Prologue
1 The last best place on earth
Great Barrier Reef
2 Reading the vital signs: Oxygen
Gulf of Mexico
3 Reading the vital signs: pH
Puerto Rico
4 Reading the vital signs: Metabolism
Plymouth, England
5 Reading the vital signs: Fecundity
Panama
6 Reading the vital signs: Life force
Halifax, Canada
7 Reading the vital signs: Medical history
Spain
8 Reading the vital sign that is China
Haikou City
9 Reading the vital signs: Adaptability
Zanzibar
10 Finding hope
The Dry Tortugas
Epilogue: A call for wisdom
Acknowledgments
Selected bibliography
Index