Book excerpt: In this undergraduate level book we look at the beautiful coral reefs and mangrove swamps of the tropics. We study coral anatomy and growth and look at their global distribution and ecology. We discover the geological aspects of coral reef formation and look at how simple coral animals evolved throughout their geological history. We look at the delicate symbiotic relationships between the tiny reef organisms and their coral hosts and at the marvellous array of coral reef fishes and their ecology. The book is a comprehensive review of the tropical marine environment suitable for those wishing to read about the subject in more depth than is generally covered in books and also for students wishing to learn about tropical marine environments as a preparation for undergraduate level study or as additional reading for marine biology and general biology courses. The book covers the following topics:* The structure of corals* The distribution and zonation of coral reefs* Distribution of corals worldwide* Reef formation* The diversity of coral reefs* Disturbance to coral reefs* Associated species* Symbiotic relationships* The threats to coral reefs* Mangrove forests* Conservation management