Overview

The story of introduced species in Texas is long (hogs were introduced by European settlers in the 1500s) and fraught with controversy. In Unnatural Texas? The Invasive Species Dilemma, Robin W. Doughty and Matt Warnock Turner introduce the """"big hitters"""" of invasive species in the state. They profile the usual suspects—feral hogs, salt cedar, and fire ants—and also lesser known invasives, such as cats and sparrows. Blending natural and environmental history with geography, this book is a much-needed, balanced exploration of invasive species in Texas. The distinctions between native and invasive are not hard and fast, and perceptions of what is invasive have changed over the centuries. A striking example, free-ranging cats—domestic, stray, and feral—can wreak havoc on small mammal and bird populations. There is not a one-size-fits-all solution for invasives, and removal or complete eradication may not be possible or even desirable. The dilemma of what to do about invasive species also raises moral, social, economic, and cultural questions. This engaging introduction to the concept of invasive species in Texas will provide context for readers and will educate people on this important issue facing the state.

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9781623497057

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Reviews

. . . a context-rich perspective on the consequences of invasive species for our unnatural world today. . . Doughty and Turner's work lays bare the harsh reality, the challenges, and the dilemma of restoring ecological integrity in Texas. --David H. Riskind, director, Natural Resources, Texas State Parks and Wildlife--David H. Riskind Doughty and Turner's Unnatural Texas? is a philosophical romp through the cultural history and ecological impact of invasive species in Texas. Told in a series of invasive species vignettes, the book delves into the controversy, consequences, and conundrums created by the intentional and unintentional introduction of new species into established ecosystems. A must read for every Texan...native or introduced. --Damon Waitt, founder of the Texas Invasive Plant and Pest Council --Damon Waitt

". . . a context-rich perspective on the consequences of invasive species for our unnatural world today. . . Doughty and Turner's work lays bare the harsh reality, the challenges, and the dilemma of restoring ecological integrity in Texas."""" - David H. Riskind, director, Natural Resources, Texas State Parks and Wildlife"

. . . a context-rich perspective on the consequences of invasive species for our unnatural world today. . . Doughty and Turner's work lays bare the harsh reality, the challenges, and the dilemma of restoring ecological integrity in Texas. --David H. Riskind, director, Natural Resources, Texas State Parks and Wildlife--David H. Riskind

. . . a context-rich perspective on the consequences of invasive species for our unnatural world today. . . Doughty and Turner's work lays bare the harsh reality, the challenges, and the dilemma of restoring ecological integrity in Texas. - David H. Riskind, director, Natural Resources, Texas State Parks and Wildlife

. . . a context-rich perspective on the consequences of invasive species for our unnatural world today. . . Doughty and Turner's work lays bare the harsh reality, the challenges, and the dilemma of restoring ecological integrity in Texas."""" - David H. Riskind, director, Natural Resources, Texas State Parks and Wildlife

Author Information

Robin W. Doughty is an internationally renowned biogeographer and the author or coauthor of nine books, including Wildlife and Man in Texas: Environmental Change and Conservation. He lives in Austin, Texas. Matt Warnock Turner is a freelance writer and the author of Remarkable Plants of Texas: Uncommon Accounts of Our Common Natives. He lives in Austin, Texas.

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