Science Warriors: The Battle Against Invasive Species (Scientists in the Field Series) [Hardcover]

Sneed B. Collard III (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 27, 2008 | Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up | Series: Scientists in the Field Series

There are 6,200 known invasive species in the United States, and scientists are scrambling to stop their unique paths of destruction, which can take a huge toll on regional economies and ecosystems. To effectively combat an invader, scientists must know the organism inside and out: What does it eat? How does it reproduce? What was its environment like in its native home? There are many questions, but just one right answer might yield a weakness in the enemy. In this entry in the Scientists in the Field series, Sneed B. Collard III introduces readers to some of the most brilliant minds, and promising advances, in the war against invasive species.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5–8—This photo-filled book explores the work of American scientists battling invasive species. Focusing on brown tree snakes, melaleuca trees, red imported fire ants, and zebra mussels, Collard explores how teams of scientists have made inroads against the destruction of habitat by these invaders. Large, sharp photos, maps, and sidebars punctuate information about how the pests arrived, the extent of their damage, and the work that has been done to eradicate them. The chapter on fire ants is notable for its delightfully ghoulish solution of introducing flies that lay their eggs in the ants so that their offspring can eat the ants alive from the inside out. Although all of the lead scientists on these projects happen to be men, care has been made to include photos of women involved in the work. There is no table of contents, but the fine glossary, list of Web sites, and index will aid researchers.—Ellen Heath, Easton Area Public Library, Easton, PA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

There are 6,200 invasive species in the U.S., and, as Collard points out, “Some are pleasing to look at; others are hideous.” The “hideous” end of the spectrum gets plenty of space with this sharply written and executed entry in the Scientists in the Field series, although equal time is given to both plant and animals. An exciting first page introduces us to the brown tree snake, the two following chapters focus on the red imported fire ant and the melaleuca tree, and the concluding chapter discusses what can be done to stem the deadly influx. The ants steal the show: super-close-up photos capture their swarming, maps sketch out their infestation, and a subsection details how the phorid fly actually emerges from the head of an ant. It’s plenty gross and very exciting, but Collard makes sure readers realize it is not a laughing matter: invasive species cost us $137 billion annually, all the more reason for the back matter describing how readers can help the cause. Grades 5-8. --Daniel Kraus

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children (October 27, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0618756361
• ISBN-13: 978-0618756360
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 11.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #227,330 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #55 in Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Nature > Forests & Trees

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