ment, the legislature of Washington Cook, R. E. 1977. Raymond Edmondson, W. T. 1991. The uses of State passed a special resolution rec- Lindeman and the trophic–dynam- ecology: Lake Washington and ognizing his contributions to the pub- ics concept in ecology. Science beyond. University of Washington lic welfare. Not adequately covered 198:22–26. Press, Seattle, Washington, USA. by these accolades is the depth of Edmondson, W. T. 1944. Ecological Lampert, W., and U. Sommer. 1997. the friendships that Tommy built studies of sessile Rotatoria: II. Limnoecology. Oxford University with his colleagues and students. His Dynamics of populations and so- Press, New York, New York, enthusiasm for the sciences of ecol- cial structures. Ecological Mono- USA. ogy and limnology was genuinely un- graphs 15:141–172. Lehman, J. T. 1988. Good Professor bounded, as was his delight in new Edmondson, W. T. 1960. Reproduc- Edmondson. Limnology and ideas, revealing data, and the interest- tive rate of rotifers in natural Oceanography 33:1234–1244. ing people who generate them. populations. Memorie dell’Istituto Italiano di Idrobiologia 12:21–77. A complete list of W. T. Literature cited Edmondson, W. T. 1968. A graphical Edmondson’s publications through model for evaluating the use of 1988 is given by Lehman 1988. More Beckel, A. L. 1987. Breaking new the egg ratio for measuring birth recent works can be found by searching waters: a century of limnology at and death rates. Oecologia 1:1– standard website databases. the University of Wisconsin. 37. Transactions of the Wisconsin Edmondson, W. T. 1989. Rotifer study Nelson G. Hairston, Jr. Academy of Sciences, Arts and as a way of life. Hydrobiologia Cornell University Letters, Special Issue. 186/187:1–9. Ithaca, NY 14853

Resolution of Respect

Alton A. Lindsey How do you find words to pay (at least 4 feet dbh) that had been tribute to a life that spanned more toppled in a spring windstorm just l907– 1999 than nine decades, whose “home weeks earlier, creating as it fell, a range” encompassed continents, that huge light gap once filled by the tree possessed unbounded intellectual crown, and uplifting a massive root interests, whose scientific contribu­ wad and tip-up mound of soil. Dr. tions were exemplary, and to whom Lindsey surveyed the great fallen recognitions came in abundance? trunk that he had often measured The very thought is daunting because and admired, and remarked, some­ Dr. Alton Anthony Lindsey was an what wistfully, “Well, we all have to amazing person who lived a remark­ go sometime.” Now, nearly 40 years able life. later, another forest giant has fallen, Al Lindsey, as he preferred to be one of the last of his generation of known to friends and colleagues, died ecological giants. The knowledge gap at the age of 92 at his home in Tulsa, that was created by his passing will Oklahoma, shortly after midnight on be exceedingly difficult to fill. December 19, 1999. Elizabeth, his Alton A. Lindsey was born in devoted wife of over 60 years, and their the village of Monaca, Pennsylvania, daughter Louise were present as he on May 7, 1907, the eldest child and embarked on his final “expedition.” only son of the Rev. Earl C. Lindsey, In late April 1960, during Dr. a Methodist minister, and Lois Lindsey’s plant ecology field trip to Haughton Whitmarsh Lindsey. He one of the best remaining old-growth spent much of his boyhood devoted forests in southern Indiana, we came to nature study in the mountains and upon an enormous white ash tree along the streams of Western Penn-

182 Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America sylvania, in Boy Scout activities, and of Science (1950–1953). A1 Lindsey or, as far as I know, even typewriters learning to be a skilled taxidermist. was the consummate editor, assisting for his own personal use, typically In l925, he graduated from Allegheny literally hundreds of authors in pub­ Al would handwrite his manuscripts High School in Pittsburgh, and en­ lishing their research findings with (usually with a stubby little pencil), tered Allegheny College, Meadville, clarity and precision. Ever compas­ then have the office staff type his Pennsylvania, that fall. At Allegheny sionate and patient, especially with draft copy. He would then make a College he met Paul Siple, the scien­ young scientists struggling to become few minor changes or corrections to tist who subsequently developed the published, he spent thousands of hours the typescript and mail the manu­ well-known Wind Chill Index, while correcting inaccuracies and suggest­ script to the appropriate editor for he and Lindsey served on the Admiral ing improvements in content and flow, publication. Most of his manuscripts Byrd Antarctic Expedition II (BAE 1I). always without ridicule or acrimony. were accepted on first submission, Siple and Lindsey were life-long His own writings, both scientific subject to only minor revision. His friends; both were Eagle Scouts. and popular, are noteworthy among secret and gift? He first carefully Al Lindsey’s graduate work at his wide readership for their economy “wrote” everything in his mind be­ Cornell University, in Ithaca, New of wording, yet wonderfully informa­ fore putting pencil to paper, where­ York, was interrupted by BAE II, tive and entertaining content. He had upon, writing the draft was relatively but he returned to finish his Ph.D. the great gift of making ecology and straightforward. in botany and ornithology in 1937, natural history not only intellectually Al Lindsey actively corresponded, with Dr. Arthur Eames and Dr. A. A. enlightening, but also exciting to his usually in longhand, with a host of Allen as mentors. His graduate re­ readers. Naturalist on Watch, his friends and colleagues throughout his search at Cornell centered on the memoirs published in 1983, which in­ professional life. Prompt responses floral anatomy of the Gentianaceae cludes 41 essays on his lifetime expe­ were his trademark, even in advanced and Menyanthaceae, with a minor riences, plus some literary sketches of age. Among my most treasured keep­ study on the food habits of starlings famous naturalists of years past, is a sakes are his cheerful, informative in New York State. Post-doctoral model of insightful natural history letters, especially those written dur­ education included the first NSF writing. Dr. Louis Sherman, current ing his last weeks, while in failing Tropical Ecology Institute in Costa Chair of Purdue’s Biological Sci­ health. Ever the scientist, in his last Rica (1961), and the first Radiation ences Department, stated last October lengthy letter to me, he critiqued the Ecology Institute at the Oak Ridge (1999) at the dedication ceremony of evolution–creation debate, validating National Laboratory (1962). the Lindsey Field Laboratory at Darwin’s position by reflecting on his After completing his doctorate, Purdue’s Ross Reserve field station, personal remembrances of the John Al Lindsey held faculty appoint­ that, “Every time I read an essay in Scopes trial in the 1920s. ments at American University, Wash­ that little book, I learn something new Early in the 20th century, Dr. ington, D.C. (1937–1940); University and wonderful about ecology.” Charles E. Bessey, botanist at the of Redlands, California (1940–1942); Al Lindsey’s somewhat stern de­ University of Nebraska, would chal­ and the University of New Mexico meanor sometimes belied his whole­ lenge his students, “To keep their (1942–1947), before coming to Purdue some sense of humor and his love of minds in meristematic condition.” I University in 1947. He taught, di­ clever expression. He had a whimsi­ am unsure whether Al Lindsey was rected graduate students, and did re­ cal side that only those closest to him aware of the Besseyan admonition, search in Plant Ecology at Purdue knew and understood. Puns, witti­ but he surely followed it throughout for 27 years, retiring in 1973 at age cisms, epigrams, rhymes, poetry, and his life. Few scientists have experi­ 66 to become Professor Emeritus. prose flowed from his well-stocked enced greater longevity in scholarly “Few investigators, past or present, mind like a spring freshet when he activity. have achieved excellence in such var­ was in a jovial, even playful mood. In fact, Lindsey’s writing career ied aspects of ecology,” the Ecologi­ He particularly loved word reversals. spanned nearly 80 years, from his cal Society of America stated, in One time we were discussing that first publication in the Pittsburgh naming him Eminent Ecologist for some political scoundrel had finally Chronicle-Telegraph at age 13, until 1976. Lindsey also served the Eco­ got his come-uppance, when Lindsey he authored a paper in which he clari­ logical Society as Editor of Ecology blithely said, “Oh well, time wounds fied Admiral Byrd’s role as a polar for five years (1956–1961), then as all heels!” His two light-hearted explorer in Inside Byrd’s Second Ant­ Managing Editor of all ESA publica­ books, Limericks for Land Lovers and arctic Expedition, a 24-page manu­ tions from 1971 to 1973, the latter as Eco-logic and Eco-laughs, both pub­ script produced in 1997, at age 90. In the Ecological Society’s first paid lished under his pseudonym, Windan all, Dr. Lindsey authored 10 books employee. He also was editor of the Waters, are filled with literary gems, (and completed a manuscript for the Plant Ecology Section of Biological each containing ecological wisdom. llth), more than 70 technical papers, Abstracts for many years (1953– Both are a joy to read. including two monographs, and about 1970), and edited four volumes of the Eschewing such modern devices 20 magazine articles on conservation Proceedings of the Indiana Academy as word processors and computers, and natural history. His best known

July 2000 183 books are Natural Features of Indi­ the Holdridge biozone system, micro- Nature Conservancy itself in 1951. ana (1966) and Natural Areas in In­ climatic studies, the vegetation and As early as 1949, he established the diana and their Preservation (1969). life zones of Costa Rica, a 40-year Ross Biological Reserve for field These companion volumes, which redocumentation of photo points at study in ecology and taxonomy at were the first such works for any Mt. Rainier, and aspects of the natu­ Purdue University. His series of per­ state, helped launch efforts to protect ral history of such diverse vertebrates manent plots there still serve as the Indiana’s natural diversity. Nearly 30 as starlings, the New Mexican duck, basis of long-term studies of eco­ years later, at well past age 80, he Weddell and crab-eater seals, and logical succession that continue to­ authored four excellent chapters in penguins. day under the able leadership of The Natural Heritage of Indiana Before age 30, Al Lindsey had Purdue ecologist Dr. Kerry Rabenold (1997), a large-format book recently established himself as one of a very and other Purdue ecologists. Scores published by Indiana University Press. few scientists with expertise in polar of students have conducted part or Another major work was a biography ecology. Being a former Eagle Scout, all of their undergraduate or gradu­ entitled The Bicentennial of John and a ranger-naturalist with moun­ ate research there. In October 1999, James Audubon (l985), also pub­ taineering experience at Mt. Rainier a symposium was held in Al lished by IU Press. National Park, probably favored his Lindsey’s honor to dedicate the new Dr. Lindsey’s wide range of eco­ selection from among some 3000 ap­ log-construction field laboratory at logical and natural history interests, plicants for the position as vertebrate the site. Although his precarious health as well as his discipline, foresight, zoologist and taxidermist for the prevented his attendance, being the and imagination, are reflected in his Byrd Antarctic Expedition II, from dedicated preservationist as long as life list of technical papers. Two 1933 to l935. While there, he wrote he lived, Dr. Lindsey sent a videotape monographs were seminal studies in one of the first published papers on in which he stressed the importance landscape ecology, long before that the biogeography of Antarctica and of protecting natural sites for field term was a part of the ecological studied the natural history of several research in ecology. He once told me lexicon. His pioneer research on a seal and penguin species. During an that ecologists have a moral impera­ huge lava bed area near Grants, New interview late in his life, he described tive to actively pursue the protection Mexico, during the mid-1940s, led to Antarctica and his experience there of natural lands, and should not ex­ “Vegetation and Habitats in a South­ as: “The beauty of the place was so pect private citizens or environmental western Volcanic Area” (Ecological tremendous, so totally unspoiled; that, organizations to “pull their chestnuts Monographs 21:227–253, 1951) and, alone, was reason to go. We went for from the fire,” as he phrased it. in 1988, to the establishment of the the motive of escape – the good kind Dr. Lindsey was a founder and 114,440-acre El Malpais National of escape. We were escaping to rather career-long advocate of The Nature Monument in New Mexico. A decade than escaping from. It was a wonder­ Conservancy, both nationally and in later, his ecological study of 430 ful place to work as an investigator.” Indiana, and guided TNC–Indiana riverine miles, which culminated in Upon their return to America, Presi­ Chapter in the purchase and protec­ “Vegetation and Environment along dent Franklin D. Roosevelt person­ tion of the 600-acre Pine Hills, the Wabash and Tippecanoe Rivers” ally awarded BAE II members a Spe­ Indiana’s first dedicated nature pre­ (Ecological Monographs 31:105–156, cial Congressional Medal. Then in serve (1959). He was a principal in l961), called early attention to a de­ 1960, at Admiral Byrd’s suggestion, the establishment of the Indiana veloping interest in riparian ecology. 12 unspoiled islands off Antarctica Dunes National Lakeshore, and pro­ He and others strenuously opposed were named the Lindsey Islands in moted the protection of Merry Lea several proposed projects to make the his honor, and in recognition of his Environmental Center and Big Wal­ Wabash River navigable. Today the work there. At his death, he was the nut Nature Preserve, all among Wabash remains as one of the largest last surviving scientist of the Byrd Indiana’s finest natural lands. He also free-flowing streams in the eastern Expeditions. During his early years at helped to originate and assure pas­ United States. Purdue University, as a mature scien­ sage of the Indiana Nature Preserves He and his graduate students pub­ tist, he also studied permafrost and Act (1967), and secured a $35,000 lished regularly in a variety of qual­ vegetation patterns in the Mackenzie Ford Foundation Grant in the same ity journals on subjects ranging from River delta region of the North year to fund the nation’s first state­ field efficiencies of forest sampling American arctic. wide inventory of natural sites. Visit­ methods, spring flowering phenology, For decades, Alton Lindsey stood ing 340 of Indiana’s most outstand­ ecological analysis of presettlement at the ramparts of natural area preser­ ing natural sites, Lindsey described vegetation of Indiana, studies of mid- vation in Indiana, and had an impor­ and ranked the areas as to their western old-growth forests, LTER tant role nationally as a member of quality and importance. This effort (Long-term Ecological Research) stud­ the Ecologist’s Union, the ESA Com­ culminated in the 594-page volume, ies using large-scale maps of old- mittee that initiated biodiversity pro­ Natural Areas in Indiana and their growth forests, ecological life histo­ tection before that term was coined, Preservation (1969), co-authored with ries of forest herbs and forest trees, and prior to the establishment of The Dr. Damian V. Schmelz and Stanley

184 Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America Nichols, graduate students who multaneously. Rather than use lecture being whose sustained commitment worked on the project. In 1974, The time putting detailed information on continues ... .” To this I would add, Nature Conservancy awarded him its the chalkboard, he prepared, in ad­ “ He was a modest, gentle, humble Indiana Chapter Award for his long vance, a multitude of charts on man whose incisive wit, ever-present and meritorious service in protecting posterboard, which he placed strate­ good humor, and life-long achieve­ natural areas in Indiana. gically around the room as he talked ments inspired us all.” He mentored about 30 masters, animatedly; one such diagram of hy­ On April, 22, 2000, appropriately pre-doctoral, and postdoctoral stu­ drosere and xerosere successions on Earth Day, because Dr. Alton A. dents, their research largely centered (about 30 feet long), was unrolled as Lindsey was truly an Earthperson, on projects involving plant ecology he spoke, in effect causing succession his family, and close friends, some and biodiversity protection. My gen­ to advance before your eyes! coming from as far away as Rome, eration of graduate students affec­ In recognition of his lifetime Italy, assembled at a beautiful loca­ tionately referred to him as A2, be­ achievements, both Allegheny Col­ tion just off the Blue Ridge Parkway cause of his double A initials. He lege and Purdue University pre­ in far southern Virginia, and cel­ taught by his personal approach to sented Al Lindsey with Honorary ebrated, by words of tribute and read­ science and to life, including his Doctor of Science degrees (in 1988 ings of poetry, the remarkable life of strong commitment to preserving the and 1995, respectively). Moreover, this caring, sensitive, human being. integrity of the biosphere, as frequent­ Goshen College in Indiana estab­ His ashes were interred at that site ly as he instructed us in ecological lished the Lindsey Fellowship in En­ during the memorial service. theory. Dr. John O. Sawyer, Jr. of vironmental Education (1985) to pro­ Humboldt State University, who com­ vide funding to worthy undergraduate Overview pleted both his M.S. and Ph.D. under students; likewise, Purdue University Dr. Lindsey’s direction, commented founded the Alton A. Lindsey Fel­ The gathering raindrops flow to me recently that Al Lindsey’s ex­ lowship in Ecology (1992) to assist To fill the seas. ample as a person was easily as valu­ outstanding graduate students major­ able to him during his academic ca­ ing in ecology. In 1995, the Natural Each night knows when to end reer as was the classroom and field Areas Association honored him with So day can break, instruction that he received. No one the George B. Fell Award for his life­ else in my acquaintance has personi­ time dedication to biodiversity pro­ A single bud will burst fied foresight, discipline, dedication, tection. In 1996 the Indiana Academy To start the spring. diligence, organization, persistence, of Science recognized his life’s work and attention to detail at quite the with only its second Distinguished A love will find its own; level that Al Lindsey did. Scholar Award. The first went to a A child come true. Always a model of efficiency and Nobel Laureate. Four books have clarity of expression in the classroom, been dedicated to Dr. Lindsey, and Mankind will learn at last Dr. Lindsey used an array of tech­ his biographical sketches have ap­ And life go on. niques to bring the environment into peared in more than 10 Who’s Who his lectures, to summarize data, and and similar publications, including –Alton A. Lindsey, from The to elucidate ecological principles. An Who’s Who in the World. Natural Heritage of Indiana (1997) excellent photographer, he had a vast In the 1976 words of the late Dr. collection of beautiful Kodachrome Robert O. Petty, those who knew him slides from years of travel to a variety well have an “image of a wholly con­ of biomes. Decades before the avail­ cerned human being, a man of stern Marion T. Jackson ability of such electronic presentation self-discipline but compassionate in­ Professor of Ecology techniques as Power Point, he put to­ sight, who quoted poetry at length Indiana State University gether highly informative and enter­ over the tedious portions of field Terre Haute, IN 47809 taining slide lectures, sometimes em­ work ... a dedicated scientist, teacher, (Ph.D. in Plant Ecology, 1964, ploying two or three projectors si­ editor, poet, and supremely human Purdue University)

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