Biological Invasions in Marine Ecosystems: Ecological, Management, and Geographic Perspectives [Hardcover]

Biological invasions are considered to be one of the greatest threats to the integrity of most ecosystems on earth. This volume explores the current state of marine bioinvasions, which have been growing at an exponential rate over recent decades. Focusing on the ecological aspects of biological invasions, it elucidates the different stages of an invasion process, starting with uptake and transport, through inoculation, establishment and finally integration into new ecosystems. Basic ecological concepts - all in the context of bioinvasions - are covered, such as propagule pressure, species interactions, phenotypic plasticity, and the importance of biodiversity. The authors approach bioinvasions as hazards to the integrity of natural communities, but also as a tool for better understanding fundamental ecological processes. Important aspects of managing marine bioinvasions are also discussed, as are many informative case studies from around the world.

Perspectives on Marine Invasions.- Marine Bioinvasions: Conservation Hazards and Vehicles for Ecological Understanding.- Deep Invasion Ecology and the Assembly of Communities in Historical Time.- Natural and Climate Change Mediated Invasions.- Modeling Marine Invasions: Current and Future Approaches.- Invader Arrival.- Characterizing Vectors of Marine Invasion.- The Vessel as a Vector  Biofouling, Ballast Water and Sediments.- The Role of Propagule Pressure in Invasion Success.- Differentiating Successful and Failed Invaders: Species Pools and the Importance of Defining Vector, Source and Recipient Regions.- Invader Establishment.- The Establishment of Invasive Species.- The Role of Phenotypic Plasticity in Marine Biological Invasions.- Escape from Parasites.- Ecological Factors Affecting Community Invasibility.- Invader Integration into Ecosystems.- The Integration of Invasive Species into Marine Ecosystemss.- Competition in Marine Invasions.- Predator-Prey Interactions of Marine Invaders.- The Role ofl;