Includes index.

This title offers insight into the natural history and ecology of coral reefs, together with a first-rate selection of dives. Coral reefs are threatened as never before. The catastrophic bleaching that took place in 1998 damaged reefs around the world, and affected areas will take many years to recover (the 2004 tsunami did not create significant damage). Human impact is contributing to the decline of reefs, with overfishing, pollution, mining and even reef-based tourism being factors. This book will underline the urgent need to safeguard coral reefs - the most extensive and spectacular natural structures on the planet.