Luna Bergere Leopold | |
|---|---|
 Leopold, c. 1971 | |
| Born | (1915-10-08)October 8, 1915 |
| Died | February 23, 2006(2006-02-23) (aged 90) |
| Alma mater | University of Wisconsin–Madison,University of California, Los Angeles,Harvard University |
| Parent | Aldo Leopold |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | geomorphology,hydrology |
Luna Bergere Leopold (October 8, 1915 – February 23, 2006) was a leadingU.S.geomorphologist andhydrologist, and son ofAldo Leopold. He received a B.S. incivil engineering from theUniversity of Wisconsin in 1936; an M.S. inphysics-meteorology from theUniversity of California, Los Angeles in 1944; and a Ph.D. ingeology fromHarvard University in 1950.[1]
Leopold is widely known in his primary field for his work influvial geomorphology and for the classic book,Fluvial Processes in Geomorphology, that he wrote withGordon Wolman and John Miller.[2]
Leopold suggested that a new philosophy ofwater management is needed, one based on geologic, geographic, and climatic factors as well as traditional economic, social, and political factors. He argued that the management of water resources cannot be successful as long as it is naïvely perceived from an economic and political standpoint, as it is in thestatus quo.
From 1937 to 1940, Leopold worked as an engineer for the U.S.Soil Conservation Service inNew Mexico. In 1940, he enlisted and was a part of theU.S. Army Weather Service and theArmy Air Force. He was in the Army until 1946 and he rose from the rank of Private to Captain.
From 1946 to 1950, Leopold served as the ChiefMeteorologist of thePineapple Research Institute,Hawaii. In 1950, he joined theU.S. Geological Survey. He worked for theUSGS until 1972 serving as Hydraulic Engineer (1950–56), Chief Hydrologist (1956–66), and Senior Research Hydrologist (1966–72). During his tenure as Chief Hydrologist he made lasting changes in the conduct of hydrology in the USGS. He unified the field offices of the Water Resources Division from being identified as surface water, groundwater, or quality of water offices and formed single district offices, one for each state. He also created the National Research Program of the Water Resources Division. In addition he promoted the importance of USGS working on the important and controversial topics such as land use change, flood control, water pollution, and groundwater development.
In 1972, Leopold joined the faculty of theUniversity of California, Berkeley as a professor in the Department of Geology and Geophysics and Department of Landscape Architecture. He retired in 1986 and continued as a Professor Emeritus until his death in 2006.
