The Geomorphology of the Great Barrier Reef
Development, Diversity and Change

A 2007 reference on geomorphological studies on reefs for researchers and graduate students in geomorphology and oceanography.

David Hopley (Author), Scott G. Smithers (Author), Kevin Parnell (Author)

9780521853026, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 17 May 2007

548 pages
24.4 x 17 x 3 cm, 1.216 kg

' … we have really only scratched the surface of the limestone upon which the future of the ecological system lies. However, there could be no finer foundation than provided by this book to stimulate the scientific research, and the development of management practices necessary to make sure that there is still a magnificent reef to be seen by future generations of reef scientists, and millions more tourists.' Area

This 2007 book reviews the history of geomorphological studies of the Great Barrier Reef and assesses the influences of sea-level change and oceanographic processes on the development of reefs over the last 10,000 years. It presents analyses of recently attained data from the Great Barrier Reef and reconstructions of the sequence of events which have led to its more recent geomorphology. The authors emphasise the importance of the geomorphological time span and its applications for present management applications. This is a valuable reference for academic researchers in geomorphology and oceanography, and will also appeal to graduate students in related fields.

Preface
Acknowledgements
1. Geomorphology of the Great Barrier Reef
2. Foundations of the Great Barrier Reef
3. Sea-level: a primary control of long-term reef growth and geomorphological development
4. Oceanography, hydrodynamics, climate and water quality as influences on reef geomorphological processes
5. Spatial analysis of the reefs and islands of the Great Barrier Reef
6. The non-reefal areas of the Continental Shelf
7. Fringing and nearshore coral reefs
8. The mid-shelf reefs of the Great Barrier Reef
9. The coral reefs of the outer shelf of the Great Barrier Reef
10. Reef islands of the Great Barrier Reef
11. The accumulation of the Holocene veneer to the Great Barrier Reef
12. The Holocene evolution of the Great Barrier Reef province
13. Geomorphology's contribution to the understanding and resolution of environmental problems of the Great Barrier Reef
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Conservation of wildlife & habitats [RNKH], Applied ecology [RNC], Oceanography [seas RBKC], Historical geology [RBGF], Geological surface processes [geomorphology RBGD]