Where Do Camels Belong?: Why Invasive Species Aren't All Bad

by Ken Thompson

Overview

The ecologist and author of Do We Need Pandas? “presents a stimulating challenge to our perceptions of nature” and non-native species (George Monbiot).
 
You may be surprised to learn that camels evolved and lived for tens of millions of years in North America—and also that the leek, national symbol of Wales, was a Roman import to Britain, as were chickens, rabbits and pheasants. These classic examples highlight the issues of “native” and “invasive” species. We have all heard the horror stories of invasives wreaking havoc on ecosystems. But do we need to fear invaders?
 
In this controversial book, Ken Thompson asks: Why do very few introduced species succeed, why do so few of them go on to cause trouble, and what is the real cost of invasions? He also discusses whether fear of invasive species could be getting in the way of conserving biodiversity and responding to climate change.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781771640978
Publisher:	Greystone Books
Publication date:	12/08/2020
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	274
Sales rank:	439,300
File size:	4 MB

About the Author

Dr. Ken Thompson has combined a career lecturing in the Department of Animal and Plant Sciences at the University of Sheffield with writing on gardening for the Daily Telegraph (London). He has written five previous books, including Do We Need Pandas: The Uncomfortable Truth About Biodiversity, and lives in Sheffield, U.K.

Editorial Reviews

"Ken Thompson builds a careful, documented, detailed case with copious examples; smooth, factual, wry and humorous writing; an ecologist's training but a journalist's writing. His explanations are accessible, and very entertaining. ...This clear-eyed, lucid, conversational essay securely asserts that our focus on native or alien is misguided" Five stars —San Francisco Book Review

"Fascinating, provocative... Ken Thompson presents a stimulating challenge to our perceptions of nature"—George Monbiot

"The information he presents is compelling. ...This title brings an important minority opinion to light"—School Library Journal

“Thompson makes his case in a lively, readable style, spiced with a healthy dose of sarcasm towards "aliens = bad" fundamentalists. Better yet, he bolsters his argument with plenty of citations from the scientific literature, which adds welcome heft.” —New Scientist

"A well put together book about the science and the philosophy surrounding invasive species"—The Times

"Lively and punchy … you walk away from this book feeling flushed and a bit bruised. Thompson’s arguments are powerful and his examples are fascinating”—The Sunday Times

From the Publisher

10/01/2014
Despite current popular and scientific views, all the money spent on fighting invasive species is a waste, argues Thompson (animal and plant sciences, Univ. of Sheffield; Do We Need Pandas?). Our very definition of native vs. alien species is muddied and biased, he says, adding that the likelihood of any transplanted alien species flourishing is low, and the ones that do succeed behave no differently from any other hardy plant or animal would. Instead, it is humans who decrease biodiversity by so dramatically shaping the world around us when we don't fully understand the consequences. While Thompson's arguments occasionally seem more lawyerly than scientific, poking holes in commonly held opinions rather than painting a complete picture, the information he presents is compelling. Extensive endnotes add rigor but there are a few missteps, such as citations of Wikipedia and "the web site invasivespecies-Scotland" to construct a straw man, and the author doesn't shy away from jargon, leaving his book awkwardly straddling pop science and academic text and appealing chiefly to fervent amateur biodiversity devotees. VERDICT This title brings an important minority opinion to light but may struggle to find an audience.—Gretchen Kolderup, New York P.L.

Library Journal