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.

As of 2024, Hamilton is retired from both Cary Institute and from his long-time position as a Professor at Michigan State University’s Kellogg Biological Station, though he will remain academically active. At Michigan State, Hamilton was a principal investigator for the National Science Foundation’s Long Term Ecological Research site and a Project Leader in the Department of Energy’s Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center. He now lives in northern Michigan.

Rates of anaerobic microbial metabolism in wetlands of divergent hydrology on a glacial landscape
Whitmire, Stefanie L., and Stephen K. Hamilton. 2008. “Rates of Anaerobic Microbial Metabolism in Wetlands of Divergent Hydrology on a Glacial Landscape”. Wetlands 28 (3): 703-14. doi:10.1672/06-126.1.
Evidence for carbon sequestration by agricultural liming
Hamilton, Stephen K., Amanda L. Kurzman, Clay P. Arango, Lixin Jin, and Philip Robertson. 2007. “Evidence for Carbon Sequestration by Agricultural Liming”. Global Biogeochemical Cycles 21 (2). doi:10.1029/2006GB002738.
Freshwater conservation planning in data-poor areas: An example from a remote Amazonian basin (Madre de Dios River, Peru and Bolivia)
Thieme, Michele, Bernhard Lehner, Robin Abell, Stephen K. Hamilton, Josef Kellndorfer, George Powell, and Juan Carlos Riveros. 2007. “Freshwater Conservation Planning in Data-Poor Areas: An Example from a Remote Amazonian Basin (Madre De Dios River, Peru and Bolivia)”. Biological Conservation 135 (4): 484-501. doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2006.10.054.
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.
Controls on algal abundance in a eutrophic river with varying degrees of impoundment (Kalamazoo River, Michigan, USA)
Reid, Nicole J., and Stephen K. Hamilton. 2007. “Controls on Algal Abundance in a Eutrophic River With Varying Degrees of Impoundment (Kalamazoo River, Michigan, USA)”. Lake and Reservoir Management 23 (3): 219-30. doi:10.1080/07438140709354011.
Ecosystem services and agriculture: Cultivating agricultural ecosystems for diverse benefits
Swinton, Scott M., Frank Lupi, Philip Robertson, and Stephen K. Hamilton. 2007. “Ecosystem Services and Agriculture: Cultivating Agricultural Ecosystems for Diverse Benefits”. Ecological Economics 64 (2): 245-52. doi:10.1016/j.ecolecon.2007.09.020.
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.
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.