The public's attention has recently been caught by species introduction and its resultant biotic invasions which are major components of global change. The last few decades have seen substantial advancements in invasion ecology which are succinctly summarised in this book. The deliberate or accidental introduction of organisms into a new ecosystem may cause the onset of a biological invasion. These so-called 'exotic species' may establish, spread and ecologically alter the invaded community.
Simberloff structures the book explicitly around "conceptual framework questions," each answering a basic principle. The twelve chapters in the book discuss and illustrate each of these questions. He relies on detailed exposition of examples, many classic, …show more content…
As Simberloff notes, estimates have shown that biological invasions cost the United States $120 billion annually (p 16). The final part of this book (chapters 9 to 12) provides the reader with good nontechnical details on detection and eradication systems of invasive species. The take-home message for this section of the book is extremely important and indisputable—“Invasion biology shares a philosophy with medicine - it is far better to prevent a harmful event or disease than it is to rely on the hope that some prescribed cure will be successful still.” In additional chapters, the author does an exemplary job of introducing the reader to maintenance management of invasive species if eradication fails. He identifies three successful tactics which have successfully managed invasions. The author reminds us that there are pros and cons of the various control methods. I was a bit disappointed in his lengthy discussion on maintenance management without any focus placed on community-based invasive species management which has proven to be the most successful method of invasive species
Simberloff structures the book explicitly around "conceptual framework questions," each answering a basic principle. The twelve chapters in the book discuss and illustrate each of these questions. He relies on detailed exposition of examples, many classic, …show more content…
As Simberloff notes, estimates have shown that biological invasions cost the United States $120 billion annually (p 16). The final part of this book (chapters 9 to 12) provides the reader with good nontechnical details on detection and eradication systems of invasive species. The take-home message for this section of the book is extremely important and indisputable—“Invasion biology shares a philosophy with medicine - it is far better to prevent a harmful event or disease than it is to rely on the hope that some prescribed cure will be successful still.” In additional chapters, the author does an exemplary job of introducing the reader to maintenance management of invasive species if eradication fails. He identifies three successful tactics which have successfully managed invasions. The author reminds us that there are pros and cons of the various control methods. I was a bit disappointed in his lengthy discussion on maintenance management without any focus placed on community-based invasive species management which has proven to be the most successful method of invasive species