Likens, Gene E. The ecosystem approach: Its use and abuse

Oldendorf/Luhe, Germany: Ecology Institute, 1992. — XXIV+166 p. — (Excellence in Ecology 3). The third book in the series 'Excellence in Ecology' benefits from Gene Likens' unique long-term expertise on ecosystem functions and structures. The author elucidates, with a keen sense of critical, systematic inquiry and ethical responsibility, the instrumentarium of modern ecological research. He explains and documents what it can do. And he outlines what, in his opinion, must be done to avoid, or reduce, human-caused damage to our planet.
The book consists of the following sections: (I) The inclusive nature of ecology; (II) Style and method in ecosystem ecology: 1) Approaches to the study of ecosystem ecology, 2) Sustained ecological research, 3) Air-land-water linages and interactions; (III) Ecosystem ecology and society: 1) The water crisis, 2) Environmental issues, scientific communication and ethics, 3) Ecology, ecosystems, and environmentalism; (IV) Epilogue.