The global scale of alien species invasions is becoming more and more evident in the beginning of the new millennium. Though the problem of biological invasions became a rapidly growing research area, there are large gaps still, both geographically and thematically, to be filled in the near future. This book is the first attempt to provide an overall picture of aquatic species invasions in Europe. Its geographical scope stretches from Irish waters in the west to Volga River and the Caspian Sea in the east, and from Mediterranean in the south up to the Arctic coast of Europe. Not all parts of the continent could be equally covered, as in some countries species invasions are not studied yet. The book tends to represent the array of all major European aquatic systems on the broadest geographical and ecological scope possible from fully saline seas, semi-enclosed brackish water bodies and coastal lagoons to freshwater lakes, major river systems and waterways. |
