Biological Globalisation. Bio-Invasions and their Impact on Nature, the Economy and Public Health

Bioglobalisation is anything but new. The exotic fungus Phytophtora has threatened European potato harvests since 1846, while the Mongolian conqueror Kublai Khan, as early as the thirteenth century, was known to collect live trees on his travels and replant them in Beijing. Since then, the number of deliberate and accidental introductions of exotic species has grown rapidly. Environmental factors such as climate change also play an increasing role. This book is a thorough and informative overview of all aspects of bioglobalisation. It describes its nature and scope, as well as history, drivers and mechanisms. Using vivid examples, the book addresses which species are likely to become invasive, which bioregions are vulnerable, and whether we can - and should - try to control bio-invasions. Separate chapters address the impacts of bioglobalisation on the environment and on our economy, and discuss, for instance, how virus invasions are threatening human lives worldwide.

Excellent integration of biology, agriculture, medical history, and economics across all types of organisms. --The Quarterly review of Biology