{"product_id":"life-and-death-of-coral-reefs-concise-scientific","title":"Life and Death of Coral Reefs - Concise Scientific","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of Life and Death of Coral Reefs the reviewer finds a focused, scientific look at how a thin veneer of living coral tissue has shaped coastlines and formed enormous reef structures. Intended for readers who want a concise, fact-driven exploration of reef formation and its geological impact, the book's greatest strength is its clear explanation of how millimeters-thick living tissue can build limestone structures kilometers thick and thousands of kilometers long. The review highlights the book's suitability for students, naturalists, and coastal planners seeking a rigorous, readable treatment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGeological scope:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lays out how living coral tissue creates limestone structures that can reach over 1,300 m in thickness, giving readers a concrete sense of reef-scale processes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGlobal examples:\u003c\/strong\u003e Uses well-known reef systems like the Great Barrier Reef and Enewetak Atoll to illustrate both massive length and depth of reef formation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCoastal relevance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Explains how about a third of tropical coastlines are made of coral reef, clarifying why reefs matter for shoreline development and protection.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eArchipelago context:\u003c\/strong\u003e Describes formation of atoll chains such as the Marshalls, the Maldives, and the Tuamotus, offering real-world case studies of reef-driven island systems.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eConcise writing:\u003c\/strong\u003e Condenses complex ecological and geological ideas into accessible passages suitable for classroom reading or professional reference.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLife and Death of Coral Reefs is best for undergraduate students, marine science enthusiasts, and professionals in coastal management who need a compact, authoritative explanation of reef formation and its landscape-scale consequences. The book's emphasis on physical and geological outcomes makes it useful as a supplemental text in courses on marine geology, biogeography, and coastal ecology.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReaders seeking a field guide to species identification or a heavily illustrated coffee-table treatment should look elsewhere, as the focus here is on processes and regional examples rather than species-level natural history or abundant photography.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eClear explanation of how millimeter-thick coral tissue builds massive limestone structures, making complex processes understandable.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStrong use of global examples, from the Great Barrier Reef to atolls like the Maldives, to show scale and variation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRelevant to coastal planners because it links reef presence to coastline formation and protection.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNot a species-level field guide; readers seeking detailed organismal descriptions or identification aids may be disappointed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLife and Death of Coral Reefs\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCharles Birkeland\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSubject focus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCoral reef formation, geology, and coastal impact\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGeographic examples\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGreat Barrier Reef, Enewetak Atoll, Maldives, Marshalls, Tuamotus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eKey scale notes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef thickness over 1,300 m; reef lengths over 2,000 km\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCoastline relevance\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout one third of tropical coastlines made of coral reef\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor students and professionals who need a focused, process-oriented account of how corals build landforms, this book offers strong value. Its concise presentation of worldwide examples and clear geological framing make it a practical reference for coastal ecology and marine geology, though those wanting visual field detail should supplement it with identification guides.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes the book explain how reefs protect coastlines?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes; it discusses how reefs enlarge and protect coastlines and how ancient biogenic reefs have formed larger continental areas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre examples global or regionally focused?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe book uses global examples, including the Great Barrier Reef, Enewetak Atoll, and atoll chains like the Marshalls and the Tuamotus.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this a field guide for species identification?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo; the emphasis is on reef formation, geology, and coastal impacts rather than species-level identification.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Charles Birkeland","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48620107563227,"sku":"1461377463","price":272.08,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/61iT4DIvgaL._SL1255.jpg?v=1778454669","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/life-and-death-of-coral-reefs-concise-scientific","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}