Feral Future

Feral Future examines Australia's biological invasion crisis and its far-reaching impacts on native ecosystems. Tim Low documents the spread of introduced plants, animals and diseases across the continent, drawing on extensive research and field observations. The book tracks both deliberate and accidental species introductions throughout Australia's history, from European settlement to modern times. Low explores how human activities, from agriculture to pet-keeping, continue to facilitate new invasions that threaten indigenous flora and fauna. The text moves between remote wilderness areas, urban environments, and agricultural zones to demonstrate the scale and complexity of Australia's feral species problem. Low interviews scientists, farmers, and land managers while investigating notable case studies of both successful and failed attempts to control invasive species. This work reveals deep connections between globalization, human behavior, and ecological change, while raising questions about conservation in an increasingly interconnected world. The narrative serves as both a warning about biosecurity and an examination of humanity's role in reshaping natural systems.

Readers find this book informative about Australia's invasive species problems but note it can be dense and technical. Several reviews mention Low's detailed research and comprehensive coverage of ecological issues. Liked: - Clear examples of invasive species impacts - Local Australian case studies and evidence - Scientific accuracy and depth - Links between human behavior and environmental effects Disliked: - Academic writing style can be dry - Some sections are repetitive - Too much focus on Queensland examples - Technical terminology makes it less accessible Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (32 ratings) Amazon AU: 4.5/5 (6 reviews) One reader noted: "Eye-opening but could have used more editing to make it more readable for general audiences." Another commented: "The level of detail on Australian ecosystems is impressive but overwhelming at times." No professional book review scores or Library Thing ratings were available.

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🌿 Tim Low coined the term "new animals" to describe species that thrive in human-modified environments, adapting and sometimes becoming more successful than in their natural habitats. 🦘 The book was one of the first major works to highlight how Australian native species can become invasive when introduced to new areas within Australia itself. 🌍 Released in 1999, Feral Future was remarkably prescient in predicting the impact of online pet trade on invasive species spread, long before internet commerce became mainstream. 🔬 Author Tim Low is not only a writer but also a working biologist who has discovered several new species of plants and helped identify previously unknown toxic properties in Australian flora. 🏆 Feral Future won the Wilderness Society Environment Award and sparked significant changes in Australian quarantine and wildlife import policies.