Professor David Hamilton

David Hamilton is Environment BOP Chair in Lake Management and Restoration, Centre for Biodiversity and Ecology Research at the University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand.

David Hamilton also leads the Harmful Algal Bloom Management for Lake Biodiversity Restoration Program for Lake Ecosystem Restoration New Zealand. This research will provide action to arrest the decline of lake biodiversity from harmful algal blooms (HABs) and eutrophication generally. It aims to understand critical aspects of the ecology of HABs in New Zealand, and use this knowledge to develop new tools and technologies for early detection and mitigation of HABs and to plan scenarios to address planning scenarios for future lake state. The key components of IO1 include genetic tools for identification of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae), model applications to address future land use and lake water quality scenarios, and examination of chemical treatments for nutrient inactivation.

David has research interests in lake management generally, and specifically in how algal blooms form, how nutrients are transformed and how models can be used for prediction and management of lake ecosystems. Examples of publications on these topics are provided with applications to case studies on the Swan River, New Zealand lakes, Lake Kinneret in Israel and several other sites.

David is an Associate Editor of Hydrobiologia, a member of the Editorial Advisory Committee of Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research, and a member of the Consulting Editorial Board of Aquatic Ecology.David's research expertise in lake and estuary management has been used in many practical situations; through expert advice to the Department of Environmental Protection (Western Australia), the Southern Nevada Water Board (Las Vegas), Environment Bay of Plenty, Environment Waikato, Hamilton City Council, Sydney Water and many other organisations.