Dr. Kathleen C. Weathers

Ecosystem Scientist | PhD, Rutgers University

Expertise
air-land-water interactions, heterogeneous landscapes, ecological importance of fog, air pollution, team science: training and research

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Kathleen Weathers studies how ecosystem processes are affected by global changes within and among aquatic, airborne, and terrestrial systems.

Weathers is an expert on fog, which carries not only water, but nutrients, pollutants, and pathogens to the coastal and montane ecosystems it enshrouds. She studies feedbacks among ocean, air, and fog- dominated forests and, recently, how fog may affect transfer of pathogens from water to land.

As part of a long-term collaboration with Alexandra Ponette-González (University of Utah), students, and colleagues, Weathers is studying the effects of mineral dust and black carbon. Mineral dust can deliver toxic pollutants to ecosystems and is a growing concern as climate change exacerbates drought. Black carbon is known to cause lung and heart disease. This collaborative team is studying the role of vegetation in abating black carbon in urban areas.

From cyanobacteria to cyberinfrastructure, Weathers has spent the last two decades studying the impact of climate change on lakes. She was co-chair of the Global Lake Ecological Observatory Network (GLEON) for 10 years, guiding GLEON from its infancy to adulthood. The GLEON network’s aim: Through international team science, understand, predict, and communicate lakes’ response to environmental change using in-situ and remotely sensed data. This work encompasses impacts from human activities, including climate change, road salting, and land use.

Weathers and her colleagues have created a new model for interdisciplinary, network research that empowers early career scientists. The GLEON Fellowship Program/Lake Expeditions, designed and led by Weathers and Paul C. Hanson of UWisconsin, engages student cohorts in learning and using leadership and collaborative skills (a.k.a., team science) as well as cutting-edge analytical tools — such as machine learning — to answer pressing research questions focused on lakes. To date, five cohorts and more than 50 graduate students have been trained through this ‘career- and life-changing’ fellowship program.

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Satellite-based aerosol optical depth estimates over the continental US during the 2020 wildfire season: Roles of smoke and land cover
Daniels, J, L Liang, KB Benedict, J Brahney, R Rangel, Kathleen C. Weathers, and AG Ponette-González. 2024. “Satellite-Based Aerosol Optical Depth Estimates over the Continental US During the 2020 Wildfire Season: Roles of Smoke and Land Cover”. SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 921. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171122.
Using Knowledge-Guided Machine Learning To Assess Patterns of Areal Change in Waterbodies across the Contiguous United States
Wander, HL, MJ Farruggia, S La Fuente, MC Korver, RJ Chapina, J Robinson, A Bah, et al. 2024. “Using Knowledge-Guided Machine Learning To Assess Patterns of Areal Change in Waterbodies across the Contiguous United States”. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY. doi:10.1021/acs.est.3c05784.
Process-based forecasts of lake water temperature and dissolved oxygen outperform null models, with variability over time and depth
Woelmer, WM, RQ Thomas, F Olsson, B. Steele, Kathleen C. Weathers, and Cayelan C. Carey. 2024. “Process-Based Forecasts of Lake Water Temperature and Dissolved Oxygen Outperform Null Models, With Variability over Time and Depth”. ECOLOGICAL INFORMATICS 83. doi:10.1016/j.ecoinf.2024.102825.
Approximation of ice phenology of Maine lakes using Aqua MODIS surface temperature data
Skoglund, SK, AR Bah, H Norouzi, Kathleen C. Weathers, HA Ewing, B. Steele, and LC Bacon. 2024. “Approximation of Ice Phenology of Maine Lakes Using Aqua MODIS Surface Temperature Data”. ECOSPHERE 15 (9). doi:10.1002/ecs2.70000.
Uncertainty in projections of future lake thermal dynamics is differentially driven by lake and global climate models
Wynne, JH, W Woelmer, TN Moore, RQ Thomas, Kathleen C. Weathers, and CC Carey. 2023. “Uncertainty in Projections of Future Lake Thermal Dynamics Is Differentially Driven by Lake and Global Climate Models”. PEERJ 11. doi:10.7717/peerj.15445.
Modeling black carbon removal by city trees: Implications for urban forest planning
Elderbrock, Evan, Alexandra G. Ponette-González, Jenna E. Rindy, Jun-Hak Lee, Kathleen C. Weathers, and Yekang Ko. 2023. “Modeling Black Carbon Removal by City Trees: Implications for Urban Forest Planning”. Urban Forestry &Amp; Urban Greening 86. Elsevier BV: 128013. doi:10.1016/j.ufug.2023.128013.
A synergistic future for AI and ecology
Han, Barbara A., Kush R. Varshney, Shannon L. LaDeau, Ajit Subramaniam, Kathleen C. Weathers, and Jacob Zwart. 2023. “A Synergistic Future for AI and Ecology”. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 120 (38). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. doi:10.1073/pnas.2220283120.
Can interactive data visualizations promote waterfront best management practices?
Ward, NK, MG Sorice, MS Reynolds, Kathleen C. Weathers, WZ Weng, and Cayelan C. Carey. 2022. “Can Interactive Data Visualizations Promote Waterfront Best Management Practices?”. LAKE AND RESERVOIR MANAGEMENT 38 (1): 95-108,. doi:10.1080/10402381.2021.2021335.
Using near-term forecasts and uncertainty partitioning to inform prediction of oligotrophic lake cyanobacterial density
Lofton, Mary E., Jennifer A. Brentrup, Whitney S. Beck, Jacob A. Zwart, Ruchi Bhattacharya, Ludmila S. Brighenti, Sarah H. Burnet, et al. 2022. “Using Near-Term Forecasts and Uncertainty Partitioning to Inform Prediction of Oligotrophic Lake Cyanobacterial Density”. Ecological Applications n/a (n/a). John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. doi:10.1002/eap.2590.
Dynamics of the stream–lake transitional zone affect littoral lake metabolism
Ward, Nicole K., Jennifer A. Brentrup, D.C. Richardson, Kathleen C. Weathers, Paul C. Hanson, Russell J. Hewett, and Cayelan C. Carey. 2022. “Dynamics of the stream–lake Transitional Zone Affect Littoral Lake Metabolism”. Aquatic Sciences 84 (3). Springer Science and Business Media LLC. doi:10.1007/s00027-022-00854-7.
Wet nitrogen (N) deposition to urban Latin America: Filling in the gaps with GEOS-Chem
Ponette-González, Alexandra G., Haley Lewis, Barron H. Henderson, Danilo Carnelos, Gervasio Piñeiro, Kathleen C. Weathers, and Donna B. Schwede. 2022. “Wet Nitrogen (N) Deposition to Urban Latin America: Filling in the Gaps With GEOS-Chem”. Atmospheric Environment 278. Elsevier BV: 119095. doi:10.1016/j.atmosenv.2022.119095.
Nutrient function over form: Organic and inorganic nitrogen additions have similar effects on lake phytoplankton nutrient limitation
Volponi, Sabrina N., Heather L. Wander, David C. Richardson, Clayton J. Williams, Denise A. Bruesewitz, Shelley Arnott Queen’s University Kingston Ontario Canada, Jennifer A. Brentrup, et al. 2022. “Nutrient Function over Form: Organic and Inorganic Nitrogen Additions Have Similar Effects on Lake Phytoplankton Nutrient Limitation”. Limnology and Oceanography. Wiley. doi:10.1002/lno.12270.
Integrating Inland and Coastal Water Quality Data for Actionable Knowledge
Serafy, Ghada Y.H. El, Blake A. Schaeffer, Merrie-Beth Neely, Anna Spinosa, Daniel Odermatt, Kathleen C. Weathers, Theo Baracchini, et al. 2021. “Integrating Inland and Coastal Water Quality Data for Actionable Knowledge”. Remote Sensing 13 (15). MDPI AG: 2899. doi:10.3390/rs13152899.
Fundamentals of Ecosystem Science
2021. Fundamentals of Ecosystem Science. Edited by Kathleen C. Weathers, David L. Strayer, and Gene E. Likens. 2nd ed. Elsevier. doi:10.1016/c2015-0-01951-7.
Training macrosystems scientists requires both interpersonal and technical skills
Farrell, Kaitlin J, Kathleen C. Weathers, Sarah H Sparks, Jennifer A Brentrup, Cayelan C Carey, Michael C Dietze, John R Foster, Kristine L Grayson, Jaclyn H Matthes, and Michael D SanClements. 2021. “Training Macrosystems Scientists Requires Both Interpersonal and Technical Skills”. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 19 (1). Wiley: 39-46. doi:10.1002/fee.2287.
Virtual Growing Pains: Initial Lessons Learned from Organizing Virtual Workshops, Summits, Conferences, and Networking Events during a Global Pandemic
Meyer, Michael F., Robert Ladwig, Hilary A. Dugan, Alyssa Anderson, Abdou R. Bah, Bertram Boehrer, L. Borre, et al. 2021. “Virtual Growing Pains: Initial Lessons Learned from Organizing Virtual Workshops, Summits, Conferences, and Networking Events During a Global Pandemic”. Limnology and Oceanography Bulletin 30 (1). Wiley: 1-11. doi:10.1002/lob.10431.
Regional Wetland Plant Responses to Sulfur and Other Porewater Chemistry in Calcareous Rich Fens
Simkin, Samuel M., Barbara L. Bedford, and Kathleen C. Weathers. 2021. “Regional Wetland Plant Responses to Sulfur and Other Porewater Chemistry in Calcareous Rich Fens”. Wetlands 41 (4). Springer Science and Business Media LLC. doi:10.1007/s13157-021-01438-1.
Throughfall and stemflow are major hydrologic highways for particulate traffic through tree canopies
Van Stan, John T, Alexandra Ponette-González, Travis Swanson, and Kathleen C. Weathers. 2021. “Throughfall and Stemflow Are Major Hydrologic Highways for Particulate Traffic through Tree Canopies”. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment. Wiley. doi:10.1002/fee.2360.
Widespread deoxygenation of temperate lakes
Jane, Stephen F., Gretchen J. A. Hansen, Benjamin M. Kraemer, Peter R. Leavitt, Joshua L. Mincer, Rebecca L. North, Rachel M. Pilla, et al. 2021. “Widespread Deoxygenation of Temperate Lakes”. Nature 594 (7861). Springer Science and Business Media LLC: 66-70. doi:10.1038/s41586-021-03550-y.
Ecology of Lyme disease
Ostfeld, Richard S., Kathleen C. Weathers, David L. Strayer, and Gene E. Likens. 2021. “Ecology of Lyme Disease”. In Fundamentals of Ecosystem Science, 2ndnd ed. London, UK: Academic Press.

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