Author(s): Neil Andrew (ed.); Malcolm Francis (ed.)

Environment

The rocky reefs that ring New Zealand's coastline provide some of our most stunning natural 'landscapes'. From the vertical walls and caves of the Poor Knights Islands to the unlimited visibility and bizarre life forms under the sea ice of Antarctica, our coastal waters support an astounding array of marine organisms. The Living Reef is the most significant insight into this remarkable undersea world to be published for 30 years. The book is composed of 32 chapters which focus on key species of fish, animal and plant life, while also profiling our most important marine ecosystems, from the Kermadec Islands to Fiordland and Antarctica. Supporting the text is the most impressive collection of New Zealand underwater photography ever gathered together in a book. Spectacular in its scale and breadth, The Living Reef is a major new natural history book and a landmark publication in the field of marine biology and ecology. It will have something for many different groups of people - recreational and commerical fishers, boaties, schools and universities, and the many thousands of people who snorkle and scuba dive on these reefs to observe and take photographs.