Biological Invasions: Economic and Environmental Costs of Alien Plant, Animal, and Microbe Species, Second Edition

The impact of invasive species is second only to that of human population growth and associated activities as a cause of the loss of biodiversity throughout the world. In the United States, invasions of nonnative plants, animals, or microbes cause major environmental damage. The second edition of Biological Invasions: Economic and Environmental Costs of Alien Plant, Animal, and Microbe Species represents the most current, single-source reference containing scientific and economic information on this timely subject. This volume reconfirms the diverse and unpredictable roles that non-native species assume as they invade new ecosystems: destruction of vital crops and forests, major damages to ecosystems leading to loss of biodiversity, soil erosion, and water loss. The text provides information on how the non-native species invade new ecosystems, their subsequent environmental effects, and estimates on economic impacts. Biological Invasions supplies scientists, policymakers, and the public with a better understanding of the invading species and how to prevent their spread and improve control procedures.

Table of Contents:
Introduction. Introduction. Non-Native Species of the World. Australia. The Impacts of Alien Plants in Australia. Non-Indigenous Vertebrates in Australia. Environmental and Economic Costs of Invertebrate Invasions. Brazil. Alien Plant Pathogens in Brazil. Invasive Invertebrates in Brazil. Vertebrate Invasive Vertebrate Groups. British Isles. Alien Plants in The British Isles. Economic and Environmental Costs of Alien Vertebrate Species in Britain. Invasive Invertebrate Species in the British Isles. India. Invasive Plant Species in India and Impact on Biodiversity. Invasive Alien Species of Invertebrates. Alien Plant Pathogens in India. New Zealand. Economic Impacts of Weeds in New Zealand. Ecological and Economic Costs of Alien Vertebrate in New Zealand. Alien Invertebrates in New Zealand. The Impact of Exotic Insects in New Zealand. South Africa. The Economic Consequences of Alien Plant Invasions. Alien Invertebrate Animals in South Africa. Invasive Vertebrate Animals in South Africa. United States. Environmental and Economic Costs Of Invasive Species in The United States. Invasive Plants in the United States. Rats and Other Vertebrates in The United States.

About the Author :
David Pimentel, Ph.D., is Professor of Ecology of Agricultural Sciences in the Department of Entomology and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University. His research and consulting accomplishments cut across many disciplines. Dr. Pimentel has served on Presidential Commissions and National Academy of Sciences' Boards and Committees. He has authored nearly 700 scientific publications, written three books, and edited 34 books.

Review :
"[This book] provides some excellent examples through a collection of papers on the costs of invasive species to societies and environments in seven countries. … One of the strengths of this collection is the mix of contributions of experienced contributors from both university and management sectors. … [This book] will be a handy source of examples and models for students and practitioners alike, as well as access to a far-flung literature. And it will be a handy reference for all those involved in developing effective responses to a hydra-headed problem. The editor and authors are to be applauded … ." —  Ecology, Vol. 85, No. 5, May 2004 "Of interest to policymakers, scientists, researchers, and the general public, this book offers rare insights into the economic impacts to a global marketplace." —  Southeastern Naturalist, Vol. 3, No. 1, 2004