Super Species: The Creatures That Will Dominate the Planet

by Garry Hamilton

A gripping examination of invasive species' impact. Super species are the phenomenally successful invasive life-forms that are dominating ecosystems. These animals, plants and microbes have spread far from their native habitats, most often as a result of human activities. The key to super species' success is their ability to adapt quickly. Super species may be unusually aggressive, difficult to kill, unfazed by the presence and activity of humans, capable of astonishingly rapid rates of growth and reproduction, exceptionally tolerant of pollution or, in many cases, all of the above! Author Garry Hamilton profiles the 20 super species that are having the greatest impact in our world today,

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Animals, Ecology, Natural History

272 pages, Hardcover

First published August 31, 2010

Reviews

[Lorraine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read and perspective on invasive species and exotic species. It is quite amazing how some species manage to adapt to new environments. Though it was interesting, I did find the book a bit repetitive and long for some sections

[David Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super Species: The Creatures That Will Dominate the Planet by Garry Hamilton (Firefly Books 2010) (578.62) is simply a book about exotic (non-native) plants and animals that become invasive when introduce into areas where they have no viable natural predators due to a change in the environment or because the naturally-occurring top predators have been removed. The author devotes a chapter to each of what he names as one of "the Top Twenty Super Species:" Eastern Grey squirrels, Humboldt squid, feral pigs, kudzu, nutria, Crown of Thorns Starfish, Zebra Mussels, and House Sparrows. Very interesting, but a little too technical for the pure generalist (like me). My rating: 7/10, finished 7/30/11.

[Brian Griffith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hamilton does an outstanding job of evaluating many of the world's most successful species in our globalized environment. The examples he covers include mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians, insects, mollusks, plants and bacteria. The reports are fascinating and well-balanced, with consideration for both the benefits and costs brought by each creature. Another kind of balance involves presenting what we know along with the questions that remain unanswered. It's a book that inspires thought and raises big questions.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice read about the species that have taken over in many places and sometimes spread around the world, and what might be come the animals we have to learn to eat or use for energy

[Terry Hinkley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative. I knew about these Invasive Species but not much detail. The author gets in depth with their history and possible effect in the future.

[Flew Flewelling · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read. Very formulaic. This is the species. This is the environment. This is how we could have caused it. This how it could be nature balancing itself. Next species. However, it was still very informative and fascinating. Very fast read too.

[Yanick Punter · Rating 4 out of 5]

The conventional picks of species was a con. The chapter difficile was very cool. Water hyacinth chapter more interesting as expected. Great chapter.

Balanced view on non-native species. Good.

#SUPS #superspecies #sup-species