Author Description

Ziska (plant physiology, United States Department of Agriculture) and Dukes (biological sciences, Purdue University) explain in clear terms the functions of weeds in world ecology. From defining a weed, a term that exists only in relation to human needs, to explaining the effects of increased carbon dioxide on the spread of weeds, the authors gather together information from a plethora of scientific monographs and put them into a form understandable to the general reader. They cover the constant battle between food crops and weeds for the nutrients in the soil and methods used by farmers to combat the latter. Ziska and Dukes also discuss the effects of the herbicides used and the problems encountered when people introduce natural predators, such as kudzu, to non-native areas. They note the allergic affect many plants, especially ragweed, have on sensitive people. Lastly, they suggest ways to keep weeds under control while continuing to study them for beneficial properties. Throughout, the authors remind the reader of the interconnectedness of plants, animals and climate.