Oceanographic Processes of Coral Reefs: Physical and Biological Links in the Great Barrier Reef

The science of coral reef protection has made significant progress in the last two decades, and this new edition goes beyond identifying foundational information and current problems to pinpoint science-based solutions for managers, stakeholders, and policy makers. The book focuses on interactions between currents, waves, sediment, and the dynamics of coastal and reef-based ecosystems, with an emphasis on the Great Barrier Reef as an ecosystem. Pollution from land-use is increasing, and remedial measures are described, and the impact of climate change is quantified in case studies. Modelling this biophysical complexity is increasing in sophistication, and the authors suggest how the field can advance further.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 484 pages
Publication date: 19 December 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Since the first edition was published two decades ago, significant progress has been made in the field of coral reef science. The need for transdisciplinary approaches to coral reef protection has never been greater. This new edition, now in full color throughout with accompanying animations, goes beyond identifying foundational information and current problems to pinpoint science-based solutions for managers, stakeholders, and policy makers.

Coral reefs are interconnected by currents that transport plankton and the larvae of numerous reef-based organisms. Moreover, they provide food to reefs. Currents also carry pollutants from the land and, along with the atmosphere, affect the surrounding ocean. The chapters in this book provide a much-needed review of the biophysics of reefs, with an emphasis on the Great Barrier Reef as an ecosystem. The focus is on interactions between currents, waves, sediment, and the dynamics of coastal and reef-based ecosystems. The topographic complexity of reefs redirects mainstream currents, creates tidal eddies, mushroom jets, boundary layers, stagnation zones, and this turbulence is enhanced by the oceanographic chaos in the adjoining Coral Sea. This is the environment in which particles and organisms, of a range of sizes, live, from tiny plankton to megafauna. This generates faunal connectivity at scales of meters to thousands of kilometers within the Great Barrier Reef and with the adjoining ocean.

Pollution from land-use is increasing, and remedial measures are described both on land and on coral cays. The impact of climate change is quantified in case studies about mangroves and corals. Modelling this biophysical complexity is increasing in sophistication, and the authors suggest how the field can advance further.

Dimension: 280 x 210 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032340746
Edition number: 2 ed