Wilfred Wollheim

In understanding the environment as an integrated system, WSAG explores the physical, chemical and biological processes that shape hydrological systems, with emphasis on the unique role of humans as agents of change. Our research and educational programs cross the boundaries of traditional scientific disciplines to foster interdisciplinary understanding of environmental change. Through field monitoring, whole ecosystem experiments, novel in situ sensor deployments, and dynamic hydrological and ecosystem modeling, we attempt to understand hydrological and biogeochemical dynamics at scales ranging from individual ecosystems, to whole river systems, to the global systems of inland waters. Built on strong collaborations that are national and international in scope, our group also serves as a teaching platform for the next generation of ecosystem and earth system scientists.
The success of the Water Systems Analysis Group reflects a rapidly emerging scientific field which pursues integrative studies of hydrology, biogeochemistry, and human-water interactions that is necessary to analyze the full dimension of anthropogenic change at local, regional, and global scales.
Courses Taught
- NR 400: Professional Perspective NR
- NR 504: Freshwater Resources
- NR 707/807: Environmental Modeling
- NR 751/851: Aquatic Ecosystems
- NR 795W: Investigations
- NR 905: Grant Writing
Selected Publications
Johnston, R. J., Moeltner, K., Peery, S., Ndebele, T., Yao, Z., Crema, S., . . . Besedin, E. (2023). Spatial dimensions of water quality value in New England river networks.. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 120(18), e2120255119. doi:10.1073/pnas.2120255119
Gaiser, E. E., Kominoski, J. S., McKnight, D. M., Bahlai, C. A., Cheng, C., Record, S., . . . Sutter, L. A. (2022). Long-term ecological research and the COVID-19 anthropause: A window to understanding social-ecological disturbance. ECOSPHERE, 13(4). doi:10.1002/ecs2.4019
Wollheim, W. M., Harms, T. K., Robison, A. L., Koenig, L. E., Helton, A. M., Song, C., . . . Finlay, J. C. (2022). Superlinear scaling of riverine biogeochemical function with watershed size. NATURE COMMUNICATIONS, 13(1). doi:10.1038/s41467-022-28630-z
Huang, T., Wollheim, W. M., & Jones, S. H. (2022). Removal of Fecal Indicator Bacteria by River Networks. WATER, 14(4). doi:10.3390/w14040617
Robison, A. L., Wollheim, W. M., Turek, B., Bova, C., Snay, C., & Varner, R. K. (2021). Spatial and temporal heterogeneity of methane ebullition in lowland headwater streams and the impact on sampling design. LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY, 66(12), 4063-4076. doi:10.1002/lno.11943
Deegan, L. A., Johnson, D. S., Warren, R. S., Peterson, B. J., Fleeger, J. W., Fagherazzi, S., & Wollheim, W. M. (2012). Coastal eutrophication as a driver of salt marsh loss. NATURE, 490(7420), 388-+. doi:10.1038/nature11533
Beaulieu, J. J., Tank, J. L., Hamilton, S. K., Wollheim, W. M., Jr, H. R. O., Mulholland, P. J., . . . Thomas, S. M. (2011). Nitrous oxide emission from denitrification in stream and river networks. PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 108(1), 214-219. doi:10.1073/pnas.1011464108
Harrison, J. A., Maranger, R. J., Alexander, R. B., Giblin, A. E., Jacinthe, P. -A., Mayorga, E., . . . Wollheim, W. M. (2009). The regional and global significance of nitrogen removal in lakes and reservoirs. BIOGEOCHEMISTRY, 93(1-2), 143-157. doi:10.1007/s10533-008-9272-x
Pellerin, B. A., Wollheim, W. M., Feng, X., & Vorosmarty, C. J. (2008). The application of electrical conductivity as a tracer for hydrograph separation in urban catchments. HYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES, 22(12), 1810-1818. doi:10.1002/hyp.6786
Peterson, B. J., Wollheim, W. M., Mulholland, P. J., Webster, J. R., Meyer, J. L., Tank, J. L., . . . Morrall, D. D. (2001). Control of nitrogen export from watersheds by headwater streams. SCIENCE, 292(5514), 86-90. doi:10.1126/science.1056874
Most Cited Publications