More than 70% of the earth's surface is covered by water, making it an ideal and abundant resource for studying species diversity, faunal communities, and ecosystems. India's massive coastline (5,044 miles) means it plays a major role in housing these faunal communities. Of the 32 animal phyla, 15 are represented in India's marine ecosystem, covering more than 15,000 species. Marine and coastal ecosystems of India provide supporting services in the form of wide range of habitats. Major ecosystems such as estuaries, mangroves, coral reefs, lagoons, seaweeds and sea grasses serve as nurseries for both inshore and offshore fishes and others, many of which are supposed to be commercially exploited. Marine Faunal Diversity in India describes different marine faunal group ranges from sponges, corals, mollusks, crabs, fishes, reptiles, birds, marine mammals, mangrove fauna and tsunami impact on marine faunal diversity. The chapters, written by reputed experts in their respective fields, illustrate diversity and distribution of marine faunal communities. Key aspects of the ecology and conservation of this important ecosystem are also discussed. Marine Faunal Diversity in India provides marine biologists and related researchers with access to the latest research and field studies from this major region. - Provides the latest field research on marine faunal diversity throughout the vast and species-rich Indian region - Brings together expertise from top marine biology researchers in the country - Covers a diverse array of aquatic environments, including coastal and island areas - Discusses conservation ecology of marine faunal groups

Coral Reefs of the Gulf: Adaptation to Climatic Extremes is a complete review and reference for scientists, engineers and students concerned with the geology, biology or engineering aspects of coral reefs in the Middle East. It provides for the first time a complete review of both the geology and biology of all extant coral areas in the Gulf, the water body between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula. In summer, this area is the hottest sea with abundant coral growth on earth and already today exhibits a temperature that is predicted to occur across the topical ocean in 2100. Thus, by studying the Gulf today, much can be learned about tomorrow’s world and the capability of coral reefs to adapt to climatic extremes. This volume provides the most authoritative and up-to-date review of the coral reefs in the Gulf. It can be used as a volume of general reference or as a textbook treating recent coral reefs. Written by local and international experts, the text is richly illustrated and will remain a standard reference for the region for decades to come. Contributions stretch from climatology through geology, biology, ecological modelling and fisheries science to practical conservation aspects. The book is useful for the technical expert and casual reader alike.