Coral reefs are one of the most biologically diverse habitats in the world, host to an extraordinary variety of marine plants and animals. They are also one of the world's most fragile and endangered ecosystems. The growth of mass tourism, combined with the boom in popularity of scuba diving, has brought these spectacular ecosystems to public attention across the planet.

Coral reefs provide essential fish habitat, support endangered and threatened species, and harbor protected marine mammals and turtles. They are a significant source of food, provide income and employment through tourism and marine recreation, and offer countless other benefits to humans, including supplying compounds for pharmaceuticals. Yet coral reefs around the world are rapidly being degraded by a number of human activities, such as overfishing, coastal development, and the introduction of sewage, fertilizer, and sediment.

World Atlas of Coral Reefs provides the first detailed and definitive account of the current state of our planet's coral reefs. With its wealth of authoritative and up-to-date information, the finest maps available, and detailed descriptive texts and images by leading experts, this full-color volume will be a critical resource for anyone interested in these vital environments.

World Atlas of Coral Reefs contains eighty-four full-page newly researched and drawn color maps, together with more than two hundred color photos illustrating reefs, reef animals, and images taken from space by NASA astronauts during the 2000 and 2001 space shuttle flights. The authors provide a wealth of information on the geography, biodiversity, and human uses of coral reefs, as well as details about the threats to their existence.

Prepared at the UNEP–World Conservation Monitoring Centre in Cambridge, England--the United Nations office responsible for providing authoritative information on the condition of global biodiversity--the Atlas will be a critical tool for scientists, students, policymakers, and planners at local, national, and international levels alike.

Publication of the World Atlas of Coral Reefs is supported by international institutions including the United Nations Environment Programme; The Marine Aquarium Council, The International Coral Reef Initiative; ICLARM--The World Fish Center; the Professional Association of Diving Instructors, and the Aventis Foundation.

Mark D. Spalding is Senior Programme Officer of UNEP-WCMC's Marine and Coastal Programme. Corinna Ravilious is a geographic information systems technical officer at UNEP-WCMC, and Edmund P. Green is head of UNEP-WCMC's Marine and Coastal Programme.

“The World Atlas of Coral Reefs for the first time describes and maps every known reef and gives detailed evidence of the things that ail them.”—International Herald Tribune

“A magnificent tribute to the mariners and scientists who have devoted, and often sacrificed, their lives to the study of one of nature's greatest wonders. As this atlas covers all the world's oceans in detail, one would like to think it is the last word on the subject. Unfortunately, that may not be the case because the coral reefs are threatened by global warming, pollution and, ironically, tourism.”—Times Higher Education Supplement

“Illustrated with pictures and maps in full colour, the World Atlas of Coral Reefs is a wealth of information about the state of the world's coral reefs.”—Bangkok Post

“Rarely does a truly mind-expanding book come along, but the first World Atlas of Coral Reefs is the most definitive and comprehensive overview yet of a vital part of our living world.”—BBC Wildlife

“This unique atlas, written by a team of experts with support from a variety of organizations, summarizes our present knowledge of the geographic distribution and conservation status of coral reefs. It should be of interest to anyone seeking definitive information on one of the most beautiful, biologically diverse ecosystems on the planet.”—Booklist

“There are gorgeous photos of fish with names like butter hamlet, and of course the panoply of corals hard and soft.”—Globe and Mail

“Offers the most accurate estimate ever of the world's total coral reef area.”—Science magazine

“Unique in scope, this atlas provides cleanly rendered maps, colorful photos, and lots of solid information. Content is detailed enough to satisfy adults with a scientific background, yet remains accessible to high school students. This atlas covers all bases, making it a great resource for students and teachers alike.”—School Library Journal

“Best described as an 'atlas plus'-provides a comprehensive and detailed account of all the world's coral reefs. While this atlas will serve as a valuable reference for scientists, it is also accessible to lay readers and students interested in ecology, scuba diving, marine biology, geography, or just good photographs. A number of other books treat coral reefs, but none is as comprehensive and as current as this work.”—Booklist

“Filled with the latest research, color photographs, maps and charts, and NASA images from space, the atlas is the first such work to offer an unbiased, comprehensive report on the world's reefs, and it is a treasure for a hardcore diver.”—Charleston Post & Courier

"The global distribution of [the world's] remarkable ecosystems is mapped in [this] ambitious new work. Filled with colorful maps and photographs, the atlas also integrates short essays on each of more than 50 reef systems distributed throughout the tropical waters of the globe."—American Scientist

"The authors have applied the best in contemporary marine science and cartography to a dauntingly difficult project, and the result is a credit to the World Conservation Monitoring Centre. The World Atlas of Coral Reefs is a good example of the value to environmental policymakers of combining the accurate description of a valued resource with a sound understanding of the natural and anthropogenic forces which may alter and, at times, threaten it."—Times Literary Supplement

Mary B. Ansari Best Reference Work Award, Geoscience Information Society

www.ReefCheck.org