Walter Dodds

Dr. Walter Dodds is a University Distinguished Professor in the Division of Biology at Kansas State University. His research focuses on nutrient cycling, water quality, and prairie stream ecology, with a particular emphasis on nitrogen dynamics and its implications for human health and environmental conservation.

• Education
  • Ph.D. in Aquatic Ecology, University of Oregon (1986)

Research Interests include:

• Understanding nitrogen and phosphorus cycling in freshwater ecosystems.
• Establishing scientific criteria for nutrient management in streams.
• Assessing the impact of land use and climate change on aquatic habitats.
• Valuation of ecosystem services provided by aquatic systems.

Recent Publication Trends highlight studies on:

• Nitrate contamination and cancer risks in drinking water.
• Climate change effects on stream productivity and nutrient retention.
• Interdisciplinary collaborations using stable isotopes and biogeochemical modeling.
• Microbial community dynamics in grassland and tropical streams.

Lab & Collaborations:

• Lead investigator at the Dodds Lab, active since 1990, focusing on freshwater ecology.
• Key projects include the Konza Long Term Ecological Research and Microbiomes of Aquatic Plant and Soil Systems (MAPS).
• Collaborations span institutions in the U.S., Brazil, and global networks.