By Nazario Rodriguez Jr.
Horizon news staff

Palau International Coral Reef Center launched this week three first-of-a-kind books about Palau’s marine environment.
PICRC Chief Executive Officer Fabian Iyar said that the three books are a result of comprehensive research and scientific studies that they have done since the inception of the center in 2001.
One of the books entitiled "Tropical Marine Plants of Palau" authored by Hideo Ohba, Steven Victor, Yimnang Golbuu and Hideki Yukihira, is funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency.
In its front cover are photos of a beautiful green alga, caulerpa peltada ecad laetevirens, growing on sandy bottom at Omodes and a stand of calcacerous green algae, Haltimeda minima and H. taenicola, formed on the outer reef wall at Blue Hole. On its back cover are photos of the Rock Islands around Mecherchar Island and Ngeruktabel Island.
The book contained all the different kinds of marine plants which were presented in colorful photographs and as a result of the comprehensive studies.
The other two books are entitled "Coral Reefs of Palau" and "Introductory handbook for Biological and Social Monitoring of MPAs in Palau," authored by Charlene T. Mersai and Craig J. Severance.
Iyar said that these books might served as guidance for every Palauan individual who would wish to help in the preservation of the marine resources.
He said that with these books, government leaders would be able to formulate laws on how to improve and preserve the environment.
The launching was done at the PICRC Conference Center on Tuesday night (March 13) with some selected guests from the national and state government as well as from the private sectors that specifically deal with conservation.