Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 11
 Coral Reefs In The Microbial Seas June 13, 2010
Brigitte Sekirka (Big Island,Hawaii)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
The book is a gem. Aside from appreciating the importance and , especially at this moment in time, the relevancy of it's content, I would like to thank the authors for structuring the chapters in such a way that even a non-scientist like me finds it fascinating to read. The pictures painted in the narrative , the second part of each chapter, provide the perfect gateway to the more scientific body of the chapter.
I recommend this book to all who ,like me, live through their eyes.
Brigitte Sekirka Cooper
Great Stories, Fantastic Science June 28, 2010
Florida Marine Microbiologist
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This book addresses the critical issue of coral reef decline from a unique perspective - one that includes the numerically dominant microbes! By interweaving hilarious anecdotes of life on a research cruise with cutting-edge coral reef science, this book is both engaging and presents a new paradigm to explain what is killing the coral reefs. It's not all gloom and doom... at the end, the author suggests many strategies that should be pursued if we want to save our precious reefs. Overall, an easy and enjoyable read that will change the way you think about coral reefs!
Great book and must read July 3, 2010
Tamer Helmy
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This book is fantastic and necessary for anybody who is interested in either microbial ecology or coral reefs. It has an attractive approach using anecdotes that allows the reader to relate to the sophisticated scientific concepts. Moreover, the chapters are organized to cover the subject from different angles so one enjoys reading the book and in the meantime grasp a good understanding of the relation between microbes and coral reefs.
I recommend this book to marine biologists, microbiologists and everybody who is interested in understanding the problems that face the beautiful coral reefs all over the world.
Illuminating discourse of coral reef health. Must read for anyone who loves the biodiversuty of reefs. July 5, 2010
crashscience (San Diego, CA United States)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Much has been written on coral reef biology, conservation and the biodiversity. The strength of this book lies in its breadth in using a systems approach to studying coral reef health from actual field expeditions. From the number of sharks to the types of bacteria and dissolved organic carbon in the oceans all lead to a symbiotic relationship with coral reefs. The stories that precede each chapter provide a glimpse into the fun, excitement, tedium and hardships of scientific field work.
The chapters are divided into first describing what makes up coral reefs and then describing associated diseases and stressors of corals and ending finally with conservation practices that may save coral reefs for future generations. The authors use a number of field expeditions to places such as the Line Islands to illustrate the challenges in pinpointing causes to the decline of coral reefs. Taking a close look at bacteriophages and the microbial health of corals is an often overlooked when examining corals. This view also impacts what can be done for the overall conservation of coral reefs and their associated fisheries. The chemistry and metabolism that produce an interplay of feedback machanisms is greatly appreciated in this small and enjoyable book.
A book about fish in the sea July 19, 2010
Åke Hagström
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
No sharks no coral reefs! This is a one-liner that will live for a long time. The arguments presented in this book allow you to see the big picture. Based on solid biology, that is, including both microbes and larger animals and plants, you are presented with a well documented and logical chain of mechanisms explaining the deteriorating conditions for coral reefs. In addition you are presented with a vivid account of science in real life. This is good fun and serves to build trust vis-à-vis the authors genuine experience. A strong sense of responsibility towards our common ocean and its future shines through the presentation, yet scientific reasoning is the sole guiding principle for the arguments. In view of the global destruction of the fish community it could, for example, be tempting make a comparison between coral reefs and the destruction of the rainforest. Forest Rower and Merry Youle however manage to capture the larger context and importance of the ecosystem structure by being able to make connections through the entire food-web of the coral reef and not by inference to a different system.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 11
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