Soil science is highly diverse. It covers all aspects of the structure and function of the surface few meters of terrestrial ecosystems. Soil science also interfaces with many other scientific disciplines. At Oregon State University, we have chosen to concentrate on five disciplinary areas within soil science:
The following paragraphs give a brief description of each of these areas, provide some examples of current research, and identify faculty who do research in these reas.
Soil Biology
David Myrold studies nitrogen cycling in forest and agricultural ecosystems, the use of stable isotopes in soil science and the functional diversity of soil microbial communities. Peter Bottomley studies soil microbial ecology with particular emphasis on microbes involved in the N cycle and with the biodegradation of soil and groundwater pollutants. Research on plant-soil microbe interactions and the ecology of soilborne diseases is being done by Jennifer Parke whose current research is on Phytophthora as a causal agent of sudden oak death.
Soil Chemistry
John Baham is focused on redox reactions of hydric soils, the chemistry of soil formation, phosphorus availability, and viticultural soils. Markus Kleber is interested in the functioning of the mineral organic interface. He looks at both mineral and organic materials and at the processes connecting these to understand how soil organic matter organic associates with the mineral matrix.
Soil Physics
Research on soil physics emphasizes the physical properties of soil and the transport of energy, water, solutes, and gases. Soil physics is important to proper soil and agronomic management, related to issues of tillage, erosion, irrigation, and drainage; it also plays a central role in environmental problems, such as water quality and climate change.
Maria Dragila conducts research on the movement of soil water through highly heterogeneous porous media focusing on the physics of preferential paths, evaporation and salinity, and pore scale fluid mechanics. Rich Roseberg, located at Klamath Falls, performs research on crop water use, irrigation, water quality, and crop management in semi-arid environments. Don Wysocki, located at Pendleton, studies soil management in dryland wheat systems.
Pedology
Jay Noller studies soil across landscapes and through time to constrain regional and global scale evolutionary pathways of ecosystems. Research on soil landscape relationships includes the study of pedogenic processes, the description and mapping of soils, and the application of soils information.
Soil Fertility
Dan Sullivan does research on environmentally sound utilization of wastes as soil amendments and sources of plant nutrients. He is also developing composting technologies. John Hart is an extension specialist in nutrient management and studies fertilizer requirements of a diverse array of crops, such as cranberries, mint, and sweet corn.
