Encyclopedia of Invasive Species (2-Volume Set) From Africanized Honey Bees to Zebra Mussels

About this book

Kudzu vine and field bindweed. Eurasian Collared-Doves, Burmese pythons, and black rats. The northern snakehead and the gypsy moth. All of these are examples of invasive species that have taken over or are threatening certain ecosystems--places where these organisms never naturally occurred. This two-volume work contains 168 entries on plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms that are invasive in the United States, providing a complete examination of the variety of organisms, pathways, distribution patterns, and impacts of non-native species introduced to this country.

"Encyclopedia of Invasive Species: From Africanized Honey Bees to Zebra Mussels" begins with a background essay that illuminates the complexities of dealing with invasive animals and plants. Each entry provides information on the origins and invasion history of the species in question as well as a general description of the biology and ecology of each organism. Impacts--actual and potential, as well as management strategies--are addressed. Every species is depicted via photographs as well as maps that show its place of origin and invaded regions in the United States. This unique work presents fascinating scientific information as well as valuable insights about how seemingly minor events can drastically alter our environment.

Customer Reviews

Biography

Susan L. Woodward is professor emerita of geography in the School of Environmental and Physical Sciences at Radford University, VA, where she previously taught courses in biogeography and human ecology. Her published works include Greenwood's "Biomes of Earth: Terrestrial, Aquatic, and Human-Dominated" and "Greenwood Guides to Biomes of the World".

Joyce A. Quinn is professor emerita of geography, retired from California State University, Fresno, CA, where she taught a number of courses in physical geography and cartography. Her published works include the "Desert Biomes" and "Arctic and Alpine Biomes" volumes of Greenwood Guides to "Biomes of the World".