Synopses & Reviews
One of the world's natural wonders, the Great Barrier Reef stretches more than 2000 kilometers in a maze of coral reefs along Australia's northeastern coastline. Until now, no biographer has brought the fascinating story behind its mystique into public view. This book provides a comprehensive cultural and ecological history of European impact on the reef, from early voyages of discovery to the most recent developments in reef science and management.
Review
"The book reflects competent scholarship and will be useful as supplemental reading for courses on conservation in the marine environment. Highly recommended." Choice
Review
"This richly detailed and meticulously researched work is w wonderful account of what is probably one of the most undervalued aspects of the GBR (Great Barrier Reef)-its scientific heritage. I greatly enjoyed this book and enthusiastically recommend it to anyone with an interest in the history of science, and particularly coral reef science, in Australia." Pacific Affairs, Simon Foale, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
Synopsis
This 2002 book provides a cultural and ecological history of European impact on the Great Barrier Reef.
Table of Contents
Part I. Navigators and Naturalists in the Age of Sail: 1. Quest for the great south land; 2. Voyage of the 'Endeavour': Cook and the Labyrinth; 3. Endeavour naturalists: 'a separate creation'; 4. Matthew Flinders: voyage of The Investigator; 5. The reef explored: early surveys 1821-1844; 6. Reef charts completed 1846-1862; 7. The reef as a maritime highway: colony of Queensland 1859-1900; 8. From natural history to science, 1850-1900: voyages of the Challenger and Chevert; 9. Exploitation and resource raiding 1860-1890; 10. For maximum yield: reef biology; Part II. A New Era in Reef Awareness from Scientific Investigation to Conservation and Heritage: 11. Origin and structure of coral reefs: from Forster to Darwin; 12. Darwin's legacy: coral reef controversy 1863-1923; 13. Exploitation challenged rise of ecology: the subversive science; 14. Reef research and controversy 1920-1930; 15. The Low Isles expedition 1928-1929: Planning and preparation; 16. Biological research of the Low Isles expedition; 17. From depression to war: tourism, conservation and science 1929-1939; 18. The Pacific War and its aftermath; 19. A new problem: the conservation controversy 1958-1972; 20. Crisis resolution: formation of an environmental management authority; 21. A new era: research-based management; 22. The reef under pressure: problems of management; 23. The reef as heritage: a challenge for the future.