Cold-Water Corals: The Biology and Geology of Deep-Sea Coral Habitats

There are more coral species in deep, cold-waters than in tropical coral reefs. This broad-ranging treatment is the first to synthesise current understanding of all types of cold-water coral, covering their ecology, biology, palaeontology and geology. Beginning with a history of research in the field, the authors describe the approaches needed to study corals in the deep sea. They consider coral habitats created by stony scleractinian as well as octocoral species. The importance of corals as long-lived geological structures and palaeoclimate archives is discussed, in addition to ways in which they can be conserved. Topic boxes explain unfamiliar concepts, and case studies summarize significant studies, coral habitats or particular conservation measures. Written for professionals and students of marine science, this text is enhanced by an extensive glossary, online resources, and a unique collection of color photographs and illustrations of corals and the habitats they form.

Author: J. Murray Roberts, Andrew Wheeler, André Freiwald
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Published: 04/30/2009
Pages: 368
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.95lbs
Size: 9.70h x 6.80w x 0.90d
ISBN: 9780521884853

Review Citation(s):
Choice 11/01/2009

About the Author
Roberts, J. Murray: - J. Murray Roberts is a marine biologist at the Scottish Association for Marine Science. His research focuses on the biology and ecology of cold-water corals.Wheeler, Andrew: - Andrew Wheeler is Senior Lecturer and coordinator of marine and freshwater research at University College Cork. His research currently focuses on seabed mapping and sedimentology of cold-water coral carbonate mounds.Freiwald, André: - André Freiwald is chair of palaeontology at the GeoZentrum Nordbayern, Erlangen. His research focuses on cold-water corals, cool-water carbonates, and bioerosion.
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