Coral Reefs is an in-depth tour of the biological and physical processes active in modern reef systems to provide a detailed understanding of the ecology of the individual organisms and the complex nature of their interactions within the reef community. Evolution of the reef community is examined, ranging from the crude framework structures formed over one billion years ago by primitive algae to luxuriant and diversified reefs of the modern-day oceans. The implications of man's intervention in the Earth's hydrosphere and atmosphere on the character of future reef communities are also considered.