Nature Out of Balance: How Invasive Species Are Changing the Planet

Nature Out of Balance adds another title to the growing series, “Orca Footprints”, on ecological literacy. As its subtitle, How Invasive Species are Changing the Planet, suggests, the focus is on those organisms that spread and cause problems when moved to a new place. The “Introduction” cites a park in Victoria, British Columbia, home to native Garry oak and many non-native plants and animals brought from elsewhere. The reader is invited to consider both sides of the story of those species we call invasive, in keeping with the concept of balance noted in the title.

In the first of four chapters, the book examines characteristics of an invasive species and how it might have travelled to a new location, as well as the fact that humans have been responsible for much of this movement. The second chapter gives an in-depth look at systems—especially ecosystems—and how they are affected by the arrival of invasive species. Chapter Three details ways we try to prevent or control the damage through knowledge, predictions, establishing alerts, and eradication if possible. Given that some invasive species are already deeply established, and methods of removal can be worse than the problem itself, the last chapter looks at the idea of thinking differently about them. Is there a benefit to letting nature take its course? Or can we help with restoration and take action once we gain a greater understanding of the impacts an invasive species has on an ecosystem?

Ten "Invasive All-Stars" are given special attention. Readers may be familiar with the European zebra mussel threat in waterways or how starlings and rats have multiplied exponentially to the detriment of native species. They may not be aware of Australia's battle with poisonous South American cane toads introduced to combat beetles damaging sugarcane crops or Asian carp crowding out native fish in American rivers and lakes. And they may not consider the domestic cat an invasive species, when they are actually responsible for the annual loss of billions of birds and mammals—even the extinction of species—worldwide. Each of these examples is presented with dramatic photos and details that highlight their impacts.

Smaller inserts, “Eco-Facts”, offer extensions to definitions, more in-depth detail or anticipate questions that may arise in the main text. For instance, one note outlines the monetary cost associated with invasive species for agriculture and forestry in North America. Another lists some of the many science specialists involved in the work around invasive species, and one describes how much pesticide is being used. One fact note states the differing viewpoints around GMOs, allowing the reader to consider the effects.

Nature Out of Balance is loaded with well-researched and up-to-date information presented in a clear, concisely written manner. The careful, detailed explanations of what constitutes an invasive species and how systems are interconnected do a thorough job of laying a foundation of understanding about the many ways to consider the problems. There is only one particular reference to biodiversity, to which non-native invasives "have also been called one of the greatest threats". However, with that concept in mind, the reader will associate the stories of predatory brown tree snakes in Guam and varroa mites that bring disease to honey bees with the danger to biodiversity. Keeping the reader involved in the final pages, the author outlines accessible actions young people can take concerning invasive species in their communities: being alert to undesirable garden plants or exotic pets, not moving firewood far from its source, volunteering to help remove non-native invasive species, and collecting data as a citizen scientist.

High quality color photos and their detailed captions add a further dimension of solid information to Nature Out of Balance. The “Resources” list fittingly gives more online references than print (for such an evolving topic) and even includes a couple of TED Talks (with one on biodiversity). The “Glossary” has precisely worded definitions for terms in bold text. An Index will be included in the final copy.

Nature Out of Balance: How Invasive Species Are Changing the Planet is a well-written volume on a distinctly important topic for youngsters to be aware of as they grow into their role of guardians of the ecosystems.