Coral Reefs: Vanishing Treasures

Why isn't the plural of reef "reeves"? Anyway, the Marine Activities, Resources and Education program at the University of California gives us a good introduction into the delicate lifeforms that comprise coral reefs and examines their environmental importance, warning that if the current rate of habitat destruction continues, 30% of the world's coral reefs will be dead within twenty years. Using beautiful underwater photography, the program ranges from the Florida Keys (a string of coral islands) to Sri Lanka to the Red Sea, informing students about environmental pressures from exploding populations, politics, and tourism on the corals (strangely, Australia's Great Barrier Reef is not mentioned). In addition, the excellent teacher's guide offers several interesting extension activities. Recommended. Aud: I, J, H, P. (R. Reagan)