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.

Seasonal inundation patterns in two large savanna floodplains of South America: the Llanos de Moxos (Bolivia) and the Llanos del Orinoco (Venezuela and Colombia)
Hamilton, Stephen K., SJ Sippel, and J.M. Melack. 2004. “Seasonal Inundation Patterns in Two Large Savanna Floodplains of South America: The Llanos de Moxos (Bolivia) and the Llanos del Orinoco (Venezuela and Colombia)”. Hydrological Processes 18 (11): 2103-16. doi:10.1002/hyp.5559.
Stream denitrification and total nitrate uptake rates measured using a field <sup>15</sup>N tracer addition approach
Mulholland, P.J., H.M. Valett, J.R. Webster, S. A. Thomas, L.W. Cooper, Stephen K. Hamilton, and B.J. Peterson. 2004. “Stream Denitrification and Total Nitrate Uptake Rates Measured Using a Field <sup>15< Sup>N Tracer Addition Approach”. Limnology and Oceanography 49 (3): 809-20. doi:10.4319/lo.2004.49.3.0809.
Carbon and nitrogen stoichiometry and nitrogen cycling rates in streams
Dodds, W. K., E. Marti, J.L. Tank, J Pontius, Stephen K. Hamilton, N. B. Grimm, W.B. Bowden, et al. 2004. “Carbon and Nitrogen Stoichiometry and Nitrogen Cycling Rates in Streams”. Oecologia 140 (3): 458-67. doi:10.1007/s00442-004-1599-y.
Dominance of the noxious cyanobacterium <i>Microcystis aeruginosa</i> in low-nutrient lakes is associated with exotic zebra mussels
Raikow, DF, O. Sarnelle, AE Wilson, and Stephen K. Hamilton. 2004. “Dominance of the Noxious Cyanobacterium <i>Microcystis Aeruginosa< I> In Low-Nutrient Lakes Is Associated With Exotic Zebra Mussels”. Limnology and Oceanography 49 (2): 482-87. doi:10.4319/lo.2004.49.2.0482.
Regionalization of methane emissions in the Amazon Basin with microwave remote sensing
Melack, J.M., LL Hess, M Gastil, BR Forsberg, Stephen K. Hamilton, IBT Lima, and EMLM Novo. 2004. “Regionalization of Methane Emissions in the Amazon Basin With Microwave Remote Sensing”. Global Change Biology 10 (5): 530-44. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2486.2004.00763.x.
The role of instream vs allochthonous N in stream food webs: modeling the results of an isotope addition experiment
Hamilton, Stephen K., J.L. Tank, DF Raikow, ER Siler, NJ Dorn, and N.E. Leonard. 2004. “The Role of Instream Vs Allochthonous N in Stream Food Webs: Modeling the Results of an Isotope Addition Experiment”. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 23: 429-48. doi:10.1899/0887-3593(2004)023<0429:TROIVA>2.0.CO;2.
Factors affecting ammonium uptake in streams – an inter-biome perspective
Webster, J.R., P.J. Mulholland, J.L. Tank, H.M. Valett, Walter K. Dodds, B.J. Peterson, W.B. Bowden, et al. 2003. “Factors Affecting Ammonium Uptake in Streams – an Inter-Biome Perspective”. Freshwater Biology 48 (8): 1329-52. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2427.2003.01094.x.
Can uptake length in streams be determined by nutrient addition experiments? Results from an interbiome comparison study
Mulholland, P.J., J.L. Tank, J.R. Webster, W.B. Bowden, W. K. Dodds, S.V. Gregory, N. B. Grimm, et al. 2002. “Can Uptake Length in Streams Be Determined by Nutrient Addition Experiments? Results from an Interbiome Comparison Study”. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 21: 544-60. doi:10.2307/1468429.
Comparison of inundation patterns among major South American floodplains
Hamilton, Stephen K., SJ Sippel, and J.M. Melack. 2002. “Comparison of Inundation Patterns Among Major South American Floodplains”. Journal of Geophysical Research - Atmospheres 107 (D20): LBA 5-1 . doi:10.1029/2000JD000306.
A cross-system comparison of bacterial and fungal biomass in detritus pools of headwater streams
Findlay, Stuart E. G., J.L. Tank, S. Dye, H.M. Valett, P.J. Mulholland, William H. McDowell, S.L. Johnson, et al. 2002. “A Cross-System Comparison of Bacterial and Fungal Biomass in Detritus Pools of Headwater Streams”. Microbial Ecology 43 (1): 55-66. doi:10.1007/s00248-001-1020-x.