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, including:

• Feral pigs-- relentless boars that are trampling across Europe, North America and Australia
  
• Bullfrogs -- predatory amphibians that are endangering native frog populations
  
• Jellyfish -- spineless wonders that are dominating the world's oceans
  
• C. difficile -- potentially deadly microbes that flourish in human intestines
  
• Brown tree snakes -- unusually vicious reptiles that have overrun Guam and are now infiltrating America
  
• Argentine ants -- aggressive insects capable of forming super-colonies spanning thousands of miles
  
• Humboldt squid -- gigantic beasts that hunt in packs of several hundreds

The author also examines the opposing views of top ecologists who are studying this global phenomenon. While some of these experts view invasive species as a threat to biodiversity that costs humans millions of dollars, others believe these creatures may simply be nature's way of restoring ecological vibrancy in the wake of human-mediated destruction.

Whether good or bad, the life-forms in Super Species are the current winners in nature's ruthless process of natural selection.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Firefly Books
• Release date: Dec 23, 2011
• ISBN: 9781770880108

Garry Hamilton

Garry Hamilton has over twenty five years experience working in the field of community and social support, and has worked with a variety of troubled members of society. As well as being a reiki master and personal trainer, he practices chi kung daily and has an interest in cycling, painting and collecting rare autographs. He is looking forward to having his other works published in the coming future. Garry Hamilton lives in London with his family. He’s currently working as a community support worker with adults experiencing learning difficulties. His interests include cycling, painting, collecting rare autographs, and chi kung, as well as being a reiki master, he isa qualified personal trainer, and a boxercise instructor.