fellow, Gonville and Caius College, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1TA. Tel 01223-335420 Email: rw43@esc.cam.ac.uk

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