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.

Coral Reefs of the USA provides a complete overview of the present status of knowledge regarding all coral reef areas within the USA and its territories. It is written by the most experienced authorities in their fields and geographic areas. Stretching from the Caribbean to the western Pacific, the coral reefs of the USA span extensive geographic and biotic diversity, occur in a wide variety of geomorphological settings, and provide a representative cross-section of Holocene reef-building. This book will therefore be of broad general interest. For the first time, complete scholarly reviews are given for the geology, geomorphology and the biology of reefs encompassing a vast area stretching from the Mariana Islands in the west, Samoa in the south, Hawaii in the north and the Virgin Islands in the east. This book is not a status report, but will provide up-to-date information about stressors and the biotic responses of the reefs, as well as the geological explanations why these reefs exist in the first place. It will be an invaluable baseline-reference for all those who are engaged in research or management of these coral reefs or to those who simply enjoy being well-informed about one of the most iconic ecosystems of the USA.

From reviews of earlier editions: "This fine book is an authoritative and comprehensive summary of a geographically and zoologically varied region of the Pacific and is an important contribution to ichthyology. The authors have done an excellent job summarizing the complex and diverse fish fauna of the Sea of Cortez; the illustrators ...provide a great service to the reader in providing their collection of superb drawings and paintings." —Aquaculture "The collaboration of an ecologist, a taxonomist, and an artist-photographer with years of experience in the Gulf of California has resulted in an excellent book on the reef fishes of this area.... Certainly this merging of scientific disciplines has produced a book with a broader scientific, as well as popular, coverage of a regional fish fauna than many of its contemporaries." —Terra "Hallelujah! Fishwatchers, natural historians, and biologists alike are rejoicing with the reprinting of this guide.... Contains many fine drawings, color plates, and photographs; easy-to-read text emphasizing ecology, Spanish names for each fish (a nice touch).... A great addition to your library, whether you want to study fish or just catch and eat them." —Books of the Southwest First published in 1979, this guide has become the standard resource for scientists, divers, and spearfishers interested in the fishes of the tropical Pacific Coast. The authors have revised and updated this edition to include the most current taxonomic information, additional species descriptions, and new illustrations.