Stephen Forbes and the rise of American ecology

"One of the most prominent American biological scientists of his day, Stephen Forbes (1844-1930) is now recognized as an early champion of the emerging field of ecology. Dedicated to public service, he repeatedly demonstrated how ecology and environmental science could not only enlighten citizens but also effect economic change by improving resource use and management. His 1887 work, hailed as pioneering because it stressed the holistic nature of the aquatic ecosystem.

In this comprehensive biography, Robert A. Croker presents Forbes's work as a case study in the transition from nineteenth-century natural history to twentieth-century ecological science."--BOOK JACKET.