The impact of invasive species is second only to that of human population growth and associated activities as a cause of the loss of biodiversity throughout the world. In the United States invasions of nonnative plants animals or microbes cause major environmental damage. The second edition of Biological Invasions: Economic and Environmental Costs of Alien Plant Animal and Microbe Species represents the most current single-source reference containing scientific and economic information on this timely subject. This volume reconfirms the diverse and unpredictable roles that non-native species assume as they invade new ecosystems: destruction of vital crops and forests major damages to ecosystems leading to loss of biodiversity soil erosion and water loss. The text provides information on how the non-native species invade new ecosystems their subsequent environmental effects and estimates on economic impacts. Biological Invasions supplies scientists policymakers and the public with a better understanding of the invading species and how to prevent their spread and improve control procedures. . Language: English