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Hawaii’s Invasive Species
Hawaii’s Invasive Species: a Guide to Invasive Plants and Animals in the Hawaiian Islands. STAPLES, George W. & COWIE, Robert H. (Eds.). Honolulu: Mutual Publishing (1215 Center Street, Suite 210, Honolulu, HI 96816), 2001. 114pp. 1-56647-510-4 (pbk.), $11.95. Index, Bib., Illus.
What do strawberry guava plants, black rats, and honeybees have in common? They are all invasive species of Hawaii. Not sure what an invasive species is, well then this is the book for you. Hawaii’s Invasive Species is a guide to many of the varieties of plants and animals that are disturbing the fragile ecosystem ofthe Hawaiian Islands.
This book “is part of an on-going effort by the Hawaii Biological Survey to further public understanding of the unique environment of the Hawaiian Islands and the threats it faces” (Foreward). The first part of Hawaii’s Invasive Species is dedicated to describing the purpose and scope of the book. It is followed by a short introduction to the exceptional ecosystem of the Hawaiian Islands and then finally describes the difference between native and invasive species.
The main body of the book is divided into the different varieties of wildlife: mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles, fish, insects, crustaceans, mollusks, and plants. Each species is discussed in terms of name (common and scientific), origin (where the species is native), date of introduction to Hawaii, how it was introduced (intentionally or accidentally), identification marks of species, distribution of species throughout Hawaii, habitat of species, and finally the problems caused by the species. Each entry is concise, only about half a page and accompanied by a color picture of the species.
Hawaii’s Invasive Species definitely accomplishes its goal of informing people about Hawaii’s unique environment and the threats it faces from foreign invasive species. It does more then just inform people about these threats, the book brings home the knowledge of how pervasive these species are throughout the Hawaiian Island chain and just how harmful they can be not only to the land but to the people of Hawaii also.
Although this book is not very long it is packed with useful information. In addition to the many species entries, there is an extensive index, as well as a glossary of terms, and a list of additional resources (websites, books, and other literature). Hawaii’s Invasive Species is more of reference book as apposed to a book one would read cover to cover. There is no story in this book, but many facts.
The only problem with this book is its binding. It is only available as a glue-bound paperback. The colorful cover however makes it appealing to all ages. This book would be a great addition to any high school, academic, or public library science collection.
What do strawberry guava plants, black rats, and honeybees have in common? They are all invasive species of Hawaii. Not sure what an invasive species is, well then this is the book for you. Hawaii’s Invasive Species is a guide to many of the varieties of plants and animals that are disturbing the fragile ecosystem ofthe Hawaiian Islands.
This book “is part of an on-going effort by the Hawaii Biological Survey to further public understanding of the unique environment of the Hawaiian Islands and the threats it faces” (Foreward). The first part of Hawaii’s Invasive Species is dedicated to describing the purpose and scope of the book. It is followed by a short introduction to the exceptional ecosystem of the Hawaiian Islands and then finally describes the difference between native and invasive species.
The main body of the book is divided into the different varieties of wildlife: mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles, fish, insects, crustaceans, mollusks, and plants. Each species is discussed in terms of name (common and scientific), origin (where the species is native), date of introduction to Hawaii, how it was introduced (intentionally or accidentally), identification marks of species, distribution of species throughout Hawaii, habitat of species, and finally the problems caused by the species. Each entry is concise, only about half a page and accompanied by a color picture of the species.
Hawaii’s Invasive Species definitely accomplishes its goal of informing people about Hawaii’s unique environment and the threats it faces from foreign invasive species. It does more then just inform people about these threats, the book brings home the knowledge of how pervasive these species are throughout the Hawaiian Island chain and just how harmful they can be not only to the land but to the people of Hawaii also.
Although this book is not very long it is packed with useful information. In addition to the many species entries, there is an extensive index, as well as a glossary of terms, and a list of additional resources (websites, books, and other literature). Hawaii’s Invasive Species is more of reference book as apposed to a book one would read cover to cover. There is no story in this book, but many facts.
The only problem with this book is its binding. It is only available as a glue-bound paperback. The colorful cover however makes it appealing to all ages. This book would be a great addition to any high school, academic, or public library science collection.
Submitted by Victoria Vallejos, University of Hawaii at Manoa LIS student, May 2006.
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