Some 10 percent of the world's reefs, we learn in Davidson's pages, are already damaged beyond recovery, and another 30 percent are in grave danger of joining them. In this work of scientific journalism, Osha Gray Davidson surveys the condition of the world's great coral-reef systems, which offer habitat to countless diverse species of marine life. Combining firsthand travel narrative w
Some 10 percent of the world's reefs, we learn in Davidson's pages, are already damaged beyond recovery, and another 30 percent are in grave danger of joining them. In this work of scientific journalism, Osha Gray Davidson surveys the condition of the world's great coral-reef systems, which offer habitat to countless diverse species of marine life. Combining firsthand travel narrative with abundant documentary research, Davidson makes a good case for the importance of conserving the reefs that remain. Many of those systems are now threatened by development--some, ironically, by the construction of resorts for the ecotourism market. --Gregory McNamee. Others have been destroyed by the fishing industry's use of dynamite and cyanide to bring in catchesDavidson's history begins with this deceptively diminutive hybrid, the engine behind the construction of the limestone-based coral structure. As sources of food (many islands rely on reefs for all their protein), medicine (corals are used in bone grafts and to fight cancer and leukemia), and detailed insight into the history of climatic conditions, coral reefs are critically important to human life on Earth. It is also, apparently, in our nature to destroy that which we hold in awe." --from The Enchanted Braid
Of the myriad ecosystems populating the underwater world, coral reefs are by far the most complex. "There is a word for what Darwin and the rest of us have felt when in the presence of the reef: 'awe.' Confronted with the reef, awe is the most appropriate response. In fact, until the advent of scuba diving just fifty years ago, corals have been among the last natural histories to be extensively explored. The reef is, after all, the "soul of the sea," the spawning ground for tens of thousands of marine species. The high passion with which scientists have greeted this particular investigation --beginning with No President before or since Monroe had the ability to mobilize individuals. This volume is truly one that will stand the test of time as a eulogy to love and love's loss, and I strongly recommend it to those who seek to delve into the lesser seen side of truly romantic poetry.. It allows those unfamiliar with the world of science to observe the give and take, the wars, the collaborations and the pure luck required in the advancement toward the truth. Not that I don't use it, on the contrary, I use it at least once a week. I like to buy books in Amazon.com because is easy and there are a lot of good options. With most lighter mediums, the dot to dots might not be visible on some pages. The father had sought a single condition when he began the purchase of the Charles Krug Winery--(page 23): "Robert and Peter must work together to build the business." The promise failed.After he left Charles Krug, Robert Mondavi engaged in a legal scorched earth policy against his brother and mother (who sided with Peter). Cool book.. The pictures of the cats are cute, and they’re made even cuter by the drawings over them. Though they haven't survived rapidly warming surface temperatures like we're seeing today.Davidson describes coral reefs as "the soul of the sea" and aptly describes their biology and importance to the ocean and to humankind. Not only did I find the messa
- Title : The Enchanted Braid: Coming to Terms with Nature on the Coral Reef
- Author : Osha Gray Davidson
- Rating : 4.73 (230 Vote)
- Publish : 2015-1-16
- Format : Hardcover
- Pages : 296 Pages
- Asin : 047117727X
- Language : English
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