Invasion Ecology [Paperback]

Julie Lockwood (Author), Martha Hoopes (Author), Michael Marchetti (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1405114185 | ISBN-13: 978-1405114189 | Publication Date: December 25, 2006 | Edition: 1

This book provides a comprehensive introduction to all aspects of biological invasion by non-native species. Highlighting important research findings associated with each stage of invasion, Invasion Ecology provides an overview of the invasion process from transportation patterns and causes of establishment success to ecological impacts, invader management, and post-invasion evolution.

Increasing awareness of the problems associated with invasion has led to a rapid growth in research into the dynamics of non-native species and their adverse effects on native biota and human economies. This book provides a synthesis of this fast growing field of research, and is an essential text for undergraduate and graduate students in ecology and conservation management.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“An extensive literature cited section is provided … .Will be appreciated by motivated undergraduates and those looking for a concise integration of this fast growing field.”
Northeastern Naturalist

Book Description

Biological invaders represent a principle threat to the maintenance of global biodiversity, human health, and the success of human economic enterprises. The continuing globalization of society ensures that the need to understand the process of biological invasion is becoming increasingly important. This is evident in the growth in grants being given for work on biological invasions (UC Davis has just received a massive grant to put together an interdisciplinary group to work on invasion biology) and the increasing number of courses being developed and taught. Recently there has been an exponential growth of published articles on the topic within top biological journals such as ecology, the american naturalist, nature, and science, as well as the rise of, biological invasions, a journal dedicated to the subject.Despite this, there are currently no textbooks on the subject. There is a proliferation of higher level monographs and research books which often focus on one person's research and on a particular species but these are of little value to teaching and most courses rely on primary literature and readings.The book will focus on ecological patterns and mechanisms of invasion biology and will target upper-division undergraduates and beginning graduate students. While covering many basic ecological theories, the textbook purposefully discusses these within the unique context of the multi-stage invasion process, starting with the transport and release of non-native organisms and moving through the establishment, spread, and impacts of invasive species.The text will have a decidedly applied tone, and will emphasize ways of testing the utility of ecological theories within an applied context using a variety of investigative techniques (e.g., observation, modeling, and experimentation). It will be comprehensive, but will rely on detailed case studies to convey many ecological themes. This approach narrows the focus of the text, and thus avoids common textbook pitfalls such as over-generalization and factual overload.It is clear from the reviews that the management of biological invaders is an important aspect of the subject that is not covered particularly well in the proposal. The authors felt that this may be the case and were happy to jig the contents list around a little to include this if the reviewers felt it important.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 312 pages
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell; 1 edition (December 25, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1405114185
• ISBN-13: 978-1405114189
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #449,832 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding book on invasion ecology, March 25, 2007

By 

B. Scott "B" (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Invasion Ecology (Paperback)

This book is an up to date, thorough treatment on invasive ecology. It could be used to learn about invasive ecology or for a senior undergraduate and/or graduate class. The book is well organized and written. They have chosen to present many of the main issues in invasive ecology, comparing and contrasting different results in different areas (such as plants and animals). Their book builds on itself, so that as you continue to read, they remind the reader of examples already talked about in other parts of the book. This helps the reader to remember the concepts, and see different ideas from different points of view. They are not shy about the lack of evidence and research for some of the main hypotheses in this branch of ecology. At the end of each chapter, they present the reader with current papers on further complexity as well as companion papers. As a community college instructor and a PhD student, I found this book to be top quality. I hope there is a book so up to date, and well organized for me to teach invasive ecology from when I finish my degree.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very well written, I thoroughly enjoy this book, June 20, 2008

By 

E. Jones (Florida, U.S.A.) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Invasion Ecology (Paperback)

It's very informative, backed up with plenty of facts. The concepts and theories really helped me in my field of invasives ecology. The only drawback I would say is that you need to have some kind of background in ecology or ecological concepts to thoroughly enjoy the chapters. I also bought another book to go with this one (not the same authors) and I much rather pick up this one and read it. I definetly recommend it to others, and it's a good price.

5.0 out of 5 stars conservation biology topic, September 18, 2010

By 

Melissa Hoover (Indiana, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Invasion Ecology (Paperback)

This product really helped with my invasive species discussion course. My professor decided this was the best book to us on the market today.