Seaweed Invasions — A Synthesis of Ecological, Economic and Legal Imperatives

Beautiful but potentially deadly, aline seaweed can invade a locale and choke out native plants and therefore animals and the entire ecological balance. This collection of 11 papers works toward a conceptual synthesis rather than providing yet more case studies and covers the full range of the invasion process and its effects. It begins by introducing the means by which seaweed invades sites, then covers situations in which seaweed is accidentally introduced and develops, and those in which seaweed is intentionally introduced for commercial purposes. It describes the mechanisms of invasions and establishment, the extent to which the recipient community can influence invasions rates, methods for identifying and tracking invasions, molecular approaches to the study of invasive seaweed, control methods, and global and regional law and policy responses. The final entry details future research and control measures. Annotation c2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Craig R. Johnson, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australien