The Hubbard Brook Ecosystem Study (HBES), established in 1963, is one of the longest-running ecological research programs in the world. Located in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, research conducted as part of HBES has significantly advanced our understanding of forest and stream ecosystems.

In July of 2024 we sat down with one of the people at the heart of HBES, Dr. Gene Likens, whose pioneering work has helped shape modern environmental science. Likens spoke with us about the importance of science communication, resisting losing hope in science in the face of science deniers, and when he took his first water sample in the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest.

Dr. Gene Likens first visited Hubbard Brook in March 1962.  “It could have been April, but I think it was March.” He was accompanied by Bob Pierce from the Forest Service, marking the beginning of what would become a pivotal environmental research initiative designed to study the biogeochemical cycles within the forested watersheds. “We started the Hubbard Brook project officially…on the 1st of June of 1963. So that sample was taken a few months before we officially started the long-term project.”

This long-term perspective has allowed scientists to observe and analyze ecological processes and their responses to various environmental changes over decades.

One of the most significant contributions of the HBES was the discovery and study of acid rain. During the 1960s and 1970s, Likens and his colleagues uncovered the widespread environmental damage caused by acidic precipitation. This discovery led to regulatory changes and increased public awareness about the impacts of pollution on ecosystems.

Likens emphasizes the importance of clear communication in environmental science. “We had to do that during the acid rain issue, and that was a huge challenge because there are many divergent views…to try to be clear about the science and why it’s important and what should be done about the findings that are harmful to humans.”

In recent years the Hubbard Brook Ecosystem Study has  provided invaluable insights into the broad understanding of the effects of climate change.

Likens points out that Hubbard Brook research helps bring understanding to the  “variety of things are happening.” He stresses how the long-term data collected at Hubbard Brook have shown clear trends in temperature increase and shifts in seasonal patterns, underscoring the urgent need for action.

Likens highlights the crucial role of environmental scientists in addressing these changes.

“Our knowledge scientifically about climate change is very robust. We know what causes it. We know what it is doing. We know what is happening and we know why. It’s important that we get that message out clearly to the public.” He stresses the importance of making scientific information accessible and understandable to foster informed decision-making and effective policy changes.

One of the challenges faced by scientists, particularly young researchers, is the skepticism and misinformation that can undermine their work. “You just can’t give up,” Likens advises, “you have to keep on trying and work hard to make the message as strong as possible. And it has to be accurate.”

Over the years, Likens has faced his share of challenges in publishing his research. He recalls, “Recently I had a paper that I was trying to publish on the long-term record here at Hubbard Brook…It took me about 12 years to get that paper published.”

Despite the accolades and recognition he has received, Likens remains driven by curiosity and a desire to understand the natural world. “I do science because I’m curious and want to understand how things work. I want to know how the world works as best I can,” he says. This passion for discovery is at the core of the Hubbard Brook Ecosystem Study and continues to inspire new generations of scientists.