Reef Evolution

Rating:
Summary: The history of reefs - a biological perspective
Review: All too often reefs have been described as merely geological phenomena. In her book, Rachel Wood takes a different approached missing for a long time: she treats reefs mainly from the biological perspective, i.e. as phenomena with biological intercations in its ecological community. Appropriate space is devoted to the discussion of reef-builder ecology (clonality vs. modularity), predators, herbivores, and symbionts.

Part I of the book rather briefly (90 pp.) deals with reefs in Earth history and excessively (30 pp.) discussions the effects of mass extinctions on reefs. This chapter is oriented mainly at major episodes of constructor consortia blooms, whereas times of reduced reef growth do not receive much attention (although the discussion of the reasons for this reduction seem at least as interesting). Part II of the volume (40 pp.) is concerned with environmental controls of reef growth and does not provide much new information; nonetheless, these issues need to be mentioned within the given scope. Part III certainly is the most interesting and supplies the reader with several new interpretations of biological interactions in reefs: Growth form and autecology of reef builders are seen in close correlation; the role of biological disturbance is discussed at length; the origins and consequences of photosymbiosis are treated as well as the means and ways of competition among reef organisms. With its 150 pages, this chapter is the most rewarding and well justifies buying this book.

A few criticisms have to be raised, however. The contents are skewed towards the author's favourite subject (Archaeocyatha); the importance of bioerosion is not stressed adequately and remains rather sketchy; the geological time-scale used is a little outdated; and the ethymologically incorrect form "microbialite" (instead of microbolite) is used throughout.

Nonetheless, the text is very well-structured and arranged logically, with meaningful headings providing rapid orientation. An index further contributes to the easy access. Up-to-date references and a glossary for the non-specialist are additional positive features. All in all, this volume is well worth reading from the first to the last page for everyone interested in this fascinating facet of biological and physical interaction. Compulsory for the palaeontology teacher, and at least every library focussing on Earth Sciences should have it available!

M. Bertling