Coral Reefs in the Microbial Seas

by Forest Rohwer, Merry Youle, Derek Vosten (Illustrator)

For millennia, coral reefs have flourished as one of the planet's most magnificent natural wonders. As Earth's most biodiverse ecosystem-surpassing even the rainforests-they are home to a cooperative network ranging from immense fish to sunlight-capturing algae to invisible microbes. Just how critical the microbes in particular are for coral reef health is finally understood thanks to recent discoveries. Coral Reefs in the Microbial Seas is the first book to unveil the complete story of how these relationships uphold coral reef health and what impact human activity has on this delicate balance.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Environment, Environmental Science

201 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2010

Reviews

[Diane Gabriel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was incredibly enjoyable reading. Im not sure why it is not more widely sold? It should be? The writing style is not too technically abrasive that non-scientists would find it boring. I am a microbiologist myself and found it a fun read. I do not always find microbiology reading fun (technical papers can get too heavy if it's not something specific I am looking for).

This book is incredibly valuable in the knowledge it provides on what doing research on the high seas is like (not to mention pretty funny stories sprinkled into the beginning of each chapter), for anyone interested in joining the marine biology research field.

It also gives really great insight into how the problem of massive reef die-offs happening all over the globe is a climate change problem, but also a local issue. Sharks overfished for their fins drastically change the ecologies of the waters they have overfished away from. It's not only a larger issue that is political- but it is also personal- as how much a consumer knows about where their food is coming from (and what it ACTUALLY IS-as fish mislabeling still happens) determine what markets they are buying into and supporting.

For a Christian like myself, this is important to know because creation care is a large component of living out my faith in a way that is not ignorant, but is impactful in the RIGHT WAYS.
Definitely worth a read! Even if you are not a scientist, this knowledge is fun to learn, and also impacts out personal lives and allows us to make better decisions that impact the environment, the fish and sea life, the microbes, and even the people who live inland-off the coast of these areas. Its really an intersectional environmentalism.

Additionally, if you liked Stewards of Eden by Sandra L. Richter you might also enjoy this one :)

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great read for anyone interested in both the importance of coral reefs and where research stands/is moving on this topic. Written by one of the greatest microbial scientists of this decade, the book shares plenty of great scientific info with funny little intros about marine scientists at the beginning of each chapter.

As a marine biologist, I am already very familiar with a lot of the info, but that didn't stop me from enjoying the information and appreciating what it will teach others that are less informed, but curious about more than just the beauty of a reef. Also, as a benthic ecologist, turned coral microbial ecologist it was entertaining to read about the "Fish" who aren't known for the preservation instincts, i.e. the biologists who study fish that the rest of us find too daring for their own good, the "Benthics" who count everything and the "Microbes" who need help learning how to do anything underwater except collect water. A fun and short little scientific read.

[George Brett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic for leyman, the enthusiast and the academic.

[Anca starts too many books at once & finishes too few · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a lovely, easy-to-read introduction in the exploration of what might be killing coral reefs. The scientists who do the exploring are also brought to life with affectionate, tongue-in-cheek anecdotes. Not surprisingly to this microbiologist, it's the microbes! But it's a little more complicated than that. Dr. Rohwer shows the connection between top predators like sharks and the smallest, seemingly most innocuous denizens of reefs. The lesson, simplified: don't let what you don't know kill you, or destroy nature's beauty.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable read and a nice glimpse into the lives of marine biologists of various sorts. It is also a nice introduction into what makes coral reefs the wonders that they are while pointing out the many daunting challenges that face them in the modern world.

[Vincent Racaniello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding book on the amazing interconnection among coral reefs, fishing, nutrients, bacteria, viruses and climate change.