Aliens in the Backyard: Plant and Animal
Imports to America
John Leland
248
pages, hardcover: $29.95
University of South Carolina
Press, 2005.
We know by now that exotic species often
wreak havoc: Asian tiger mosquitoes spread West Nile virus,
Australian eucalyptus trees increase California’s fire risk.
But Leland shows us that they can bring benefits, too: Think
Japanese cherry trees, European honeybees, and carrot plants from
Afghanistan. And many of us are imports ourselves. To live in
America today, Leland says, is truly to be a “stranger in a strange
land.”
This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline Aliens in the Backyard: Plant and Animal Imports to America.
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
