Alien Species in North America and Hawaii

George W. Cox

Island Press, Sep 1, 1999 - Nature - 387 pages

The world is in the midst of an ecological explosion with devastating implications. Thousands of species of microbes, plants, and animals are being introduced, both deliberately and inadvertently, to new land areas, seas, and freshwaters. In many regions, these new colonists are running wild, disrupting the dynamics of ecosystems, pushing native species toward extinction, and causing billions of dollars in direct economic damages.Alien Species in North America and Hawaii provides a comprehensive overview of the invasive species phenomenon, examining the threats posed and the damage that has already been done to ecosystems across North America and Hawaii. George W. Cox considers both the biological theory underlying invasions and the potential and actual effects on ecosystems and human activities. His book offers a framework for understanding the problem and provides a detailed examination of species and regions. Specific chapters examine: North American invaders and their threats how exotic species are dispersed to new regions how physical and biotic features influence the establishment and spread of invasives patterns of exotic invasions, with separate chapters covering each of the ten most seriously invaded regions and ecosystems patterns of invasiveness exhibited by major groups of exotics the theory of invasive capability of alien species and the resistance of communities to invasion theoretical aspects of ecosystem impacts of invaders and the evolutionary interaction of invaders and natives management and public policy issuesAlien Species in North America and Hawaii offers for the first time an assessment and synthesis of the problem of invasive species in North American and Hawaiian ecosystems. Scientists, conservation professionals, policymakers, and anyone involved with the study and control of invasive species will find the book an essential guide and reference to one of the most serious and widespread threats to global biodiversity.

Contents

• The Threat of Exotics Biotic Pollution: 3
• North American Invaders The Invited and the Uninvited: 13
• A Brief History of Invasions Human History An Exotics Perspective: 25
• Regional Perspectives: 37
• The Eastern Seaboard Exotics Discover America: 39
• West Coast Bays and Estuaries Swamping the Natives: 53
• Northern Temperate Lakes Chaos along the Food Chain: 67
• Western Rivers and Streams Pollution That Wont Wash Away: 83
• Eastern Forests The Dark Side of Forest Biodiversity: 95
• Florida and the Gulf Lowlands Hostile Ecosystem Takeovers: 111
• Plains and Intermontane Grasslands Exotics at Home on the Range: 127
• Western Floodplains Disturbing the Disturbance Regime: 143
• The Pacific States Mediterranean Mixing Pot: 159
• Hawaiian Islands Exotics in the Islands of Eden: 173
• Biotic Perspectives: 189
• Exotic Game and Fish Addiction to Game and Fish Introduction: 191
• Homegrown Exotics Natives Out of Place: 205
• Human Domesticates and Associates Our Best Friends and Closest Associates: 219
• Theoretical Perspectives: 233
• Exotics and Community Structure Biodiversity Bombs: 235
• Exotics and Ecosystem Impacts Changing the Way Nature Works: 249
• Exotics and Evolution Assimilation or Conquest?: 263
• Policy Perspectives: 279
• Living with Exotics The Ecological Economics of Exotics: 281
• Exotics and Public Policy Are All Exotics Undesirable?: 299
• Literature Cited: 315
• Glossary: 359
• Internet Sources for Exotic Species: 363
• About the Author: 367
• Index: 369

About the author

Cox is emeritus professor of ecology at San Diego State University. He is also active in research and writing in ecology, conservation biology, and ornithology.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Alien Species in North America and Hawaii
• Author: George W. Cox
• Edition: illustrated
• Publisher: Island Press, 1999
• ISBN: 1559636807, 9781559636803
• Length: 387 pages
• Subjects: Nature / Ecology; Nature / Environmental Conservation & Protection; Nature / General; Science / Environmental Science; Science / Life Sciences / Ecology