India is vulnerable to invasive species due to rapid development, the increased transport links and disturbance to the environment in many areas. The focus on India gives readers a chance to access case studies on a wide range of environments and topics.

The book comprises 24 chapters, arranged in five parts with some 41 contributors in total. Part I on Major Invasive Plants, includes Parthenium, Lantana and the marine algae Kappaphycus. These chapters describe the distribution, habitat, biology, ecology and control methods. Some chapters are detailed review articles, while others, such as those on Anthemis and Potomogeton, are based largely on original data and observation. The possible impact in future climates is considered, using Chromolaena as an example. Part II on Status, Mapping and Distribution describes the situation of selected invasive plant species in different regions. Subsequent parts are Environmental Impact and Risk Assessment, and Population, Dynamics and Utilization. Lastly, Part V covers Management and Legislation in case studies on Lantana management in Chandigarh and Prosopis in Gujarat, and these explore issues related to these alien species and some of the challenges facing management of these areas.

Readers looking for an overarching ecological appraisal of the subcontinent may be a little frustrated as authors took different approaches, some being very descriptive and others more analytical; most chapters are well referenced. Some of the text could have benefitted from more robust editorial attention but the oversights do not detract too greatly from the work. The book is well bound, with a good index, and it is likely to be a valuable resource for practitioners, managers and policy-makers alike.