Coral Reefs: Cities Under the Sea (Cloth) [Hardcover]

Richard C. Murphy (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0878501398 | ISBN-13: 978-0878501397 | Publication Date: August 5, 2002

The most fascinating aspects of coral reefs relate to how corals and reef residents meet the challenges of survival and live together. The focus of this book is on how a coral reef functions - the jobs of individual residents and how they collectively create a sustainable community. The author explores how solar energy powers the reef, how raw materials are used efficiently and waste is recycled, why biodiversity is security, and how everything is connected. There are also many insights into the more personal lives of reef residents - some are as strange as any science fiction. By viewing coral reefs in the context of a human city, one can more easily appreciate the creative ways reef communities operate; they neither undermine their own survival nor that of other communities elsewhere. In other words, a variety of species collectively enhances the survival of the entire community. Dr Murphy sees reef communities existing in a dynamic equilibrium where forces of competition, destruction, and decay are balanced by co-operation, repair, and rejuvenation. There are lessons for those of us who are concerned about making our own communities more sustainable. The subject matter is serious, but it is not taken so seriously that it isn't fun. The most fascinating aspects of coral reefs relate to how corals and reef residents meet the challenges of survival and live together.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Here is a scientist, like very few, who you can understand, who dazzles his audience with the fascinating world of the coral reef." -- Jean-Michel Cousteau, Ocean Futures Society. "How pleased I am to see this marvelous work." -- Robert Ginsburg, Professor Of Marine Geology. "...is a gift to all generations who love nature and wish to preserve its beauty." -- Zale Parry, Ambassador of the Academy of Underwater Arts and Sciences. "...is the best illustrated and most informative book aimed at the general reader that I have read on the subject." -- Dr Gregor Hodgson, UCLA. "...photographs are consistently exquisite...fascinating and accurate..." -- Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, Centre For Marine Studies, University Of Queensland. "...sophisticated, scientific and up-to-date...yet...readily accessible to school children and the general public..." -- Donald Potts, Professor Of Biology, University Of California. "...succeeds in providing a good introduction into reef ecology." -- Choice. "...people might make their own communities more sustainable if they imitated the Plato-like republics of coral reefs." -- Natural History. "Informative and attractive... it presents thereader with fascinating glimpses into the structural diversity of reef animals and of intriguing aspects of their biology, illustrated by many magnificent photographs" -- The Naturalist, Autumn 2004.

About the Author

RICHARD C. MURPHY, Ph.D., is a marine biologist, educa-tor, writer, and photographer. His association with Jacques-Yves Cousteau and his son, Jean-Michel, began in 1968. As chief scientist and expedition researcher, he has worked in some of the most remote regions of the world studying how ecosystems function and how humans interact with the natural system. Richard is presently Vice President of Science and Education for Ocean Futures Society. His focus is sustainable resource man-agement in developing countries and the creation of environ-mental educational programs for young people. Drawing on more than 30 years of exploration and study of a wide variety of eco-systems and cultures, Dr. Murphy states, "I believe a better un-derstanding of how nature works can promote a better apprecia-tion of the value of our natural heritage and help guide the next generation in living more sustainably on the planet." He is physically as well as intellectually dedicated to the sea and his passions include diving, surfing, and kite boarding.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 177 pages
• Publisher: Darwin Press, Incorporated (August 5, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0878501398
• ISBN-13: 978-0878501397
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 10.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #190,662 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #2 in Books > Science & Math > Nature & Ecology > Oceans & Seas > Coral Reefs
  • #62 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Biological Sciences > Biology > Marine Biology

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enchanting introduction to coral reefs, with wonderful pictures, February 14, 2011

By 

Thooz (New England USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Coral Reefs: Cities Under the Sea (Casebound hardback) (Hardcover)

Murphy's snapshot of life in coral reefs--organized in chapters with such titles as "Public Health," "Advertising" and "Personal Lives" (in keeping with presenting the reef as a city)--is easy to follow and fascinating. It is a great book for those unfamiliar with reefs, who desire a clear introduction to, for instance, the symbiotic relationship between coral and algae and the basic functions of sponges, worms, etc. on the reef. Every page is accompanied by breathtaking color photographs.

His parallels to human cities and their lessons on sustainability can be slightly obvious, but these segues are brief and are more than made up for by his oftentimes humorous, enthusiastic text.