Gene Likens
Gene Elden Likens (born January 6, 1935) is an American limnologist and ecologist. He co-founded the Hubbard Brook Ecosystem Study at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in 1963, and founded the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook, New York in 1983.
Gene Likens | |
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Gene Likens, 2015 | |
| Born | Gene Elden Likens January 6, 1935 Pierceton, Indiana |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Manchester University University of Wisconsin–Madison |
| Known for | Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest Institute of Ecosystem Studies |
| Spouse | Phyllis Irene Craig Likens (1983–2014) |
| Awards | Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Royal Danish Academy of Sciences and Letters, Austrian Academy of Sciences, National Medal of Science, BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Ecology |
| Institutions | Dartmouth College, Cornell University, University of Connecticut, University of Uppsala |
A leading pioneer in long-term multidisciplinary ecological studies, Likens examines energy flow and biogeochemical flux models in the ecosystems of forests, streams and lakes. Likens is best known for leading the team of scientists that discovered acid rain in North America, and connected fossil fuels with increasing acidity of precipitation. In addition to its scientific impact, this work has influenced public debate and governmental policy, particularly the United States Congress's Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990.