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This is a challenging new approach to understanding ecological systems especially in urban and urbanised areas. Synthesising current ideas and approaches Recombinant Ecology - A Hybrid Future? develops an historic context to ecological fusion and recombinant or hybrid ecosystems. With massive climate change and other environmental fluxes, this volume provides insight into consequences for future ecologies. Invasive and non-native or alien species are spreading, often aggressively around the globe. However, much current thinking in ecology and nature conservation fails to accommodate the consequences of changing environmental conditions and fusion of both species and ecological communities. Whether or not conservationists accept ecological change, factors such as urbanisation and globalisation combine with climate and other changes to trigger new hybrid communities and ecologies. Embedding this approach into current ecological thinking Recombinant Ecology - A Hybrid Future? presents an overview of ideas set in the exemplar case study area of the British Isles. However, the approaches, ideas and conclusions presented here will find application in ecosystem studies and in nature conservation around the world.
1. An introduction to the concept of recombinant ecology
2. An historical perspective of ecological hybridisation
3. The impacts of urbanisation
4. The impacts of globalisation & cultural severance
5. Climate change & ecological hybridisation
6. Future nature & the consequences of recombination
"[...] The book is written in a readable style and there is nice use of personal reflection by the author, as well as frequent case studies and useful examples; as a result, the volume should appeal to academics, practitioners and students. The chapters are short and there are areas that could be explored in more detail, with greater marshalling of the available literature; but that is arguably beyond the scope of a Springer Brief [...] and this is an admirable introduction to the topic that should be essential reading. As Rotherham notes, 'Our future will be recombinant and there is no doubt of it.' (p.75)."
– Rob Francis, BES Bulletin 48(3), September 2017
