The U.S. government defines invasive species as "an alien species whose introduction does or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health." What are these species? Which ones exist in the Pacific Northwest? How did they get there, and what effects are their invasions having on our environment? Invasive Species in the Pacific Northwest examines invasive species of fish, plants, invertebrates, mammals, and birds, such as the American bullfrog, blackberries, domestic cats and pigs, European fruit flies, Japanese eelgrass, Mediterranean mussels, rats, and terrestrial mollusks. For each of 108 species, the book includes:
• Species description and current range
• Impacts on communities and native species
• Control methods and management
• Life histories and species overview
• History of invasiveness
Other features of the book include:
• 20 suggestions to help reduce the spread of invasive species
• Habitat preferences of Pacific Northwest invasive species
• A questionnaire to evaluate ecological impact and invasive potential
Invasive species have been recognized as an environmental issue since Charles Darwin's voyage on the H.M.S. Beagle. In Invasive Species in the Pacific Northwest, editors P. D. Boersma, S. E. Reichard, and A. N. Van Buren explore the intentional and accidental introductions of invasive species. Whether these species were deliberately brought to the Northwest for agricultural, horticultural, aquacultural, or hunting and fishing purposes, or accidentally introduced as stowaways and contaminants, knowledge about them is integral to the protection of our environment.
