The brown tree snake was introduced to Guam with little knowledge of how it would behave in its new tropical environment. Today, nine of the 12 forest bird species in Guam are extinct as a result of this snake's introduction. Like many invasive terrestrial animals, the brown tree snake does not have a natural predator; as such, its population continues to grow. Invasive Terrestrial Animals explores the role of invasive land animals and their impact on native animals and on local economies that expend enormous resources to contain their explosive populations.

Invasive terrestrial plants are responsible for drying up rivers, poisoning horses, and poisoning horses, and pushing native plants to extinction. For example, kudzu, from Japan, was planted in the U.S. as a forage crop and to control erosion. Now this fast-growing vine is smothering native vegetation and taking over bridges and power lines throughout the South. Here, specialist Suellen May identifies the worst of these plant invaders, explaining the ecological and economic toll they exact, and how they are introduced from all over the world, by ships, by people, and by animals.

One of the biggest threats to the San Francisco Bay's estuarine community is a tiny crab with furry claws. The Chinese mitten crab may sound benign, but its voracious appetite and escalating population is compromising the ecology of this once-thriving system. Invasive Aquatic and Wetland Animals explains how invasive aquatic and wetland animals are introduced, how they affect aquatic systems, and what is being done to contain them.

Today's world of travel helps even the tiniest of organisms--microbes--find their way to new environments. Influenzavirus A, or Avian influenza (also known as bird flu), which originated in Asia, is steadily making its way to new countries as a result of commerce, and experts anticipate a pandemic. This well-timed resource goes beyond the headlines in explaining the potentially devastating impact of invasive viruses, bacteria, protists, and fungi. The author evaluates scenarios for success in the escalating battle for containment.

This text explains that though there is no 'magic pill' that melts the pounds away, some drugs have proven effective in supporting a sensible weight-loss plan.

Steroids are used for medicinal purposes but are more often abused to improve athletic performance or appearance. This title explains what steroids are, their medical benefits when used properly, and the damage they do when abused.