The Coral Reef Era: From Discovery to Decline (eBook)

A history of scientific investigation from 1600 to the Anthropocene Epoch

James Bowen (Autor)

eBook Download: PDF

2015 | 2015
XV, 195 Seiten
Springer International Publishing (Verlag)
978-3-319-07479-5 (ISBN)

Infos

On 4 June 1629, the Batavia, pride of the Dutch East India Company Fleet, was wrecked on her maiden voyage in a seemingly empty expanse of the Indian Ocean. The question 'how did this happen?' led to 300 years of investigation by those curious to solve the enigma: what are corals and how are coral reefs formed?.

Relying heavily on primary source material Part 1 traces the sequential evolution of scientific thought and practice as the author explores the way this evolution is reflected in the search for understanding corals. At each stage, answers lead to fresh questions that challenge investigators to solve the riddle and new branches of science emerge. Then, with the first enigma finally understood, a new enigma arose. Why are Reefs dying? Part 2 traces the range of problems that have emerged in the past 50 years as marine, ecological, reef and climate scientists attempt to put the pieces of the jigsaw together. Is there a new 'canary in the coal mine' warning of the fate of the world as we know it if man's impact on his environment continues unchecked?.

Inhalt

PART 1: THE NATURAL HISTORY QUEST, 1600–19001. The coral reef enigma2.The scientific revolution of the 17th century3. Discovery of the polyp   4. Origin and structure of coral reefs5.The era of intensive investigation, 1788–1857                                          6. Embryos, archetypes and evolution                                            7. Darwinism: the new driving force in biology                                             8. Reef construction and symbionts                                                 PART 2: A NEW ERA IN REEF SCIENCE9. Field studies and taxonomic revision, 1901–1940                  10. Ecosystem analysis and nuclear technology                          11. A changing global environment: international response          12. Climate anomalies and the El Niño phenomenon              13. Bioturbation: unpredictable expansion14. A new enigma: deciphering the synergism                            15. Climate change and the future of reefs      16. Coral reefs in an uncertain world: the Anthropocene Epoch

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 6.1.2015
• Reihe/Serie: Humanity and the Sea
• Reihe/Serie: Humanity and the Sea
• Zusatzinfo: XV, 195 p. 35 illus.
• Verlagsort: Cham
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Naturwissenschaften ► Biologie ► Ökologie / Naturschutz
• Themenwelt: Naturwissenschaften ► Geowissenschaften
• Themenwelt: Technik
• Schlagworte: Bioturbation • Coral Polyp • Coral Reef Ecosystems • History of Science • marine and freshwater sciences • Warming Ocean Waters and Climate Change
• ISBN-10: 3-319-07479-2 / 3319074792
• ISBN-13: 978-3-319-07479-5 / 9783319074795