Oceanographic Center’s National Coral Reef Institute Publishes Book

Riegl and Dodge serve as editors of the book, which provides a complete overview of the present status of knowledge regarding all coral reef areas within the U.S. and its territories. It is written by the most experienced authorities in their fields and geographic areas. Stretching from the Caribbean to the western Pacific, the coral reefs of the U.S. span extensive geographic and biotic diversity in a wide variety of geomorphological settings and provide a representative cross-section of Holocene reef-building.

The book is of broad interest to reef scientists, managers, and conservationists. For the first time, complete scholarly reviews are given for the geology, geomorphology, and the biology of reefs encompassing a vast area stretching from the Mariana Islands in the west, Samoa in the south, Hawaii in the north, and the Virgin Islands in the east. This book provides up-to-date information about stressors and the biotic responses of the reefs, as well as the geological explanations why these reefs exist in the first place. It represents a baseline-reference for all those who are engaged in research or management of these coral reefs or to those who simply enjoy being well-informed about one of the most iconic ecosystems of the U.S.

Coral Reefs of the USA, written by 145 authors, all experienced authorities in their fields, is the first complete compilation of geology and biology information for all US coral reefs. The book is richly illustrated and contains much information that has never been published before. There is also an extensive literature list that is useful as a guide to further study on coral reefs.