Coral Reefs of the Southern Gulf of Mexico (Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies) by Tunnell Jr., John W. [Editor]; Chávez, Ernesto A. [Editor]; Withers, Kim [Editor]; Earle, Sylvia [Foreword]; - 2007-10-17

College Station, TX: Texas A&M University Press, 2007. Fine/No Dust Jacket As Issued. No Flaws or Blemishes but minimal shelf handling; Still Gift Quality.. Beginning with a history of the research done in this region, Coral Reefs of the Southern Gulf of Mexico covers the geography, geology, oceanography, ecology, and biodiversity of the thirty-eight "emergent" or platform-type coral reefs in the southern Gulf. The editors include chapters on the biota-from algae to fish-followed by a look at environmental impacts, both natural (such as hurricanes and red tides) and human (such as ship groundings and dredging). The book closes with a discussion of conservation issues, which is both descriptive and prescriptive in its assessment of what has been done and what should be done to protect and manage these vital ecosystems.