Invasive Plant Ecology

Shibu Jose, Ph.D., an applied ecologist, is the H.E. Garrett Endowed Professor in the School of Natural Resources and director of the Center for Agroforestry at the University of Missouri. He is the editor-in-chief of Agroforestry Systems and associate editor of the International Journal of Ecology and the Journal of Forestry. Dr. Jose's research program studies key ecological processes and interactions that define ecological sustainability. He examines how resource availability and disturbances influence ecosystem structure and uses the information in designing agroforestry systems and restoring degraded and damaged ecosystems. Dr. Jose and his research team have conducted studies in the United States, Australia, Costa Rica, Belize, Bangladesh, Panama, and India. He has more than 150 publications, including 6 edited books and 3 special issues.Harminder Pal Singh, Ph.D., an ecophysiologist, is an assistant professor in the Department of Environmental Studies at Panjab University, Chandigarh, India. His research interests include examining the ecophysiological basis of plant interactions, evaluating the impact of exotic invasive plants on structural and functional aspects of native ecosystems, and exploring the role of natural plant products as novel pesticides. His research findings have resulted in 75 research papers in refereed journals and 6 edited books.Daizy R. Batish, Ph.D., is a professor in the Department of Botany at Panjab University, Chandigarh, India. Over the past 20 years, Dr. Batish and her research group have been involved in studying the biology and ecology of invasive weeds, ecophysiology of plant-plant interactions, and ecological weed management. Her research program aims at identifying and evaluating plant products with potential application as novel herbicides under sustainable agriculture. Dr. Batish has published over 100 research papers in refereed journals, 6 books, and

"… an up-to-date review of the ecology of invasive plant species. … a must read for biologists and land managers interested in invasive plants. Highly recommended."—R.B. Pratt, CHOICE, August 2013"This collection contains case studies from around the world, giving readers a real view of the extent of the invasive species issue along with real-world strategies. With its focus on the ecological aspects of plant invasion, this book provides an important reference for students, scientists, professionals, and policy makers who are involved in the study and management of alien invasive plants and ecosystems."—Southeastern Naturalist, Issue 12/2, 2013"… an excellent collection of thought-provoking essays by an international group of scientists, researchers, and academicians discussing the challenges of invasive plants from an ecological perspective but with multidisciplinary approaches. The book will be valued for its comprehensive coverage of both basic and applied models involving invasion, establishment, and competition generated by invasive species in vulnerable ecosystems and ecozones. … recommended for students at the undergraduate and postgraduate level, and for researchers and academics in the fields of life sciences, plant sciences, botany, biology, plant ecology, environmental science, agriculture, forestry sciences, applied botany, and applied ecology."—S. K. Basu, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, in PLANT SCIENCE BULLETIN 59(3) 2013

• Invasive plant ecology: The horse behind the cart? What makes the alien plants so successful? Exploration of the ecological basis. Novel weapon hypothesis for the successful establishment of invasive plants in alien environments: A critical appraisal. Functional basis for geographical variation in growth among invasive plants. Aboveground-belowground interactions: Implication for invasiveness. From species coexistence to genotype coexistence: What can we learn from invasive plants? Mycorrhizae and invasive plants. Exotic plant response to forest disturbance in the western United States. Effects of silvicultural practices on invasive plant species abundance in the Missouri Ozark forests of the central United States. Invasive plants and mutualistic interactions between fleshy fruits and frugivorous animals. Alien plant invasion and its ecological implications: An Indian perspective with particular reference to biodiversity-rich regions. Impact of invasive alien plant species on aboveground and belowground diversity in the Kashmir Himalaya, India. Ecology and management of invasive plants in Africa. Geospatial tools for identifying and managing invasive plants. Improving restoration to control plant invasions under climate change. Converting invasive alien plant stands to natural forest nature's way: Overview, theory, and practice. Economics of invasive plant management. An economic analysis of the invasive plant problem associated with the horticulture industry in North America. Index.