Extreme and Marginal Coral Reefs and Communities: Living at the Edge of Environmental Limits (Coral Reefs of the World, 24)

Coral reefs are among the most productive and biodiverse marine ecosystems on Earth, often referred to as the “tropical rainforests” of the sea.They provide essential ecosystem goods and services that support the livelihoods of nearly 1 billion people worldwide through fisheries, tourism, and coastal protection.While most research has traditionally focused on reefs existing in optimal environmental conditions-clear, shallow, and nutrient-poor waters-this book expands the scope by addressing a less explored but increasingly important topic: coral reefs and communities that persist at the edge of their environmental limits. This novel volume offers a comprehensive synthesis of current knowledge (e.g., geology, ecology, ecosystem services) on reefs found in environments once considered unsuitable for coral growth, including - but not limited to - turbid waters, high-nutrient systems, mesophotic depths, and areas with fluctuating temperature, pH, and oxygen levels.Drawing on examples stret