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

845 677-7600 x237

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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.

Have we overemphasized the role of denitrification in aquatic ecosystems? A review of nitrate removal pathways
Burgin, Amy J., and Stephen K. Hamilton. 2007. “Have We Overemphasized the Role of Denitrification in Aquatic Ecosystems? A Review of Nitrate Removal Pathways”. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 5 (2): 89-96. doi:10.1890/1540-9295(2007)5[89:HWOTRO]2.0.CO;2.
Measurement of the stable isotope ratio of dissolved N<sub>2</sub> in <sup>15</sup>N tracer experiments
Hamilton, Stephen K., and Nathaniel E. Ostrom. 2007. “Measurement of the Stable Isotope Ratio of Dissolved N<sub>2< sub> in <sup>15< Sup>N Tracer Experiments”. Limnology and Oceanography - Methods 5 (7): 233-40. doi:10.4319/lom.2007.5.233.
Remote sensing of floodplain geomorphology as a surrogate for biodiversity in a tropical river system (Madre de Dios, Peru)
Hamilton, Stephen K., Josef Kellndorfer, Bernhard Lehner, and Mathias Tobler. 2007. “Remote Sensing of Floodplain Geomorphology As a Surrogate for Biodiversity in a Tropical River System (Madre De Dios, Peru)”. Geomorphology 89 (1-2): 23-38. doi:10.1016/j.geomorph.2006.07.024.
Flow variability in dryland rivers: Boom, bust and the bits in between
Bunn, S. E., M.C. Thoms, Stephen K. Hamilton, and SJ Capon. 2006. “Flow Variability in Dryland Rivers: Boom, Bust and the Bits in Between”. River Research & Applications 22 (2): 179-86. doi:10.1002/rra.904.
Australia's tropical river systems: current scientific understanding and critical knowledge gaps for sustainable management
Hamilton, Stephen K., and PC Gehrke. 2005. “Australia’s Tropical River Systems: Current Scientific Understanding and Critical Knowledge Gaps for Sustainable Management”. Marine and Freshwater Research 56 (3): 243-52. doi:10.1071/MF05063.
Complex interactions between the zebra mussel, <i>Dreissena polymorpha</i>, and the harmful phytoplankton, <i>Microcystis aeruginosa</i>
Sarnelle, O., AE Wilson, Stephen K. Hamilton, LB Knoll, and DF Raikow. 2005. “Complex Interactions Between the Zebra Mussel, <i>Dreissena polymorpha< i>, and the Harmful Phytoplankton, <i>Microcystis aeruginosa< I&gt”;. Limnology and Oceanography 50 (3): 896-904. doi:10.4319/lo.2005.50.3.0896.
Persistence of aquatic refugia between flow pulses in a dryland river system (Cooper Creek, Australia)
Hamilton, Stephen K., S. E. Bunn, M.C. Thoms, and JC Marshall. 2005. “Persistence of Aquatic Refugia Between Flow Pulses in a Dryland River System (Cooper Creek, Australia)”. Limnology and Oceanography 50 (3): 743-54. doi:10.4319/lo.2005.50.3.0743.
Rapid removal of nitrate and sulfate in freshwater wetland sediments
Whitmire, SL, and Stephen K. Hamilton. 2005. “Rapid Removal of Nitrate and Sulfate in Freshwater Wetland Sediments”. Journal of Environmental Quality 34: 2062-71. doi:10.2134/jeq2004.0483.
Separation of algae from detritus for stable isotope or ecological stoichiometry studies using density fractionation in colloidal silica
Hamilton, Stephen K., SJ Sippel, and S. E. Bunn. 2005. “Separation of Algae from Detritus for Stable Isotope or Ecological Stoichiometry Studies Using Density Fractionation in Colloidal Silica”. Limnology and Oceanography - Methods 3 (3): 149-57. doi:10.4319/lom.2005.3.149.
Specular reflection and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy of soils
Reeves, JB, BA Francis, and Stephen K. Hamilton. 2005. “Specular Reflection and Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy of Soils”. Applied Spectroscopy 59 (1): 39-46. doi:10.1366/0003702052940431.