Approx.508 pages

This book documents and examines the state of health of coral reefs in the eastern tropical Pacific region. It touches on the occurrence of coral reefs in the waters of surrounding countries, and it explores their biogeography, biodiversity and condition relative to the El Niño southern oscillation and human impacts. Additionally contained within is a field that presents information on many of the species presented in the preceding chapters.

Pursuing a multidisciplinary approach, this book highlights current challenges in, and potential solutions to, environmental water management in Mexico. It includes an essential review of current literature and state of the art research, providing a one-stop resource for researchers, graduate students and environmental water managers alike. The result of a cooperation between 35 researchers from seven Mexican academic institutions, two Federal Commissions and one international organization, the book links science to practice for living organisms and their environment, while also addressing anthropogenic effects on our water ecosystems. Particularly the book addresses the following subjects: Biodiversity in inland waters, physical and chemical characterization of inland waters, physico-chemical characterization of Mexican coastal lagoons, microbiota in brackish ecosystems, diversity associated with southern Mexico’s pacific coral reefs, fry fish stockings in aquatic epicontinental systems, a review of tuna fisheries in Mexico, fishery resource management challenges stemming from climate change, aquatic invasive alien species, harmful algal blooms, and aquatic protected areas, related ecological and social problems and the importance for fisheries’ yield.

Volume 3 of Gulf of Mexico Origin, Waters, and Biota; a series edited by John W. Tunnell Jr., Darryl L. Felder, and Sylvia A. Earle A continuation of the landmark scientific reference series from the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies, Gulf of Mexico Origin, Waters, and Biota, Volume 3, Geology provides the most up-to-date, systematic, cohesive, and comprehensive description of the geology of the Gulf of Mexico Basin. The six sections of the book address the geologic history, recent depositional environments, and processes offshore and along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. Scientific research in the Gulf of Mexico region is continuous, extensive, and has broad-based influence upon scientific, governmental, and educational communities. This volume is a compilation of scientific knowledge from highly accomplished and experienced geologists who have focused most of their careers on gaining a better understanding of the geology of the Gulf of Mexico. Their research, presented in this volume, describes and explains the formation of the Gulf Basin, Holocene stratigraphic and sea-level history, energy resources, coral reefs, and depositional processes that affect and are represented along our Gulf coasts. It provides valuable synthesis and interpretation of what is known about the geology of the Gulf of Mexico. Five years in the making, this monumental compilation is both a lasting record of the current state of knowledge and the starting point for a new millennium of study.

The famous Navy manual, now updated and back in...

Natural History and Ecology of Mexico and Central America presents an interesting overview of the frontiers of biodiversity and ecological research in the geographical area of Mexico and Central America. Chapters cover such topics as biodiversity and ecology of plant communities, tropical subterranean ecosystems, floating Sargassum species, the endangered species Dioon edule, Kemp’s ridley sea turtles, fish and fisheries, urbanization and bats, and food and sustainable diet.

NAMED A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR BY THE NEW YORKER AND BOOKLIST The story of the urgent fight to save coral reefs, and why it matters to us all Coral reefs are a microcosm of our planet: extraordinarily diverse, deeply interconnected, and full of wonders. When they’re thriving, these fairy gardens hidden beneath the ocean’s surface burst with color and life. They sustain bountiful ecosystems and protect vulnerable coasts. Corals themselves are evolutionary marvels that build elaborate limestone formations from their collective skeletons, broker symbiotic relationships with algae, and manufacture their own fluorescent sunblock. But corals across the planet are in the middle of an unprecedented die-off, beset by warming oceans, pollution, damage by humans, and a devastating pandemic. Juli Berwald fell in love with coral reefs as a marine biology student, entranced by their beauty and complexity. Alarmed by their peril, she traveled the world to discover how to prevent their loss. She met scientists and activists operating in emergency mode, doing everything they can think of to prevent coral reefs from disappearing forever. She was so amazed by the ingenuity of these last-ditch efforts that she joined in rescue missions, unexpected partnerships, and risky experiments, and helped rebuild reefs with rebar and zip ties. Life on the Rocks is an inspiring, lucid, meditative ode to the reefs and the undaunted scientists working to save them against almost impossible odds. As she also attempts to help her daughter in her struggle with mental illness, Berwald explores what it means to keep fighting a battle whose outcome is uncertain. She contemplates the inevitable grief of climate change and the beauty of small victories.

The first volume contains species accounts of the venomous lizards and elapid and viperid snakes found north of Mexico's twenty-fifth parallel. Volume two covers the twenty-one species of rattlesnakes found in the United States, Canada, and northern Mexico.