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Tracking Invasive Species by Ceiridwen Terrill |
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| Louisiana crawfish,
cheatgrass, Russian thistle, Hottentot figs, rats, and sweet fennel.
These and dozens of other seemingly benign flora and fauna have become
some of the worst culprits in the destruction of ecosystems and native
wildlife in the American Southwest and Baja California. Although widely
publicized threats—such as pollution, land development, changes
in the atmospheric condition, fire, and drought—are frequently
credited with posing the greatest danger to indigenous animals and
plants, invasive species are quickly becoming a far more insidious
peril to the survival of native wildlife. A result of both accident and
human intervention, the frequency with which exotic species are being
introduced into nonnative environments is increasing at an alarming
rate. In Unnatural Landscapes, Ceiridwen Terrill combines lucid science writing with first-person tales of adventure to provide a compelling introduction to invasion ecology and restoration management. Traveling aboard her trusty kyak, The Grebe, Terrill brings readers on a firsthand tour of various “islands” in the Southwest and Mexico—both actual islands and self-contained habitat communities. From the islands of Anaho, Santa Cruz, and Anacapa to Isla Tiburón in the Sea of Cortez, Mexicali irrigation canals, and Pyramid Lake, Terrill takes an in-depth look at the damage that invasive species cause. Drawing on field observations, research, and interviews with scientists, resource managers, and local residents, this book provides readers with the background and knowledge they need to understand and to begin combating what is quickly becoming the most important environmental crisis facing the fragile ecosystems of the Southwest. |
Unnatural Landscapes Tracking Invasive Species by Ceiridwen Terrill University of Arizona Press, 2007. Order a copy. |
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