Dynamics of Coral Communities

The book provides a focus on the rich diversity and strong biological interactions that characterise the most fascinating coral communities. Defining community, guild, assemblage and web, the theme of the book is introduced with descriptions of the dynamics of coral community, especially of the constituent species, the interactions among them, the local environments, oceanographic transport processes, climatic fluctuations and a host of geographical and historical phenomena. The subject is narrated in thoughtfully and admirably organised chapters on diversity, stability, succession, competition and so on. Citing suitable examples, each chapter considers one or more selected principles, theories, hypotheses and models. In this process, new information is provided, for example that 'coexistence competition' can be an alternative to competitive exclusion. Each chapter is closed with an overview, providing a sort of summary. The book includes useful references and subject index. (Professor T.J. Pandian, Madurai Kamaraj University, India)