Faculty/Staff Directory

First Name
Will

Last Name
Bowers

Biology faculty member

Email
bowersw@gvsu.edu

Title
  • Affiliate Professor

Website

Office Address
3390i KHS

Office Phone
616-331-9316

Areas of Expertise
Ecological hydrology, Isotope ecology, Soil physics, Plant physiology

Courses Taught at GVSU

BIO 104 - Biology for the 21st Century
BIO 105 - Environmental Science
BIO 107 - Great Lakes and Water Resources
BIO 120 - General Biology I 
BIO 121 - General Biology II
BIO 215 - Ecology
NRM 454 - Watershed and Wetland Management

Research Interests

I am interested in understanding where trees acquire water from and the impact that can have on watershed resources and the resiliency of a forest during climate change. Much of my research surrounds sampling trees and soil for water and comparing the waters while considering the ecological factors of soil characteristics and plant physiology. More specifically, I focus on evaluating the assumptions used in sampling methodology and using sampling approaches that incorporate spatiotemporal variability. I enjoy my research because I get to be outside a lot and the work involves a mix of multiple disciplines, such as biology, chemistry, physics, data management, and spatial analyses. 

Education

Ph.D. Candidate, Hydrology, University of Wyoming
B.A., Biochemistry and minor in Studio Art, Colorado College

Select Publications

Bowers, W. H., & Williams, D. G. (2022). Isotopic heterogeneity of stem water in conifers is correlated to xylem hydraulic traits and supports multiple residence times. Frontiers in Water, 4, 861590. https://doi.org/10.3389/frwa.2022.861590

Bowers, W. H., Mercer, J. J., Pleasants, M. S., & Williams, D. G. (2020). A combination of soil water extraction methods quantifies the isotopic mixing of waters held at separate tensions in soil. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences, 24(8), 4045-4060. https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-24-4045-2020

Back


Page last modified May 1, 2020