Coral Reefs: A Natural History

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During the late 1960s and 1970s, massive herds of poisonous crown-of-thorns starfish suddenly began to infest coral reef communities around the world, leaving in their wake devastation comparable to a burnt-out rainforest. In What is Natural?, Jan Sapp both examines this ecological catastrophe and captures the intense debate among scientists about what caused the crisis, and how it should be handled. I would rate this book closer to 3.5. The artwork is beautiful; Matthew Forsythe has done, as expected, an amazing job illustrating this book. The key to appreciating the book is to focus on the subtitle: Rebuilding the World's Coral Reefs. This comprehensive and engaging book brings together the diverse views of Indigenous Australians, coral reef scientists, managers and politicians to reveal how we interact with coral reefs, focussing on Indigenous culture, coastal livelihoods, exploration, discovery, scientific research and climate change. It will inform and inspire readers to learn more about these intriguing natural phenomena and how we can protect coral reefs for the future. We hold swimming lessons during term time for pre school children. Children’s parties are also available in the evenings and at weekends. There are also anti-natal and post-natal water aerobics classes taken by a qualified midwife. On Thursday mornings there is water aerobics class suitable for all levels of ability.

Messner begins and ends the The Brilliant Deep with one tiny coral spawn and how it can grow into a new colony. And what feels to be a simple story in between is in actuality a wonderful lesson about ocean life. Readers learns how coral reefs are formed, why they are important to the not just the ocean's environment, but also to ours, and that sometimes, it takes just one person with an idea to make a difference. News note: Here is a link to a May 16, 2018 news article about Ken Nedimyer stepping down from a leadership position with the Coral Restoration Foundation.Ove Hoegh-Guldberg FAA is Professor of Marine Studies at the School of Biological Sciences and ARC Centre for Coral Reef Studies at the University of Queensland, where he has studied the physiological ecology of corals, particularly relating to their response to climate change, for more than 30 years. Ove was also an editor of The Great Barrier Reef: Biology, Environment and Management. For those looking for adventure on the high seas there is the pirate ship complete with shooting cannons.

The illustrations had me diving right in. They’re gorgeous and immersive. The only thing I was not a fan of was people’s faces straight on. Everything else drew me in.I really loved this children's biography about Ken Nedimyer. The art, by the talented illustrator Matthew Forsythe, was gorgeous and Kate Messner's writing was the perfect mix of poetic and informative. I will be offering this book up as a suggestion all over the library - you like fish? "The Brilliant Deep." You want a science-y father/daughter duo? "The Brilliant Deep". Ocean love? Curiosity about the coral reef? It works. When Ken Nedimeyer was a boy, his father's job at NASA meant living in Florida, and, for Ken, that meant exploring the ocean. Readers are warned that there may be words, descriptions and terms used in this book that are culturally sensitive, and which might not normally be used in certain public or community contexts. While this information may not reflect current understanding, it is provided by the author in a historical context. This is not only an in-depth marine awareness and identification book but is a comedy, tragedy and drama all rolled into one. Unlike other mind numbing marine reference books, this discovery guide puts life on the reef into human terms. Here corals become communist foul mouths, sea cucumbers are turned into hovering vacuums, sea stars are the ultimate Spiderman and sex life with a sponge is depicted as a hot and steamy night with a pin cushion. With more than 500 pictures this book is not only informative but is fun to read as it probes into the lifestyle, bizarre sex lives and habitats of life on the reef.