Take a breathtaking plunge into the colorful world of the Coral Triangle, the waters that cradle Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste. One of the world’s most mature reef networks, home to 30 percent of all the world’s coral, this magnificent marine expanse boasts the highest diversity of coral and fish species on the planet. Underwater photographer Chris Leidy beautifully captures a vision of this wonderland through his lens and conveys the inherent complexities of each singular, fleeting scene, illustrating the vital magic of the Coral Triangle.
"Endlessly fascinating, unpretentiously educational, thoughtfully accessible and beautifully presented" - Alex Tattersall, award-winning underwater photographer and the founder of Underwater Visions. The Coral Triangle, straddling the confluence of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, harbours the greatest biodiversity of marine life on the planet. It is home to a wondrous variety, including 75% of the world's coral species and around 2500 species of fish. The biological and environmental diversity is driven by the volcanically active and complex geology of the so called 'Ring of Fire'. Habitats range from underwater slopes of volcanic black sand to extensive coral reefs in atolls and vast calderas. While clearly vulnerable to increasing global threats such as climate change, pollution and overfishing, the Coral Triangle currently features some the richest coral reefs in the world. With stunning photography supported by an engaging and accessible text, this book highlights and celebrates this biodiversity along with the underlying message that it needs our care and protection before it is too late.
Published in association with WWF-Malaysia, this important book describes the uniqueness of the Coral Triangle region's marine biodiversity, its conservation importance and the stories, successes and struggles of the drive to maintain its rich biodiversity. The book gives a big-picture overview of threats and solutions and up-close and personal experiences from the ground and the people affected by conservation. The stories come from the work that WWF-Malaysia and USAID Coral Triangle Support Partnership are carrying out in the region. Chapters cover the rich habitats of the Coral Triangle and the endangered species, as well as an in-depth survey of each of the countries of the area. As the earth's single greatest repository of marine life, the Coral Triangle is also a great draw for SCUBA divers. For each of the countries covered, top dive sites are listed.Stunning illustrated with Eric Madeja's photographs, this book is a visual feast as well as an essential read.
Nudibranchs of the Coral Triangle became the only guide to nudibranchs on the market with an up-to-date 2022 taxonomy after its major update (November 2022) This book is a field guide, an assistant for the identification of nudibranchs species in the region. It is designed for divers, underwater photographers. The book presents 1060+ species nudibranchs that can be found and photographed in depths and regions accessible to recreational diving. Photographs, showing color variations and age differences are included. A lot of species covered by this guide have never before appeared in field guides or popular books. Compact text blocks provide information about Common name, Latin name, family, geographic distribution, size, and the most distinctive features. An extensive photo index at the beginning of the book helps you to find the right group of nudibranchs, especially for readers who have not yet mastered their names. Nudibranchs or sea slugs occur throughout the world’s oceans and are present in many marine habitats. The greatest diversity of species is found in the Indo-Pacific tropics with a concentration of species within the Coral Triangle (CT), encompassing the waters of six Southeast Asian countries: Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Malaysia, Timor-Leste and Solomon Islands. This global epicenter of marine biodiversity covers only 1.6 percent of the planet’s oceanic area, but attracts an increasing number of divers and underwater photographers, including nudibranch lovers.
The Coral Triangle in south-east Asia contains over three quarters of the total number of known coral species and more than half of the world's coral reefs, whilst providing resources to support the livelihoods of around 120 million people. The Wakatobi National Park is centrally located within this region, encompassing 13,000km2 and including a diversity of reefs, seagrass and mangrove habitats whilst also being home to around 100,000 people. The sustainable use of resources within the Wakatobi is therefore of significance with regard to both global marine conservation issues and the well-being of the resident population. Drawing upon contributions from experts in the natural and social sciences, this book offers the first detailed insight into the status of the marine environment in the Wakatobi.
This book covers in one volume materials scattered in hundreds of research articles, in most cases focusing on specialized aspects of coral biology. In addition to the latest developments in coral evolution and physiology, it presents chapters devoted to novel frontiers in coral reef research. These include the molecular biology of corals and their symbiotic algae, remote sensing of reef systems, ecology of coral disease spread, effects of various scenarios of global climate change, ocean acidification effects of increasing CO2 levels on coral calcification, and damaged coral reef remediation. Beyond extensive coverage of the above aspects, key issues regarding the coral organism and the reef ecosystem such as calcification, reproduction, modeling, algae, reef invertebrates, competition and fish are re-evaluated in the light of new research and emerging insights. In all chapters novel theories as well as challenges to established paradigms are introduced, evaluated and discussed. This volume is indispensible for all those involved in coral reef management and conservation.
Reef fish spawning aggregations, ranging from small groups to many tens of thousands of individuals, are spectacular but poorly known natural phenomena whereby fish assemble at specific times and locations to spawn. For some species these large groups may be the only form of reproduction, the high fish numbers briefly giving a false impression of stability and abundance—an ‘illusion of plenty’. They are often a focus for intensive seasonal fishing because of their predictability and because many important commercial fishes form them. Highly vulnerable to overexploitation, many aggregations and their associated fisheries, have disappeared or are in decline. Few are effectively managed or incorporated into protected areas. Aggregations are not well understood by fishery scientists, managers and conservationists and their significance little appreciated by fishers or the wider public. To ensure their persistence to replenish important fisheries in coral ecosystems, maintain their ecosystem function and continue to delight divers, a significant change in perspective is needed to foster protection and management. This book provides comprehensive and practical coverage of the biology, study and management of reef fish aggregations, exploring their how, when, where, and why. It explores ways to better protect, study, manage and conserve them, while identifying key data gaps and questions. The text is extensively illustrated with many unique, never before published, photographs and graphics. Case studies on over 20 interesting and important fishes are included, outlining their biology and fisheries and highlighting major concerns and challenges.
The first and only photo guide solely dedicated to marine animals of Indonesia you are likely to see while diving or snorkeling. Surrounded by two oceans and thirteen seas, with more than 17,000 islands and 5000 km West to East, Indonesia has one of the highest levels of marine biodiversity in the world. Indonesia belongs to the coral triangle, an area with more species of fish and corals than any other marine environment on earth. Inside Coral Reefs Indonesia: The most comprehensive photo guide to Indonesia marine life, covering fishes, turtles, invertebrates and marine plants; Designed for divers, snorkelers and marine life lovers; Features near 1600 species, among them new species and new records of fishes and invertebrates for the Indonesia; All photographs taken in the natural environment, no anaesthetic or sedatives substances were used on animals; Small and compact enough to be taken for your next dive trip
Timor-Leste is situated at the heart of the Coral Triangle and is home to some of the earth s most significant marine biodiversity. This report describes the results of an expedition to assess Timor-Leste s marine biodiversity, conservation status, and the resilience of hard corals and coral reef fishes of twenty-two sites along the north coast and in the Nino Konis Santana National Park. Scientists found an average of 212 reef fish species per site, which represents the second highest average for any survey in the world. Among the more than 1,100 species documented, nine species of reef fishes and hard corals are probably new to science. The editors have included maps, color images, and concrete recommendations for future conservation efforts in the region."
