Springer Invasive Alien Arthropod Predators and Parasitoids: An Ecological Approach: 13 (Progress in Biological Control, 13)

Product Description Here is a comprehensive overview of invasive alien arthropod predators and parasitoids, from key topics on invasive alien species to taxon-specific chapters. Covers invasion biology, and considers the benefits and risks of exotic biological control agents. Review From the reviews:“This hardcover volume comprises a foreword plus 19 review articles on the ecology of alien arthropod predators and parasitoids. … This book covers its topic in a broad and multifaceted way and some chapters have the potential to become baseline reviews of their respective area. … Overall, the book can be well recommended and appears particularly suited for scientists from related areas to gain a timely overview of the subject.” (Martin H. Entling, Basic and Applied Ecology, Vol. 13 (8), December, 2012) From the Back Cover Invasive alien species (IAS) coupled with climate change have been referred to as a "deadly duo". Until recently research on invasion biology has centred mainly on alien plants and vertebrates, despite the numerical dominance of invasive alien arthropods. Arthropods are the largest group of IAS worldwide.  However, many alien arthropods are not invasive and play a beneficial role, particularly in controlling insect and mite pests. Indeed, more than 1500 terrestrial arthropod species have been identified as alien to Europe but only a fraction has been shown to cause either an ecological or economical impact, yet knowledge is severely limited by a paucity of data. The IOBC / WPRS Working Group "Benefits and Risks of Exotic Biological Control Agents" developed the theme of this book to begin to address the limitations in understanding of this important research area. Understanding invasion biology, and the dynamics of biological control practices, requires a multidisciplinary and unified approach, embracing and integrating all the research tools at our disposal, particularly modern molecular and modelling techniques. This book represents a timely synthesis of current ecological knowledge and research on alien arthropod predators and parasitoids.