Research- Soil

Soils are the most complex and ecologically significantbiogeochemical systems on Earth. Soil processes and the soil resourceare critical to all terrestrial ecosystems from prairies to the Alaskantundra, to wetlands, to our cities, to forests to biofuel farms. SoilScience is at the center of the study of what the National ScienceFoundation terms the Critical Zone - the confluence of atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere near the surface ofthe Earth.

Soil Science – (Coale, Felton, Hill, James, MCGrath, Miller, Weil, Needelman, Rabenhorst)
Biology and Ecology of Soils
Soil Chemistry and Biochemistry
Soil Fertility and Nutrient Management
Soil Microbiology
Soil Mineralogy
Soil Physics
Soil Quality
Soil Reclamation
Subaqueous Soils
Pedology
Wetland Soils

Faculty
Coale, Felton, Hill, James, MCGrath, Miller, Weil, Needelman, Rabenhorst, Tamboli)

Projects

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Areas: International Crop Production, Land Management and Conservation, Sustainable Agriculture

Sustainablecropping systems science applies ecology to thefarm. Sustainablecropping systems will be needed in the future to meetrapidly growingdemands for food, fiber and biofuels while at the same timeenhancingother ecosystem services potentially provided by the world'sfarmlands.These services include the supply and purification of water,thereduction of greenhouse gases, and the provision of wildlife habitatandbiodiversity. In both developing and developed countries, Universityscientistsand farmers must work together todevelop sustainable croppingsystems that meet these goals by optimizing thenatural cycles andprocesses in the plant-soil-animal system while minimizingtoxic orenergy and resource intensive inputs from outside the system.

For more information, contact Kintija Eigmina, Web and Communications Coordinator

Last updated: 03/9/2009