From Africanized Honey Bees to Zebra Mussels [2 volumes]
January 1, 2012
According to this set's introduction, the presence of invasive species is "one of the major environmental threats facing the United States in the twenty-first century." In Volume 1 of this comprehensive examination, Woodward (geography, Radford Univ.) and Quinn (geography, California State Univ.) focus on animals but also cover 88 fungi, invertebrates, vertebrates, and microorganisms (the latter are discussed in only three entries). Volume 2 covers 80 plant species and is arranged by growth form--aquatics, forbs, graminoids, shrubs, trees, and vines. Within these broad categories, entries in both volumes are arranged alphabetically by common name and include native range, distribution in the United States, related or similar species, introduction history, natural history, impacts, and management; each entry is accompanied by at least one black-and-white photograph and a distribution map and followed by a selected reference list. BOTTOM LINE This title is a quality complement to Daniel Simberloff and Marcel Rejmanek's Encyclopedia of Biological Invasions (Univ. of California Pr., 2011), which explores the topic through essays covering, for example, invader attributes, ecosystem features, and notable taxa and invasions. The proliferation of invasive species makes this timely set an important reference source.--Diana Hartle, Univ. of Georgia Science Lib., Athens
Copyright 2012 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
February 15, 2012
Threats to ecosystems from invasive species regularly receive press reports and thus generate public concern. Encyclopedia of Invasive Species provides coverage of nonindigenous microorganisms, fungi, animals, and plant species currently found in the U.S. This reference work comprises two volumes: one exclusively for plants, and the other for the remaining categories. Authored by biogeographers Woodward and Quinn, the 168 entries typically encompass several pages. Outlining key concepts and issues related to invasive species, a substantial introductory essay delineates the species-specific materials. Entries follow a standard formatidentification of term; presentation of the native range; distribution in the U.S.; description; related or similar species; introduction history; habitat; animal diets; life history (animals, fungi, and microorganisms); plant reproduction and dispersal; impacts; management; and selected references. Each selection incorporates two black-and-white maps: one of the organism's native range, and the other for the introduced range. In addition, black-and-white photographs illustrate most species. Informational sidebars augment entries with telling commentaries on subjects such as uses, history, and control. For example, we learn that common mullein possesses medicinal properties. Sample entries include animals (European earthworm, Feral cat); fungi (Dutch elm disease fungus, White pine blister rust); microorganisms (Lyme disease bacterium, West Nile virus); and plants (Water chestnut, Musk thistle). Supplementary materials include State-by-State Designations of Invasive or Noxious Weeds, Pathways of Introduction for Plants, Impacts of Invasive Plants, Major Federal Legislation and Agreements Pertaining to Invasive Species, and Selected International Agreements and Conventions Pertaining to Invasive Species. A 37-page index facilitates accessibility. Notable for concise and reliable coverage of a plethora of invasive species, the set merits high recommendation for inclusion in special, public, and undergraduate libraries. Students and nonspecialists will find the work informative and engaging.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)