This book gives readers a broad overview of the biological and physical attributes of the Great Barrier Reef and, where relevant, other reefs of the world. Contemporary pressing reef issues such as coral bleaching, coral disease and the challenges of coral reef fisheries are discussed by world research leaders.The Great Barrier Reef also includes a field guide that will help people to identify the common animals and plants on the reef, then to delve into the book to learn more about the roles the biota play on the reef. The introductory sections explain the numerous coral reef processes which are responsible for this ecosystem - one of the most diverse in the world. The major processes include primary productivity, calcification and energy flow through coral reef food webs, and these are explained using accessible language. The major threats that face coral reefs are also covered, as well as the management solutions that can be adopted to reduce these threats. While its focus is on the Great Barrier Reef, this comprehensive volume can be used as a baseline text for most Indo-Pacific coral reefs.