Dr. Stephen K. Hamilton

Ecosystem Ecologist, Biogeochemist | PhD, University of California at Santa Barbara

Expertise
wetlands, streams, rivers and lakes, agricultural ecology, water quality, tropical rivers, floodplains

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Stephen Hamilton’s principal research interests involve ecosystem ecology and biogeochemistry, with particular emphasis on water. He has studied wetlands, streams, lakes, reservoirs, and watersheds, as well as agricultural cropping systems and their effects on water and climate. His research draws on multiple disciplines to understand and mitigate environmental problems and inform environmental protection and conservation.

Hamilton’s research publications include studies of nutrient cycling, greenhouse gas emissions, invasive species, food webs, remote sensing, conservation planning, and hydrology. He has received awards for his engagement with environmental issues from the Michigan Environmental Council and the Society for Freshwater Science, and is a Fellow of that society.

Hamilton has conducted a variety of studies in tropical floodplain and river ecosystems of South America and Australia, and presently works with several research groups in Brazil on hydropower effects on river systems.

Hamilton also works part-time as a Professor at Michigan State University’s Kellogg Biological Station. Here, Hamilton has recently served as the Lead Principal Investigator of the National Science Foundation’s Long Term Ecological Research site. He is also a Project Leader in the Department of Energy’s Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center.

Climate change may impair electricity generation and economic viability of future Amazon hydropower
Almeida, Rafael M., AS Fleischmann, JPF Breda, DS Cardoso, H Angarita, W Collischonn, B Forsberg, et al. (2025) 2021. “Climate Change May Impair Electricity Generation and Economic Viability of Future Amazon Hydropower”. GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE-HUMAN AND POLICY DIMENSIONS 71. doi:10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2021.102383.
Long‐term increases in shell thickness in Elliptio complanata (Bivalvia: Unionidae) in the freshwater tidal Hudson River
Strayer, David L., Stephen K. Hamilton, and Heather M. Malcom. 2021. “Long‐term Increases in Shell Thickness in Elliptio Complanata (Bivalvia: Unionidae) in the Freshwater Tidal Hudson River”. Freshwater Biology 66 (7). Wiley: 1375-81. doi:10.1111/fwb.13723.
Cascading effects: insights from the U.S. Long Term Ecological Research Network
Bahlai, Christie A., Clarisse Hart, Maria T. Kavanaugh, Jeffrey D. White, Roger W. Ruess, Todd J. Brinkman, Hugh W. Ducklow, et al. 2021. “Cascading Effects: Insights from the U.S. Long Term Ecological Research Network”. Ecosphere 12 (5). Wiley. doi:10.1002/ecs2.3430.
Albedo-induced global warming impact of Conservation Reserve Program grasslands converted to annual and perennial bioenergy crops
Abraha, Michael, Jiquan Chen, Stephen K. Hamilton, Pietro Sciusco, Cheyenne Lei, Gabriela Shirkey, Jing Yuan, and Philip Robertson. 2021. “Albedo-Induced Global Warming Impact of Conservation Reserve Program Grasslands Converted to Annual and Perennial Bioenergy Crops”. Environmental Research Letters 16 (8). IOP Publishing: 084059. doi:10.1088/1748-9326/ac1815.
Alternative Biogeochemical States of River Pools Mediated by Hippo Use and Flow Variability
Dutton, Christopher L., Amanda L. Subalusky, Stephen K. Hamilton, Ella C. Bayer, Laban Njoroge, Emma J. Rosi, and David M. Post. 2020. “Alternative Biogeochemical States of River Pools Mediated by Hippo Use and Flow Variability”. Ecosystems. Springer Science and Business Media LLC. doi:10.1007/s10021-020-00518-3.
Leaching losses of dissolved organic carbon and nitrogen from agricultural soils in the upper US Midwest
Hussain, Mir Zaman, Philip Robertson, Bruno Basso, and Stephen K. Hamilton. 2020. “Leaching Losses of Dissolved Organic Carbon and Nitrogen from Agricultural Soils in the Upper US Midwest”. Science of The Total Environment 734. Elsevier BV: 139379. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139379.
Hydropeaking Operations of Two Run-of-River Mega-Dams Alter Downstream Hydrology of the Largest Amazon Tributary
Almeida, R. M., Stephen K. Hamilton, Emma J. Rosi, N. Barros, C. R. C. Doria, A. S. Flecker, A. S. Fleischmann, A. J. Reisinger, and F. Roland. (2025) 2020. “Hydropeaking Operations of Two Run-of-River Mega-Dams Alter Downstream Hydrology of the Largest Amazon Tributary”. Frontiers in Environmental Science 8.
Measuring Floodplain Inundation Using Diel Amplitude of Temperature
Celi, J. E., and Stephen K. Hamilton. (2025) 2020. “Measuring Floodplain Inundation Using Diel Amplitude of Temperature”. Sensors 20 (21).
Long‐term evapotranspiration rates for rainfed corn versus perennial bioenergy crops in a mesic landscape
Abraha, Michael, Jiquan Chen, Stephen K. Hamilton, and Philip Robertson. 2020. “Long‐term Evapotranspiration Rates for Rainfed Corn Versus Perennial Bioenergy Crops in a Mesic Landscape”. Hydrological Processes 34 (3). Wiley: 810-22. doi:10.1002/hyp.13630.
Further Development of Small Hydropower Facilities Will Significantly Reduce Sediment Transport to the Pantanal Wetland of Brazil
Fantin-Cruz, I., M. D. de Oliveira, J. A. Campos, M. M. de Campos, L. D. Ribeiro, R. Mingoti, M. L. de Souza, O. Pedrollo, and Stephen K. Hamilton. (2025) 2020. “Further Development of Small Hydropower Facilities Will Significantly Reduce Sediment Transport to the Pantanal Wetland of Brazil”. Frontiers in Environmental Science 8.