Since the arrival of Europeans about 500 years ago, an estimated 50,000 non-native species have been introduced to North America (including Hawaii). Non-native species figure prominently in our lives, often as ornamentals, sources of food or pests. Although many introduced species are beneficial, there is increasing awareness of the enormous economic costs associated with non-native pests. In contrast, the ecological impacts of non-native species have received much less public and scientific attention, despite the fact that invasion by exotic species ranks second to habitat destruction as a cause of species loss. In particular, there is little information about the ecological impacts of hyper-diverse groups such as terrestrial fungi and invertebrates.

A science symposium, Ecological impacts of non-native invertebrates and fungi on terrestrial ecosystems, held in 2006, brought together scientists from the USA and Canada to review the state of knowledge in this field of work. Additional reviews were solicited following the symposium. The resulting set of review/synthesis papers and case studies represents a cross-section of work on ecological impacts of non-native terrestrial invertebrates and fungi. Although there is a strong focus on Canadian work, there is also significant presentation of work in the northern USA and Europe.

Praise for "Almost Catholic"

"Non-Catholic, almost Catholic, and Catholics who could use a little reassurance will delight in and profit from this book. Jon Sweeney lays out a convincing case that such classic Catholic devotions as praying the rosary, invoking the saints, and venerating the Sacred Heart are all safe paths that will lead us to the mystery of God."
--Thomas J. Craughwell, author, "Saints Behaving Badly"

"It's about time that a Protestant handled the sacred objects of Roman Catholicism--both belief and practice--with respect and care. Jon Sweeney has done just that, giving us a wonderful and enlightening primer on the faith of over one billion of our Christian brothers and sisters. Highly recommended!"
--Tony Jones, author, "The New Christians: Dispatches from the Emergent Frontier," and national coordinator of Emergent Village

"A rich exploration of Catholic spirituality, using a broad definition of 'Catholic' that will appeal to Christians of all kinds.... Those who admire Catholicism, but don't mean to become Roman Catholics, will love this book."
--Emilie Griffin, author, "Wonderful and Dark Is This Road: Discovering the Mystic Path"

"Through whimsical exploration and accessible explanations, the gift of mystery within Catholicism is given to those of us who long for its depths."
--Karen Sloan, author of "Flirting with Monasticism: Finding God on Ancient Paths" (karensloan.net)

"Sweeney captures in rich detail the yearning of younger, contemporary Christians for the historic faith. Almost Catholic is, first and foremost, a love song written in the tradition of G.K. Chesterton himself."
--Phyllis Tickle, compiler, The DivineHours, author, "The Words of Jesus"