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

Email Download CV
  • Profile
  • Publications

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.

Comparative water use by maize, perennial crops, restored prairie, and poplar trees in the US Midwest
Hamilton, Stephen K., M. Z. Hussain, A. K. Bhardwaj, B. Basso, and G. P. Robertson. 2015. “Comparative Water Use by Maize, Perennial Crops, Restored Prairie, and Poplar Trees in the US Midwest”. Environmental Research Letters 10. doi:10.1088/1748-9326/10/6/064015.
Development of a global inundation map at high spatial resolution from topographic downscaling of coarse-scale remote sensing data
Fluet-Chouinard, Etienne, Bernhard Lehner, Lisa-Maria Rebelo, Fabrice Papa, and Stephen K. Hamilton. 2015. “Development of a Global Inundation Map at High Spatial Resolution from Topographic Downscaling of Coarse-Scale Remote Sensing Data”. Remote Sensing of Environment 158: 348-61. doi:10.1016/j.rse.2014.10.015.
Does flood rhythm drive ecosystem responses in tropical riverscapes?
Jardine, Timothy D., Nicholas R. Bond, Michele A. Burford, Mark J. Kennard, Douglas P. Ward, Peter Bayliss, Peter M. Davies, et al. 2015. “Does Flood Rhythm Drive Ecosystem Responses in Tropical Riverscapes?”. Ecology 96 (3): 684-92. doi:10.1890/14-0991.1.
Effects of a diversion hydropower facility on the hydrological regime of the Correntes River, a tributary to the Pantanal floodplain, Brazil
Fantin-Cruz, Ibraim, Olavo Pedrollo, Pierre Girard, Peter Zeilhofer, and Stephen K. Hamilton. 2015. “Effects of a Diversion Hydropower Facility on the Hydrological Regime of the Correntes River, a Tributary to the Pantanal Floodplain, Brazil”. Journal of Hydrology 531: 810-20. doi:10.1016/j.jhydrol.2015.10.045.
Evapotranspiration of annual and perennial biofuel crops in a variable climate
Abraha, Michael, Jiquan Chen, Housen Chu, Terenzio Zenone, Ranjeet John, Yahn-Jauh Su, Stephen K. Hamilton, and Philip Robertson. 2015. “Evapotranspiration of Annual and Perennial Biofuel Crops in a Variable Climate”. Global Change Biology - Bioenergy 7 (6): 1344-56. doi:10.1111/gcbb.12239.
Organic matter stocks increase with degree of invasion in temperate inland wetlands
Martina, J.P., Stephen K. Hamilton, M. R. Turetsky, and C. J. Phillippo. 2014. “Organic Matter Stocks Increase With Degree of Invasion in Temperate Inland Wetlands”. Plant and Soil 385 (1-2): 107-23. doi:10.1007/s11104-014-2211-9.
Plant-mediated transport and isotopic composition of methane from shallow tropical wetlands
Hamilton, Stephen K., Suzanne J. Sippel, Jeffrey P. Chanton, and John M. Melack. 2014. “Plant-Mediated Transport and Isotopic Composition of Methane from Shallow Tropical Wetlands”. Inland Waters 4 (4): 369-76. doi:10.5268/IW-4.4.734.
Re-flooding a historically drained wetland leads to rapid sediment phosphorus release
Kinsman-Costello, Lauren E., Jonathan O’Brien, and Stephen K. Hamilton. 2014. “Re-Flooding a Historically Drained Wetland Leads to Rapid Sediment Phosphorus Release”. Ecosystems 17 (4): 641-56. doi:10.1007/s10021-014-9748-6.
The relative importance of groundwater and its ecological implications in diverse glacial wetlands
Thobaben, Eric T., and Stephen K. Hamilton. 2014. “The Relative Importance of Groundwater and Its Ecological Implications in Diverse Glacial Wetlands”. American Midland Naturalist 172 (2): 205-18. doi:10.1674/0003-0031-172.2.205.
Understanding and overcoming baseline isotopic variability in running waters
Jardine, T. D., W. L. Hadwen, Stephen K. Hamilton, S. Hladyz, S. M. Mitrovic, K. A. Kidd, W . Y. Tsoi, et al. 2014. “Understanding and Overcoming Baseline Isotopic Variability in Running Waters”. River Research and Applications 30 (2): 155-65. doi:10.1002/rra.2630.