Overview
- Considers possible strategies for preventing and mitigating earthworm invasions
- Broadens the discussion on invastion biology and ecology to belowground systems
- Explores mechanisms and impacts of invasions by an important group of 'ecosystem engineers'
Access this book
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Other ways to access
Table of contents (11 chapters)
Keywords
About this book
The most conspicuous biological invasions in terrestrial ecosystems have been by exotic plants, insects and vertebrates. Less conspicuous but possibly of equal importance are invasions by soil invertebrates, which are occurring literally beneath our feet. Familiar examples include the South American fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) which has invaded North America and Australia, and the New Zealand flatworm (Arthurdendyus triangulatus) which has become wide-spread in the United Kingdom; both have caused considerable ecological and economic damage. There is now evidence that exotic earthworm invasions are increasing world-wide and may be having significant impacts on soil processes and plant communities in some regions. Much remains to be learned about these ‘cryptic’ biological invasions. The papers in this book are based on efforts by an international group of soil ecologists to assess the biological and ecological mechanisms of earthworm invasions, their geographic extent and impacts on terrestrial ecosystems, and possible means by which earthworm invasions might be mitigated.
Editors and Affiliations
Bibliographic Information
Book Title: Biological Invasions Belowground: Earthworms as Invasive Species
Editors: Paul F. Hendrit
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-5429-7
Publisher: Springer Dordrecht
eBook Packages: Biomedical and Life Sciences, Biomedical and Life Sciences (R0)
Copyright Information: Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2006
Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-4020-5428-0Published: 21 December 2006
Softcover ISBN: 978-90-481-7366-2Published: 22 November 2010
eBook ISBN: 978-1-4020-5429-7Published: 01 September 2008
Edition Number: 1
Number of Pages: IV, 129
Additional Information: Reprinted from Biological Invasions, Volume 8 (6), 2006
Topics: Ecology, Terrestial Ecology, Sedimentology, Soil Science & Conservation