Florida's Invaders: How Introduced Invasive and Non-Native Species are Changing the Ecology and Environment of the Sunshine State

Around the globe, invasive plants and animals have become a serious threat. Some 40% of all endangered species worldwide have been caused by the presence of exotic invasives, and introduced species are now the second-leading cause of extinctions, behind only habitat loss. In the United States, Florida's unique climate and its position as a center of the exotic-animal trade has made it particularly vulnerable to invasives. This book is an account of Florida's invaders, from the Burmese Python to the Lionfish to the Kudzu plant and many more, which are threatening the very ecology of the Sunshine State. Illustrated.