1 Introduction to Reef Ecosystems and Their Evolution. - 1. Introduction to Reefs. - 2. What Is a Reef?. - 3. Ancient Reef Ecosystems. - References. - 2 Phanerozoic Reef Trends Based on the Paleoreef Database. - 1. Introduction. - 2. An Outline of Phanerozoic Reef Evolution. - 3. Reef Distribution Patterns. - 4. Reef Attributes through Time. - 5. Reef Evolutionary Units. - 6. Controls on Reef Evolution. - 7. Conclusions. - References. - 3 Evolution Radiations and Extinctions in Proterozoic to Mid-Paleozoic Reefs. - 1. Introduction. - 2. Precambrian Prelude: Archean-Mesoproterozoic. - 3. Neoproterozoic Reefs: First Calcimicrobes (1000-544 Ma). - 4. Cambrian Reefs: Start of Metazoan Reef Components. - 5. Ordovician Radiation and Terminal Ordovician Decline. - 6. Reefs in the Silurian-Devonian: Maximal Greenhouse. - 7. Collapse of the Mid-Paleozoic Reef Ecosystem: The Frasnian-Famennian Mass Extinctions. - 8. Summary. - References. - 4 Paleoecology of Cambrian Reef Ecosystems. - 1. Introduction. - 2. Builders Destroyers and Dwellers. - 3. Spatial Distribution and Temporal Evolution of Cambrian Reefs and Reef Communities. - 4. Metazoans versus Nonmetazoans. - 5. Biotic Factors versus Abiotic Factors. - 6. Ecological Succession in Cambrian Reef Ecosystems. - 7. Mass Extinction in Cambrian Reefs. - References. - 5 Biologically Induced Carbonate Precipitation in Reefs through Time. - 1. Introduction. - 2. Biological Induction of Marine Carbonate Precipitation. - 3. Reef Framework Construction. - 4. Nonenzymatic Reef Frameworks through Time. - 5. Reef History as a Tool for Reconstructing Earth History. - 6. Paleoecological Controls on Nonenzymatic Framework Distribution. - 7. Nonenzymatic Reef Carbonates and Global Change: Summary. - 8. Conclusions. - References. - 6 A Half Century Later: ThePermian Guadalupian Reef Complex of West Texas and Eastern New Mexico. - 1. Introduction. - 2. Early Work in the Guadalupes. - 3. The Guadalupe Reef Barrier. - 4. Changing Ideas about the Capitan Complex. - 5. More Recent Work in the Guadalupes. - 6. Late Permian Mass Extinctions and Their Effect on the Reef. - 7. Significance of the Guadalupian Reef Complex and Future Directions of Research. - References. - 7 Triassic Reefs of the Tethys. - 1. Introduction: What Do We Know about Triassic Reefs?. - 2. Permian Triassic and Lower Jurassic Reef Types. - 3. Reef Biota. - 4. Reef Paleoecology. - 5. Testimonies of Tethyan Reefs. - 6. Conclusions. - References. - 8 Jurassic Reef Ecosystems. - 1. Introduction. - 2. Jurassic Reefs. - 3. Intrajurassic Reef Development: Faunistic Evolution or Environmental Change?. - 4. Conclusions. - References. - 9 Cretaceous Evolution of Reef Ecosystems: A Regional Synthesis of the Caribbean Tropics. - 1. Introduction. - 2. Caribbean Geologic History. - 3. History of Caribbean Reef Ecosystems. - 4. Conclusions. - References. - 10 The Role of Framework in Modern Reefs and Its Application to Ancient Systems. - 1. Introduction. - 2. Examples from Some Modern Caribbean Reefs. - 3. Where's the Reef?. - 4. Summary. - References. - 11 Coral Reefs Carbonate Sediments Nutrients and Global Change. - 1. Introduction. - 2. Coral Reefs and Carbonate Sediments: The Basics. - 3. The Nutrient Paradox. - 4. Advantages of Algal Symbiosis. - 5. CaCO3 Production and Nutrient Gradients. - 6. Coral Reefs and Global Change. - 7. The Future of Coral Reefs. - References. Language: English