Invasive alien species can upset ecosystems and are one of the main causes of species extinction. While it is preferable to concentrate efforts on measures to prevent their introduction, it is also possible to control their spread or eradicate them. In this publication methods of control or eradication are presented and discussed.

This open access book describes the serious threat of invasive species to native ecosystems. Invasive species have caused and will continue to cause enormous ecological and economic damage with ever increasing world trade. This multi-disciplinary book, written by over 100 national experts, presents the latest research on a wide range of natural science and social science fields that explore the ecology, impacts, and practical tools for management of invasive species. It covers species of all taxonomic groups from insects and pathogens, to plants, vertebrates, and aquatic organisms that impact a diversity of habitats in forests, rangelands and grasslands of the United States. It is well-illustrated, provides summaries of the most important invasive species and issues impacting all regions of the country, and includes a comprehensive primary reference list for each topic. This scientific synthesis provides the cultural, economic, scientific and social context for addressing environmental challenges posed by invasive species and will be a valuable resource for scholars, policy makers, natural resource managers and practitioners.

Includes papers and abstracts dealing with eradication of invasive species in Alaska, Australia, Baker Island, California, Christmas Island, Enderby and Rose Islands, Galapagos Islands, Hawaii, Howland Island, Japan, Jarvis Island, Laysan Island, Lord Howe Island, Mauritius, Mexico, Nauru, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Northern Mariana Islands, Saint-Paul Island, Seychelles, West Indies.

The European bison, the largest herbivore in Europe, was once widely distributed throughout western, central and south-eastern Europe. But by the end of the 19th century there were only two populations left in the the wild, this drastic decline caused by competition for food from deer, cattle grazing in forests, wars and heavy poaching. By 1945 there were only 54 animals with proven pedigrees in zoos, descended from 12 ancestor animals (of which a mere two are dominant genetically). Moves to restore the wild population began in the 1920s, and the restitution has successfully maintained the breed's purity. In 2000, there were nearly 2900 bison registered by the European Bison Pedigree Book, existing in 191 enclosed and 31 free-roaming herds. Despite this success, there remain concerns over the loss of genetic variability - the inbreeding affects life span, viability of young animals, and the interval between calving and skeletal growth - and the presence of, and susceptibility to, several diseases, including foot-and-mouth and TB. Management of the habitat and local populations of bison is necessary to maintain the optimum bison habitat. It remains an endangered species, and its full recovery and re-naturalisation in the wild cannot be guaranteed.

Invertebrate animals make up the greater part of the world's biological diversity and are present in all habitats, where they perform essential ecological functions. Their survival is fundamental to the maintenance of life as we know it. Large numbers of invertebrate species are under severe threat of extinction in Europe, or are already extinct due to the extreme transformations that European habitats have suffered due to human activities. The European Strategy for the conservation of invertebrates, adopted by the Council of Europe (Bern Convention) in 2006, addresses the loss of invertebrate biodiversity and promotes their conservation and the services they provide in terrestrial and non-marine aquatic environments. The Strategy offers appropriate guidance to European governments, other decision-makers, land managers, scientists and teachers that have potential influence on invertebrate conservation.

On title page: Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Habitats (Bern Convention)

Climate change is likely to have major environmental effects on natural habitats in the next fifty years. Conservation of biological diversity will have to be modified drastically to avoid massive extinctions of species of threatened habitat types. Precise recommendations are made to governments and conservation agencies that collaborate in the framework of the Bern Convention. This publication provides a starting point for discussion about possible adaptation strategies if Europe's biodiversity is to be conserved.