RESEARCH INTERESTS
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Land management influences on hydrology and ecosystem health
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Forest management approaches for water and natural resource management
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Impacts of disturbance on surface water and shallow groundwater hydrology
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Headwater stream hydrology and morphology
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Groundwater-surface water interactions
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Vernal pond water budgets and hydroperiods
As a Master's student, I conducted research in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, located in northern Minnesota. This meant canoeing around the wilderness checking equipment for three summers. Here I am with a friend's canoe in western Wisconsin.
I conducted my Ph.D. research in southeastern Kentucky, and focused on the impacts of forest harvesting on surface water quality and hydrology. Here I am moving an automated water sampler from one spot to another in the forest.
EDUCATION
Ph.D. Soil Science University of Kentucky 2012
M.S. Soil Science University of Minnesota 2007
B.S. Natural Resource Conservation and Management University of Kentucky 2004
Recent Publications
I started working at Stockton University in Fall 2014. My students are the best part of my job. I am consistenly impressed by their passion, curiosity, work ethic, and creativity. Here I am after hiking to the top of Multnomah Falls, in Oregon. I would love to take students to see all of the amazing waters across the country.
Kolka, R.K., C.E. Riggs, E.A. Nater, T.R. Wickman, E.L. Witt and J.T. Butcher. 2019. Temporal fluctuations in young-of-the-year yellow perch mercury bioaccumulation in lakes of northeastern Minnesota. Science of the Total Environment 656: 475-481.
Riggs, C.E., R.K. Kolka, E.A. Nater, E.L. Witt, T.R. Wickman, L.G. Woodruff, and J.T. Butcher. 2017. Yellow perch (Perca flavescens) mercury not impacted by wildland fires in northern Minnesota. Journal of Environmental Quality 46: 623-631.
Witt, E.L., C.D. Barton, J.W. Stringer, R.K. Kolka, and M.A. Cherry. 2016. Influence of variable streamside management zone configurations on water quality following forest harvest in eastern Kentucky. Journal of Forestry 114(1): 41-51.
Witt, E. L., C. D. Barton, J. W. Stringer, R. K. Kolka, and D. W. Bowker. 2013. Evaluating best management practices for ephemeral channel protection following forest harvest in the Cumberland Plateau. Southern Journal of Applied Forestry 37(1) 36-44.
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Moscovici, D. and E. Witt. 2018. Active Learning Strategies: Stories and Lessons Learnt - Studying Environment in the Field. In: Active Learning in Higher Education: Teaching for Leadership, Innovation, and Creativity, Misseyanni, A., P. Papadopoulou, C. Marouli, and M. Lytras eds. Emerald Group Publishing, Bingley, United Kingdom.
Barton, C., E. Witt and J. Stringer. 2017. Protecting Water Resources with Streamside Management Zones at Robinson Forest. Pp, 81-87. In: B. D. Lee, D. I. Carey and A. L. Jones (eds.). Water in Kentucky. University Press of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
Other Interests
Find me on Pokemon Go! 9125 5815 3792
Favorite sports to watch: NBA and college basketball, soccer
Favorite sports teams: University of Kentucky Wildcats, Chelsea Football Club, Minnesota Twins, Denver Nuggets.
My dog Lois also liked water. RIP Lois
View of the Tetons from Grand Targhee.
Favorite winter activity: skiing
Favorite summer activities: traveling, kayaking, cycling
Favorite color: UK BLUE (also Chelsea FC blue)