Biological globalisation : : bio-invasions and their impacts on nature, the economy, and public health / / Wouter van der Weijden, Rob Leewis, Pieter Bol.

• Superior document: Brill's Companions to European History
• Author: Weijden, Wouter van der.
• TeilnehmendeR: Leewis, R. J.; Bol, Pieter, 1948-
• Place / Publishing House: Utrecht : : KNNV,, 2007.
• Year of Publication: 2007
• Language: English
• Series: Brill's companions to European history.
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (224 pages).

Bioglobalisation is anything but new. The exotic fungus Phytophtora has threatened European potato harvests since 1846. 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.

Table of Contents

Preliminary Material -- Preface -- Introduction -- The nature and scope of bio-globalisation -- History, drivers, mechanisms and pathways of bio-invasions -- Patterns of bio-invasions -- Impacts on nature, biodiversity and environmental quality -- Impacts on the economy and public health -- The Netherlands and bio-globalisation -- Lessons learned and actions needed -- Notes -- References -- Illustration Credits -- Bio-invasions: definitions and their implications -- The economy of bio-invasions: dilemmas in calculating costs -- Economic effects of invasive animal diseases in the Netherlands -- Calculating productivity losses from human epidemics -- Pathways of species introductions -- 100 of the World's Worst Invasive Alien Species -- Glossary of terms -- Index -- Acknowledgements -- About the authors -- Colophon.