Thomas F. (hardtack) -
While interesting, it wasn't as interesting as I hoped. Due to my level of knowledge in this area, I hoped for a deeper discussion of the invasive species mentioned. Still, for someone new to the concept that invasive species can be very costly to various aspects of our economy, landscape and society and must be controlled, this book is a good introduction. It will also expose readers to the fact that some species they think are native aren't.
The author also shows how some groups fight against invasive control, for various reasons, without realizing they are paying heavy penalties for doing so. For example, I was a bit disappointed the author didn't mention the problem with swans in the Chesapeake Bay area. When I grew up in Maryland, the Bay's blue crabs were so plentiful you could pay a few dollars to enter a union hall's crab feast and eat all night. Not anymore. Someone released swans to the Bay area and their population grew. The swans ate the water grasses lining the bay and riverbanks. These were the grasses which newly born or molted crabs needed to hide in and be protected from predators, including other crabs. As a result, the blue crab population crashed. But when state wildlife management specialists took steps to eliminate the swans, well-meaning, but ignorant, residents strongly protested against this, as "swans are so beautiful." As a result, most crabs sold in Maryland and surrounding states are flown in from South America. Now crabs are very expensive.
If you enjoy this book, then I suggest you also read "Nature Wars" by Jim Sterba. In that book you'll discover even some native species or pets---many people's "fur babies"---need to be more strictly managed due to the damage they inflict on other species, including humans.
One item early on in the book caught my attention. The author describes how in World War II a homing pigeon, called "G.I. Joe" saved Allied troops from being bombed by their own air forces. I thought this an error until I googled the bird's name and discovered the story on Wikipedia. Amazing. Still, the author called the bombers a "squad," rather then the correct term of "squadron." Just another indication that because someone writes a book, doesn't mean they know it all. But it also proved the author knew something about World War II I didn't know.
The author also shows how some groups fight against invasive control, for various reasons, without realizing they are paying heavy penalties for doing so. For example, I was a bit disappointed the author didn't mention the problem with swans in the Chesapeake Bay area. When I grew up in Maryland, the Bay's blue crabs were so plentiful you could pay a few dollars to enter a union hall's crab feast and eat all night. Not anymore. Someone released swans to the Bay area and their population grew. The swans ate the water grasses lining the bay and riverbanks. These were the grasses which newly born or molted crabs needed to hide in and be protected from predators, including other crabs. As a result, the blue crab population crashed. But when state wildlife management specialists took steps to eliminate the swans, well-meaning, but ignorant, residents strongly protested against this, as "swans are so beautiful." As a result, most crabs sold in Maryland and surrounding states are flown in from South America. Now crabs are very expensive.
If you enjoy this book, then I suggest you also read "Nature Wars" by Jim Sterba. In that book you'll discover even some native species or pets---many people's "fur babies"---need to be more strictly managed due to the damage they inflict on other species, including humans.
One item early on in the book caught my attention. The author describes how in World War II a homing pigeon, called "G.I. Joe" saved Allied troops from being bombed by their own air forces. I thought this an error until I googled the bird's name and discovered the story on Wikipedia. Amazing. Still, the author called the bombers a "squad," rather then the correct term of "squadron." Just another indication that because someone writes a book, doesn't mean they know it all. But it also proved the author knew something about World War II I didn't know.
