Tamarix: A Case Study of Ecological Change in the American West

February 18, 2014

Our very own Arboretum Director, Dr. Martin Quigley, and colleague Dr. Anna Sher have edited the first-ever volume devoted to the ecology of the genus Tamarix: A Case Study of Ecological Change in the American West. The invasive species Tamarix first attracted the public eye in the 1990s when it was suspected of contributing to widespread drought and wildfires in the Western United States. Once purported to consume as much water as entire cities, very few plant species have received as much scientific, public, and political discussion and debate as Tamarix. Written by 44 of the field's most prominent scholars and scientists, this volume compiles 25 essays on this fascinating species — its biology, ecology, politics, management, and the ethical issues involved with designating a particular genus as "good" or "bad." The book analyzes the controversy surrounding Tamarix's role in our ecosystems and what should be done about it.

Tamarix: A Case Study of Ecological Change in the American West is available on Amazon or directly from Oxford University Press.