Nature out of place : biological invasions in the global age
Publisher description: Though the forests are still green and the lakes full of water, an unending stream of invasions is changing many ecosystems around the world from productive, tightly integrated webs of native species to loose assemblages of stressed native species and aggressive invaders. The earth is becoming what author David Quammen has called a "planet of weeds." Nature Out of Place brings this devastating but overlooked crisis to the forefront of public consciousness by offering a fascinating exploration of its causes and consequences, along with a thoughtful and practical consideration of what can be done about it. The father and son team of Jason and Roy Van Driesche offer a unique combination of narratives that highlight specific locations and problems along with comprehensive explanations of the underlying scientific and policy issues. Chapters examine Hawaii, where introduced feral pigs are destroying the islands' native forests; zebra mussel invasion in the rivers of Ohio; the decades-long effort to eradicate an invasive weed on the Great Plains; and a story about the restoration of both ecological and human history in an urban natural area. In-depth background chapters explain topics ranging from how ecosystems become diverse, to the characteristics of effective invaders, to procedures and policies that can help prevent future invasions. The book ends with a number of specific suggestions for ways that individuals can help reduce the impacts of invasive species, and offers resources for further information. By bringing the problem of invasive species to life for readers at all levels, Nature Out of Place will play an essential role in the vital effort to raise public awareness of this ongoing ecological crisis
xiv, 363 pages : illustrations, maps ; 24 cm
9781559637572, 9781559637589, 1559637579, 1559637587
44612906
From endemic to generic: feral pigs and the destruction of Hawaii's native forests
Private worlds: the relationship between ecological isolation and biodiversity
The great mixers: transportation technology and the spread of invasive species
Refuge for the mussels: biotic integrity and zebra mussel invasion in the Ohio River Basin
Rolling the ecological dice: invasiveness, invasibility, and the ecological consequences of invasion
Fading forests: invasive pests and forest destruction in eastern North America
Guilty until proven innocent: preventing nonnative species invasions
After all the sheep are gone: the recovery of Santa Cruz Island after 140 years of grazing
Holding the line: chemical and mechanical control of nonnative species invasions
Fighting the green wildfire: integrated management of leafy spurge on the Great Plains
The search for balance: using biological control to restore invaded natural areas
The gift of meaning: public involvement in ecological restoration in Madison, Wisconsin
Bringing it home: increasing public awareness of alien species impacts in Hawaii
Going local: personal actions for a native planet