Overview

Reef. The very word conjures up restful, tropical images wrapped in warmth and displayed in shimmering colours. So it is with this book, a series of reef images, past and present brought to life by thoughtful and probing analysis. Ever since Darwin reported on his investigations of far-flung reefs, these structures have held an unending fascination for earth scientists. The fact that their fossil predecessors contain a wealth of information about past life and can be filled with hydrocarbons, means that they will always be subjects of legitimate scientific study. This book acts as a report on the status of reefs and reef research at the beginning of the 21st century. Although the perspective is geological, the articles are multidisciplinary, and so the book is a treasure-trove for biologists, ecologists and oceanographers. It brings together, in one place, papers by the experts who have for many years sought to understand the nature of reefs in different time periods.

Full Product Details

Author:   George D. Stanley Jr.
Publisher:   Springer Science+Business Media
Imprint:   Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers
Edition:   2001 ed.
Volume:   17
Dimensions:   Width: 15.50cm , Height: 2.60cm , Length: 23.50cm
Weight:   2.510kg
ISBN:  

9780306464676

ISBN 10:   0306464675
Pages:   458
Publication Date:   30 November 2001
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Professional and scholarly ,  Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In Print  
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Table of Contents

1 • Introduction to Reef Ecosystems and Their Evolution.- 1. Introduction to Reefs.- 2. What Is a Reef?.- 3. Ancient Reef Ecosystems.- References.- 2 • Phanerozoic Reef Trends Based on the Paleoreef Database.- 1. Introduction.- 2. An Outline of Phanerozoic Reef Evolution.- 3. Reef Distribution Patterns.- 4. Reef Attributes through Time.- 5. Reef Evolutionary Units.- 6. Controls on Reef Evolution.- 7. Conclusions.- References.- 3 • Evolution, Radiations, and Extinctions in Proterozoic to Mid-Paleozoic Reefs.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Precambrian Prelude: Archean-Mesoproterozoic.- 3. Neoproterozoic Reefs: First Calcimicrobes (1000-544 Ma).- 4. Cambrian Reefs: Start of Metazoan Reef Components.- 5. Ordovician Radiation and Terminal Ordovician Decline.- 6. Reefs in the Silurian-Devonian: Maximal Greenhouse.- 7. Collapse of the Mid-Paleozoic Reef Ecosystem: The Frasnian-Famennian Mass Extinctions.- 8. Summary.- References.- 4 • Paleoecology of Cambrian Reef Ecosystems.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Builders, Destroyers, and Dwellers.- 3. Spatial Distribution and Temporal Evolution of Cambrian Reefs and Reef Communities.- 4. Metazoans versus Nonmetazoans.- 5. Biotic Factors versus Abiotic Factors.- 6. Ecological Succession in Cambrian Reef Ecosystems.- 7. Mass Extinction in Cambrian Reefs.- References.- 5 • Biologically Induced Carbonate Precipitation in Reefs through Time.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Biological Induction of Marine Carbonate Precipitation.- 3. Reef Framework Construction.- 4. Nonenzymatic Reef Frameworks through Time.- 5. Reef History as a Tool for Reconstructing Earth History.- 6. Paleoecological Controls on Nonenzymatic Framework Distribution.- 7. Nonenzymatic Reef Carbonates and Global Change: Summary.- 8. Conclusions.- References.- 6 • A Half Century Later: ThePermian Guadalupian Reef Complex of West Texas and Eastern New Mexico.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Early Work in the Guadalupes.- 3. The Guadalupe Reef Barrier.- 4. Changing Ideas about the Capitan Complex.- 5. More Recent Work in the Guadalupes.- 6. Late Permian Mass Extinctions and Their Effect on the Reef.- 7. Significance of the Guadalupian Reef Complex and Future Directions of Research.- References.- 7 • Triassic Reefs of the Tethys.- 1. Introduction: What Do We Know about Triassic Reefs?.- 2. Permian, Triassic, and Lower Jurassic Reef Types.- 3. Reef Biota.- 4. Reef Paleoecology.- 5. Testimonies of Tethyan Reefs.- 6. Conclusions.- References.- 8 • Jurassic Reef Ecosystems.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Jurassic Reefs.- 3. Intrajurassic Reef Development: Faunistic Evolution or Environmental Change?.- 4. Conclusions.- References.- 9 • Cretaceous Evolution of Reef Ecosystems: A Regional Synthesis of the Caribbean Tropics.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Caribbean Geologic History.- 3. History of Caribbean Reef Ecosystems.- 4. Conclusions.- References.- 10 • The Role of Framework in Modern Reefs and Its Application to Ancient Systems.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Examples from Some Modern Caribbean Reefs.- 3. Where’s the Reef?.- 4. Summary.- References.- 11 • Coral Reefs, Carbonate Sediments, Nutrients and Global Change.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Coral Reefs and Carbonate Sediments: The Basics.- 3. The Nutrient Paradox.- 4. Advantages of Algal Symbiosis.- 5. CaCO3 Production and Nutrient Gradients.- 6. Coral Reefs and Global Change.- 7. The Future of Coral Reefs.- References.

Reviews

'[...]this book is a tremendous source of basic information. and a relatively complete overview of modern and ancient reef systems. As such, it is a worthy addition to any carbonate geologist's library. Although not inexpensive at US $95.00, it is probably the best text presently available for upper level undergraduate and graduate level courses in reef geology. In summary, the editor and the authors should be commended for a job well done.' Carbonates and Evaporites (2002)

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