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.

Measuring Floodplain Inundation Using Diel Amplitude of Temperature
Celi, J. E., and Stephen K. Hamilton. (2024) 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. (2024) 2020. “Further Development of Small Hydropower Facilities Will Significantly Reduce Sediment Transport to the Pantanal Wetland of Brazil”. Frontiers in Environmental Science 8.
Long‐term variability and density dependence in Hudson River Dreissena populations
Strayer, David L., David T. Fischer, Stephen K. Hamilton, Heather M. Malcom, Michael L. Pace, and Christopher T. Solomon. 2020. “Long‐term Variability and Density Dependence in Hudson River Dreissena Populations”. Freshwater Biology 65 (3). Wiley: 474-89. doi:10.1111/fwb.13444.
Nitrate Leaching from Continuous Corn, Perennial Grasses, and Poplar in the US Midwest
Hussain, Mir Zaman, Ajay K. Bhardwaj, Bruno Basso, Philip Robertson, and Stephen K. Hamilton. 2019. “Nitrate Leaching from Continuous Corn, Perennial Grasses, and Poplar in the US Midwest”. Journal of Environmental Quality 48 (6). Wiley: 1849-55. doi:10.2134/jeq2019.04.0156.
Complex interactions between climate change, sanitation, and groundwater quality: a case study from Ramotswa, Botswana
McGill, Bonnie, Yvan Altchenko, Stephen K. Hamilton, Piet K. Kenabatho, Steven R. Sylvester, and Karen G. Villholth. 2019. “Complex Interactions Between Climate Change, Sanitation, and Groundwater Quality: A Case Study from Ramotswa, Botswana”. Hydrogeology Journal 27 (3): 997-1015. doi:10.1007/s10040-018-1901-4.
Evapotranspiration and water use efficiency of continuous maize and maize and soybean in rotation in the upper Midwest U.S.
Hussain, M. Z., Stephen K. Hamilton, Ajay K. Bhardwaj, B. Basso, Kurt D. Thelen, and G. P. Robertson. 2019. “Evapotranspiration and Water Use Efficiency of Continuous Maize and Maize and Soybean in Rotation in the Upper Midwest U.S”. Agricultural Water Management 221: 92-98. doi:10.1016/j.agwat.2019.02.049.
Widespread diminishing anthropogenic effects on calcium in freshwaters
Weyhenmeyer, Gesa A., Jens Hartmann, Dag O. Hessen, Jiří Kopáček, Josef Hejzlar, Stéphan Jacquet, Stephen K. Hamilton, et al. 2019. “Widespread Diminishing Anthropogenic Effects on Calcium in Freshwaters”. Scientific Reports 9 (1). Springer Science and Business Media LLC. doi:10.1038/s41598-019-46838-w.
Seasonal and Long-Term Dynamics in Stream Water Sodium Chloride Concentrations and the Effectiveness of Road Salt Best Management Practices
Kelly, Victoria R., Stuart E. G. Findlay, Stephen K. Hamilton, Gary M. Lovett, and Kathleen C. Weathers. 2019. “Seasonal and Long-Term Dynamics in Stream Water Sodium Chloride Concentrations and the Effectiveness of Road Salt Best Management Practices”. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution 230 (1). doi:10.1007/s11270-018-4060-2.
Characterizing seasonal dynamics of Amazonian wetlands for conservation and decision making
Reis, Vanessa, Virgilio Hermoso, Stephen K. Hamilton, Stuart E. Bunn, Etienne Fluet‐Chouinard, Bill Venables, and Simon Linke. 2019. “Characterizing Seasonal Dynamics of Amazonian Wetlands for Conservation and Decision Making”. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems 29 (7). Wiley: 1073-82. doi:10.1002/aqc.3051.