The Secret Life of Corals

Sex, War and Rocks that Don't Roll
Erscheinungsjahr 2022
ISBN: 978-1-60427-188-1
Verlag: J. Ross Publishing

Buch, Englisch, 260 Seiten, Hardback, Format (B × H): 152 mm x 229 mm, Gewicht: 553 g

When we think of coral reefs we tend to think of beautiful rock-like structures teaming with colorful fish and other marine life. But what exactly are the “corals” in the coral reef? What are these creatures that start out very small and then have the ability to grow large enough to be seen from outer space? Are they animals, plants, microbes, or rocks?

With humor and clarity, David Vaughan takes us on an incredible journey through the secret life of corals to answer these questions, and more. He shines a light on the unlikely partners that comprise actual corals and reveals the curious ways they live, grow, reproduce, protect themselves, and defend their turf. In addition, Vaughan helps us understand why corals are so important for all life—both on land and in the sea. This generational title clearly explains the most pressing environmental threats corals face today, as well as new coral restoration practices that provide hope for their future.

This book is a compelling and fun read and is for everyone interested in the marvelous workings of the natural world. Dive in and prepare to be amazed!

Autoren/Hrsg.

Fachgebiete

• Naturwissenschaften Biowissenschaften Biowissenschaften Biowissenschaften, Biologie: Sachbuch, Naturführer
• Geowissenschaften Umweltwissenschaften Umweltschutz, Umwelterhaltung

Inhaltsverzeichnis

- Part I—What Is a Coral?
- Chapter 1: The Importance of Corals
- Chapter 2: What Exactly Is a Coral?
- Chapter 3: Polyp the Animal
- Chapter 4: Plants that Grow in Animals
- Chapter 5: Microbes—The Coral Microbiome, Immunity from the Outside In
- Chapter 6: Mineral: Caught Between a “Rock” and a “Hard Place”
- Chapter 7: Coral Growth, the Odyssey from Larvae to Reef
- Part II—Sex, War, and Rocks that Don’t Roll
- Chapter 8: The Fossil Record—How Fast Is the Slow Growth of Coral?
- Chapter 9: Coral Sex and Bundles of Joy
- Chapter 10: A Deep Dive into Sexual Strategies
- Chapter 11: The Fantastic Journey and Search for the First and Final Home
- Chapter 12: Coral Wars—Slow Motion Fighting with Specialized Weapons
- Chapter 13: Cosmic Inner Space and Deep-water Corals
- Chapter 14: Community Communications
- Part III—A New Hope for Corals
- Chapter 15: Yesterday’s Extinctions: Five Previous Episodes of Coral Hide and Seek
- Chapter 16: The Need to Consider Gloom and Doom
- Chapter 17: Hope, Coral Trees, and Bucket Babies
- Chapter 18: My Eureka Mistake and a Game Changer for Corals
- Chapter 19: Fusion and Con-Fusion: “Bring Out Your Dead”
- Chapter 20: Size Really Does Matter, Not Age!
- Chapter 21: Scaling Up Coral Production
- Part IV—The Future
- Chapter 22: New Tools of the Trade
- Chapter 23: Speed Bumps
- Chapter 24: Moving Forward, Secrets, Hope, and More