Hubbard Brook: Lessons from the Forest
From acid rain to the decline of songbirds, new book tells the fascinating story of one of the most intensively studied landscapes on Earth
On Friday, June 24 at 7 p.m., Gene E. Likens will give a lecture based on the newly released book Hubbard Brook: The Story of a Forest Ecosystem at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies auditorium located at 2801 Sharon Tpk., Millbrook, NY. The lecture is free and open to the public. Seating is first come first served. For more information visit www.caryinstitute.org/
(Millbrook, NY) For more than half a century, scientists have converged on the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in the White Mountains of New Hampshire to explore how forest ecosystems work, from the flow of water and nutrients to the ecology and behavior of forest animals. HUBBARD BROOK: The Story of a Forest Ecosystem captures the rich history of research at the site, including how it has transformed environmental policy, resource management, and forestry practices – locally, regionally, and nationally.
Hubbard Brook has inspired collaborations among federal agencies and academic scientists. Research has resulted in more than 1,500 peer-reviewed publications exploring everything from ice storms and air pollution to the impact of reduced snow cover on forest soils. Today, 50 investigators from more than 20 institutions conduct research at Hubbard Brook, making it one of the longest running and most comprehensive ecosystem investigations in the world.
Offered by Yale University Press, HUBBARD BROOK: The Story of a Forest Ecosystem provides an accessible review and synthesis of how researchers have used a living forest as an experimental laboratory. In the beautifully illustrated 270-page volume, Holmes and Likens showcase the role that long-term, collaborative ecological studies play in informing the protection of air and water resources, sustainable forestry practices, and wildlife conservation.
Holmes is a research professor of biology at Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH. He is also the Ronald and Deborah Harris Professor of Environmental Biology emeritus at Dartmouth. Likens is founder and president emeritus of the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook, NY. He is also Distinguished Research Professor at the University of Connecticut.
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PRAISE FOR HUBBARD BROOK:
“A classic volume that brings a captivating story of scientific research with great policy implications up to date and challenges us to envision the future of this and all forest ecosystems.”—David Foster, author of Hemlock
“The authors have elegantly packaged a 50-year history of the Hubbard Brook project into a very readable book that will be of interest to a wide variety of disciplines.”—James Galloway, University of Virginia
“A tremendous accomplishment. The work is original and the scholarship is excellent. It is extremely important and it absolutely will be a cherished book.”—Andrew Friedland, Dartmouth College
“An essential addition to the bookshelves of professional ecologists, natural history buffs, and New England armchair ecologists.”—Meg Lowman, California Academy of Sciences
“This beautifully illustrated and wonderfully written book presents a comprehensive summary of 50 years of research at Hubbard Brook, perhaps the most iconic and influential long-term ecological research program ever conducted.”—Scott L. Collins, University of New Mexico
“Many important lessons have been learned in this fabled forest laboratory. By telling the Hubbard Brook story, Holmes and Likens give a gift to all who treasure the northern hardwood forest.”—Stephen Long, author of Thirty-Eight.
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The Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies is one of the world’s leading independent environmental research organizations. Areas of expertise include disease ecology, forest and freshwater health, climate change, urban ecology, and invasive species. Since 1983, Cary Institute scientists have produced the unbiased research needed to inform effective management and policy decisions.
