Nonindigenous plants and plant pests that find their way to the United States and become invasive can often cause problems. They cost more than $100 billion per year in crop and timber losses plus the expense of herbicides and pesticides. And this figure does not include the costs of invasions in less intensively managed ecosystems such as wetlands. Nonindigenous Plants and Plant Pests examines this growing problem and offers recommendations for enhancing the science base in this field, improving our detection of potential invaders, and refining our ability to predict their impact. The book analyzes the factors that shape an invader's progress through four stages: arriving through one of many possible ports of entry, reaching a threshold of survival, thriving through proliferation and geographic spread, and ultimate impact on the organism's new environment. The book also reviews approaches to predicting whether a species will become an invader as well as the more complex challenge of predicting and measuring its impact on the environment, a process involving value judgments and risk assessment. This detailed analysis will be of interest to policymakers, plant scientists, agricultural producers, environmentalists, and public agencies concerned with invasive plant and plant pest species.

Industrial Process Automation Systems: Design and Implementation is a clear guide to the practicalities of modern industrial automation systems. Bridging the gap between theory and technician-level coverage, it offers a pragmatic approach to the subject based on industrial experience, taking in the latest technologies and professional practices.Its comprehensive coverage of concepts and applications provides engineers with the knowledge they need before referring to vendor documentation, while clear guidelines for implementing process control options and worked examples of deployments translate theory into practice with ease.This book is an ideal introduction to the subject for junior level professionals as well as being an essential reference for more experienced practitioners. - Provides knowledge of the different systems available and their applications, enabling engineers to design automation solutions to solve real industry problems - Includes case studies and practical information on key items that need to be considered when procuring automation systems - Written by an experienced practitioner from a leading technology company