This new volume on Biological Invasions deals with both plants and animals, differing from previous books by extending from the level of individual species to an ecosystem and global level. Topics of highest societal relevance, such as the impact of genetically modified organisms, are interlinked with more conventional ecological aspects, including biodiversity. The combination of these approaches is new and makes compelling reading for researchers and environmentalists.

Zusammenfassung

This new reference deals with both plants and animals, differing from previous references by extending from the species to an ecosystem and global level. Its 22 chapters cover pathways of biological invasions, traits of successful invaders, patterns of invasion and invasibility as well as ecological impacts, economy and socio-economy, and prevention and management of biological invasions.

Inhalt
Biological Invasions: why it Matters.- Biological Invasions: why it Matters.- Pathways of Biological Invasions.- Pathways in Animal Invasions.- Pathways in Plant Invasions.- Is Ballast Water a Major Dispersal Mechanism for Marine Organisms?.- Waterways as Invasion Highways Impact of Climate Change and Globalization.- Traits of a Good Invader.- Integrating Ecological and Evolutionary Theory of Biological Invasions.- Traits Associated with Invasiveness in Alien Plants: Where Do we Stand?.- Do Successful Invaders Exist? Pre-Adaptations to Novel Environments in Terrestrial Vertebrates.- Patterns of Invasion and Invasibility.- Effects of Land Management Practices on Plant Invasions in Wildland Areas.- Nitrogen Enrichment and Plant Invasions: the Importance of Nitrogen-Fixing Plants and Anthropogenic Eutrophication.- From Ecosystem Invasibility to Local,Regional and Global Patterns of Invasive Species.- Will Climate Change Promote Alien Plant Invasions?.- Ecological Impact of Biological Invasions.- Impacts of Invasive Species on Ecosystem Services.- Biological Invasions by Marine Jellyfish.- Effects of Invasive Non-Native Species on the Native Biodiversity in the River Rhine.- Hybridization and Introgression Between Native and Alien Species.- Genetically Modified Organisms as Invasive Species?.- Economy and Socio-Economy of Biological Invasions.- Plant,Animal, and Microbe Invasive Species in the United States and World.- Socio-Economic Impact and Assessment of Biological Invasions.- Prevention and Management of Biological Invasions.- Economic Analysis of Invasive Species Policies.- Phytosanitary Measures to Prevent the Introduction of Invasive Species.- Limits and Potentialities of Eradication as a Tool for Addressing Biological Invasions.- Pros and Cons of BiologicalControl.- General Conclusion, or what Has to be Done now?.