Chemistry, Biology, and Morphology of Prairie Soils and Wetlands

Principal Investigator: Paul Bloom

Project Description: 

In recent years wetlands have been recognized for their importance for recreation, remediation of polluted waters, recharge of groundwater systems, abatement of flooding, and their participation in various biogeochemical cycles. Guidance is needed for prediction of soil conditions that lead to success in restoration and criteria are needed to judge the success of the restoration. The results will help with the interpretation of seasonally high water table depths from soil morphology. This information is being used by professionals involved with site evaluation for wetland (hydric soil) delineation and individual sewage treatment systems in Minnesota. The results are also used at the national level to improve our understanding of hydric soils for regulatory purposes and aquic soils for soil classification. Our results with wild rice suggest growers apply one or two topdresses of urea to maximize economic yields. The simulation of long-term N dynamics in corn produced a better quantitative understanding of the fertilizer N use efficiencies and N losses.

Project Years: 2005-2010

Funding Source: State Agricultural Experiment Station