The aliens among us
Subtitle: how invasive species are transforming the planet--and ourselves
By: Leslie Anthony
Publisher: Yale University Press
Published: 2017
Language: eng
Number of pages: 367
ISBN-13: 9780300208900
Copyright date: 2017
Subjects: Control; Introduced organisms; Ecological disturbances; Nature conservation; Environmental aspects; Biological invasions; Nonindigenous pests; Biodiversity conservation
Description: A thoughtful, accessible look at the rapidly growing issue of invasive plants, animals, and microbes around the globe with a focus on the scientific issues and ecological, health, and other challenges...From an award-winning adventure and science journalist comes an eye-opening exploration of a burgeoning environmental phenomenon and the science coalescing around it. Leslie Anthony leads readers on adventures physical and philosophical as he explores how and why invasive species are hijacking ecosystems around the globe. Weaving science, travel, history, and humor with diverse examples to chart and describe the phases of species invasion and human response, Anthony introduces field researchers and managers who seek to understand the biological, social, and economic aspects of this complex issue, and whose work collectively suggests the emergence of a global shadow economy centered on invasives. With tales of pythons in the Everglades, Asian carp and lamprey in the Great Lakes, Japanese knotweed seemingly everywhere, and the invasive organisms we don't see--pathogens and microbes such as the Zika virus--this book rivets attention on a new ecological reality.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (pages 345-353) and index.
Table of contents: title: Big trouble : a plague of ... giant snakes?; title: A postcard from Florida : introducing alien invasive species; title: The python's tale : establishment, spread, and detection; title: Invasional meltdown : impacts of alien invasive species; title: The Sisyphus files : eradication and control; title: Sunrise on Homogena : a new planetary paradigm.