The World Beneath

September 1, 2019

A British diver with a doctorate in marine biology, Smith has explored and photographed coral reef communities around the world, particularly the coral-rich seas of the western Pacific Ocean known as the Coral Triangle. After explaining the basic structure and ecology of coral reefs, Smith turns to specific reef inhabitants such as nudibranchs (sea slugs), amphipods (mini-crustaceans), anemone fish (of Finding Nemo fame), and the exquisitely camouflaged pygmy seahorses. Descriptions of these creatures hardly do them justice; fortunately, there are multiple photographs of each species. Concluding with a discussion of the threats facing reef ecosystems from climate change effects--especially coral bleaching--Smith warns that many reef communities may die out before we have had a chance to find and name the unknown species living there. The author's stunning photos bring the text to life in vivid colors; a map would have been helpful for pinpointing locations in the Coral Triangle. VERDICT Smith vividly documents the amazing diversity of marine life associated with coral reefs and eloquently argues for their protection. Recommended for armchair travelers and reef enthusiasts.--Cynthia Lee Knight, Hunterdon Cty. Historical Soc., Flemington, NJ

Copyright 2019 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 29, 2019
Packed with vibrant images of sea life large and small, scientist and photographer Smith’s volume is a splendid and thorough look beneath the surface of the ocean. Expressing his “passion and wonder for coral reefs and the astounding variety of creatures that call them home,” Smith relates that, over the course of an extensive career in marine biology, he has “seen fish that wouldn’t even stretch across a dime and others that are longer than two London buses” and “spent hours scouring an algal-covered rock face to find an unnamed relative of the seahorse in New Zealand.” Early chapters deal with how reefs work, introducing elements such as coral colonies and plankton, and focusing on the so-called Coral Triangle, near eastern Indonesia, the Philippines, and Papua New Guinea. Smith’s countless photos of angelfish, butterfly fish, and the like help to illustrate the area’s extraordinary biodiversity. Later sections touch on climate change and “other anthropogenic disturbances” that have caused significant harm, including widespread coral bleaching linked directly to rising sea temperatures and witnessed by the author himself during scuba expeditions. In this impressive work, Smith effectively showcases much of what the marine world has to offer, while also reminding audiences how important it is to preserve and protect that world.