This book comprehensively introduces recent important studies on coral reefs from various
research fields including biology ecology chemistry the earth sciences and conservation
studies. Coral reef is one of the important ecosystems characterized by high biodiversity and
the beauty. Coral reefs around Japan are located at the northern limit composed by mainly
fringing reefs along archipelago and easily impacted by human activities. Thus coral reef
studies around Japan have provided important knowledge on basic sciences and conservation
studies regarding coral reef ecosystem. This book would contribute to systematic understanding
of vulnerable coral reef ecosystems due to human activities in the Indo-Pacific and Caribbean
regions. The conservation efforts provide good reference to graduate and undergraduate students
and researchers in marine sciences as well as those who are involved in coral reef studies.
