Pedology

Plants, Soils & Climate

Boettinger Lab Group

About

Pedology is a branch of soil science focusing on the formation, morphology, and classification of soils as bodies within the natural landscape. Pedology seeks to understand how the properties and distribution patterns of soils worldwide have developed along with broader landforms, biogeochemical environments, and habitats of living organisms. Through their understanding of the causes and magnitudes of soil variations, pedologists help to broaden knowledge of the surface of the Earth and promote conservation of the soil resource.

Areas of Focus

  • Determining the parent material, soil, and landscape characteristics associated with shrubby reed-mustard habitat (endangered plant species endemic to the Uinta Basin in Utah).
  • Using Digital Soil Mapping techniques to elucidate the spatial scale at which soil varies across different landscapes.
  • Using statistical models to predict soil distribution, and determining what they tell us about pedogenesis.
  • Predicting soil distribution to support an ecological site in Fort Bliss, New Mexico.
  • Predicting soil components and value-added soil information in Canyonlands National Park, Utah.
  • Assessing soil variability, wind erosion potential, and relict wetlands in Snake Valley, Utah.
  • Ecosite evaluation using vegetative field data and Predictive Soil Mapping.
  • Development of new methods of analysis for inorganic carbon.

Research

Janis Boettinger directs research activities that address the origin, spatial distribution, and function of soils in ecosystems. 

Our research can be grouped into two broad topics:

  1. Digital soil mapping, modeling, and assessment
  2. Soil-plant-landscape relationships

Currently funded research projects in these areas include:

  • Shrubby Reed-Mustard Habitat: Parent Material, Soil and Landscape Characteristics (US Fish and Wildlife Service; Dr. Laureen Kelly, Post-doctoral researcher)
  • Digital Soil Mapping and Value-Added Soil Information for Utah's Public Lands  (USDI Bureau of Land Management)
    • Colby Brungard, doctoral candidate, is conducting several related research projects in the Great Basin and Colorado Plateau, funded currently by the Bureau of Land Management and formerly by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

Other research projects include:

  • Refining a Pressure-Calcimeter Method for Inorganic Carbon Analysis (Brook Fonnesbeck, undergraduate researcher)
  • Digital Soil Mapping Techniques for Soil Survey Updates in the Western USA (Suzann Kienast-Brown, Doctoral student; Soil Scientist, GIS and Remote Sensing Specialist for USDA NRCS)
  • Refining the Soil Survey of Fort Bliss to Support Ecological Sites on Otero Mesa, NM (Jeremiah Armentrout, undergraduate researcher)
  • Proximal Sensing of Soil Carbon with VNIR Spectroscopy (LabSpec 2500 VNIR on loan from the National Soil Survey Laboratory; Colby Brungard, doctoral candidate)
  • GlobalSoilMap.net: A global project to create and deliver a global map of soil properties at 90-spatial resolution (Janis Boettinger, Professor)

Soils Team

Janis Boettinger

Professor

Janis' academic goals: Achieving excellence in understanding the origin, spatial distribution, and function of soils in ecosystems. Building a vibrant and well-funded program in pedology that synergizes Cooperative Soil Survey and outreach activities, fundamental research, teaching, and student mentoring.

Suzann Kienast-Brown

Doctoral Student; Soil Scientist, GIS, and Remote Sensing Specialist for USDA, NRCS

Suzann applies digital soil mapping in the USA Soil Survey Program and instructs a course on the application of remote sensing techniques in soil survey to USDA soil scientists. She is currently pursuing a doctorate with Dr. Boettinger, focusing on digital soil mapping techniques for soil survey updates in the western USA.

Suzann’s research focuses on applying digital soil mapping techniques in the NRCS Soil Survey Program to advance soil survey methods and products.

 

Spatial Prediction of Surface Soil Temperature Classes from Soil Climate Analysis Network (SCAN) Data

Utah NRCS installed 35 SCAN sites throughout the state in 2007 and 2010. SCAN sites record soil moisture and temperature data at several depths in the soil profile. In addition, the SCAN sites also record selected climatic data. The goal is to eventually use SCAN data to predict soil climate across the state of Utah at different temporal scales (annual, monthly, daily). We are focusing the initial phase of this project on predicting annual surface soil moisture classes in a subset area of MLRA 28A, extending from the Utah-Nevada border to the Wasatch front.

Annual surface soil moisture data will be calculated from SCAN, SNOTEL, and active weather stations in the subset area and used as training data for the classification. Predictor variables will be a combination of remote sensing and DEM derivative data, surface soil property data from SSURGO products, vegetation data from SWGap data, and other possible data sources. The Random Forests classifier will be used to predict annual surface soil moisture classes across the subset area. This project is in the preliminary stage with no results to report, but will be complete by the end of 2011.

Applying the Optimum Index Factor to Multiple Data Types for Soil Survey

Digital soil mapping in production soil survey requires simple, straight-forward methods that can be easily implemented into daily activities of soil mapping. The Optimum Index Factor (OIF) was developed by Chavez et al. (1982; 1984) as a method for determining the three-band combination that maximizes the variability in a particular multispectral scene. The OIF is based on the amount of total variance and correlation within and between all possible band combinations in the dataset. Although the OIF method was developed for Landsat TM data, the concept and methodology are applicable to any multilayer dataset. We used the OIF method in a subset area of the initial soil survey of the Duchesne Area, Utah, USA, to help determine which combination of data layers would be most useful for modeling soil distribution. Unique multiband images created from layers of multiple data types (elevation and remote sensing derivatives) were evaluated using the OIF method to determine which data layers would maximize the biophysical variability in the study area. A multiband image was created from the optimum combinations of data layers and used for classification and modeling in ERDAS Imagine. The output from the classification and modeling are being evaluated as pre-maps for soil mapping activities in the study area.

Kienast-Brown, S. and J.L. Boettinger. 2010. Applying the optimum index factor to multiple data types for soil survey. p. 385-398. In: J.L. Boettinger, D.W. Howell, A.C. Moore, A.E. Hartemink, and S. Kienast-Brown (eds.) Digital soil mapping: Bridging research, environmental application, and operation. Springer Science+Business Media, Dordrecht.

Land Cover Classification from Landsat Imagery for Mapping Dynamic Wet and Saline Soils

Wet and saline soils have been recognized as an important and complex component of wetland ecosystems in arid environments. Analysis and classification of remotely sensed spectral data is an effective method for discerning the spatial and temporal variability of soils. The East Shore Area (ESA) of the Great Salt Lake soil survey update is focused on updating soil map units containing wet and saline soils. The ESA provides a unique environment for the use of remotely sensed spectral data for map unit refinement because of low relief and a large extent of soils that are wet and saline to various degrees. Map units in the ESA containing wet and saline soils were updated and refined using Landsat 7 imagery. Five land-cover classes are related to dominant soil types that vary in soil wetness, salinity, calcium carbonate concentration and vegetation cover type. Supervised classification of the imagery was performed using the five land cover classes. The final classification resulted in 14 land cover classes, including nine additional classes that help describe the variability in the original five classes. The classification results were validated using visual inspection in the field, a priori knowledge of the area and an error matrix. The results of the classification were used to enhance original soil map units and calculate map unit composition in the final soil mapping process. This information was then incorporated into the updated soil map. Temporal variation in land cover classes has the potential to be considered in map-unit refinement to reflect the dynamic nature of the margins of the Great Salt Lake, Utah.

Kienast-Brown, S., and J.L. Boettinger. 2007. Land cover classification from Landsat imagery for mapping dynamic wet and saline soils. p. 235-244. In: P. Lagacherie, A.B. McBratney, and M. Voltz (eds.) Digital SoilMapping: An introductory perspective. Developments in Soil Science Vol. 31, Elsevier, Amsterdam.

Soil Survey Using Traditional and Landscape Analysis Methods – Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah

The overall goal of this research was to develop methodology to advance the soil survey of the Circle Cliffs area of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. A soil survey of the Circle Cliffs area was completed using traditional soil survey methods, and then enhanced using GIS-based methods. A lithosequence of soils was also examined to enhance the understanding of arid soil genesis and the soil-landscape relationships in the Circle Cliffs area. GIS was shown to be beneficial for soil survey data analysis, and was useful for quantifying and validating map unit concepts. The lithosequence study showed that soils formed in lithified parent material exhibited varying degrees of soil development, and the soil formed in non-lithified parent material appeared to be polygenetic. GIS was very useful for accelerating the soil survey, and may be applicable in other remote areas for examining soil-landscape relationships.

Kienast, S. 2002. Soil survey using traditional and landscape analysis methods – Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah. M.S. thesis. Utah State University, Logan.

Links:
NRCS Soils http://soils.usda.gov/
Web Soil Survey http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/HomePage.htm
UT NRCS Soil Survey http://www.ut.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/soils/index.html
UT NRCS SCAN Sites http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/scan/Utah/utah.html
IUSS Working Group on Digital Soil Mapping http://www.digitalsoilmapping.org/

Laureen Kelly

Postdoctoral Researcher

Laureen is researching parent material, soils, and landscape characteristics associated with shrubby-reed mustard, an endangered plant species endemic to the Uinta Basin in Utah. A decision making tool for use in identifying shrubby-reed mustard potential habitat will be developed.

Shrubby Reed-Mustard Habitat: Parent Material, Soil and Landscape Characteristics

Shrubby reed-mustard, or Glaucocarpum suffrutescens, is an endangered perennial shrub endemic to the Uinta Basin in northeast Utah. Only seven populations of shrubby reed-mustard have been identified. The area where the plant grows is rich in natural gas and oil deposits, as well as oil shale. Oil wells already dot the landscape, and there is significant concern that further development of these resources will threaten the continued existence of shrubby reed-mustard. Determination of the parent material, soil and landscape characteristics associated with shrubby reed-mustard habitat is imperative to facilitate conservation management.

Our shrubby reed-mustard project seeks to identify the characteristic environment of this brightly colored plant. Extensive field observation, soil sampling with laboratory characterization, and descriptive and statistical analysis of data are all required to fully characterize the habitation of shrubby reed-mustard. Based on those determinations, we will develop a decision-making tool for identifying potential habitat for this endangered species. Validation of the decision making tool will be performed. It may be possible to use derivatives of remotely sensed spectral data (e.g., Landsat 7 ETM+, ASTER) and topographic data (e.g., digital elevation models) to predict potential habitat at a larger spatial scale.

Initial field characterization and soil profile sampling was conducted in October 2010. Soil profiles were sampled from three different locations within the Uinta Basin. Probably the most important field observation made regarding the soil where shrubby reed-mustard grew was the parent material. Shrubby reed-mustard grew exclusively in soils derived from shale. On the sites sampled where shrubby reed-mustard did not grow, but where other species existed, the soil parent material was sandstone. Laboratory characterization of soils collected is on-going. Data trends and statistical findings have yet to be determined from preliminary lab results.

Characteristic shrubby reed-mustard habitat.

Further field characterization and sampling will resume in Spring 2011. Selection of spring sampling locations will be influenced by the results of the Fall 2010 characterization. Elucidation of parameters for plant re-establishment is imperative to the survival of shrubby reed-mustard, given the current and future development of the area where this plant is endemic.

Colby Brungard

Doctoral Candidate

Colby's research focuses on using Digital Soil Mapping techniques to elucidate the spatial scale at which soil varies across different landscapes. Colby's research also focuses on the different types of statistical models useful for predicting soil distribution and what these models tell us about pedogenesis.

Predicting Soil Components and Value-Added Soil Information in Canyonlands National Park, Utah

Intro 

What – We modeled Biological soil crust (BSC) class (classes 0-6), map unit component, ecological site, soil series, soil depth and surface texture class for Canyonlands National Park.
Why – BSC in arid ecosystems influence infiltration and erosion rates and are important for soil resource management. Hopefully these maps will be useful for Park Service Planning and be an additional value added product derived from NRCS mapping efforts.

Methods

We used Random Forests with 1000 trees and the default number of random variables.

Pedon information used as training data was obtained from the NRCS and cleaned (checked for correct spelling, etc.).
Biological soil crust classes were rounded to the nearest integer.
Distance between pedons was calculated and Pedons <90 m apart were manually selected and removed from the training dataset.

Several concerns about this dataset exist: many pedons are photo interpreted and many do not have complete data entered.
NASIS data was obtained from the National Park Service but it came in a format for AnalysisPedon which was prohibitively difficult to use.

Results

OOB errors for each predicted attribute are listed in the PDF Out-of-bag_Errors. While overall OOB error is informative it is often more useful to look at the individual class OOB errors. OOB error is highly dependent upon class size.

Conclusions.
Maps of BSC class and associated probability are in Biol_soil_Crust_maps.pdf. Other predicted soil attributes are in OtherMaps.pdf. Variable importances for each prediction are in Variable Importance.pdf.

* Please contact Colby Brungard (c.w.b@aggiemail.usu.edu) if you are interested in viewing the pdf files.

Assessing Soil Variability, Wind Erosion Potential, and Relict Wetlands in Snake Valley, Utah

Snake Valley, Utah

Spatial Prediction of Soil Carbon Using WorldView-2 Imagery and Elevation Data for a Desert Wetland Ecosystem, Utah

Brook Fonnesbeck

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Brook is developing a new method for inorganic  carbon analysis using a Modified Pressure Calcimeter using soil from several areas in the Western US, including the Upper Las Vegas Wash, NAPT samples, and soils from Snake Valley, UT. Brook also assists students with laboratory analysis of soils for their projects.

Jeremiah Armentrout

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Jeremiah is conducting an ecosite evaluation using vegetative field data and Predictive Soil Mapping for one of the Fort Bliss ranges. The goal of the project is to predict soil distribution to support ecological sites. The research site is located in Otero Mesa, New Mexico.

Fort Bliss Soil Survey 2010

The purpose of this project is to establish an ecosite evaluation of the study area for future monitoring as to the effects of military training in the area. The project was initiated by the Department of Defense and is headed by the USDA from the Joranada Experimental Range office at New Mexico State University in conjunction with Utah State University. The project area has been historically used for grazing with little or no development and no impact on the landscape other than livestock and wildlife. The area has been maintained and the livestock has been managed by the BLM for the last few decades. The military is now expanding training operations into the area to include field exercises by troops on the ground. They will conduct operations by foot and vehicle in open ground areas. Training will also include the construction of temporary encampments that will result in high traffic areas. The future monitoring of the site will include possible changes to vegetation and soil conditions.

The location of this site is Otero Mesa, New Mexico. The mesa is situated at the northern extreme of Fort Bliss and 22 miles east northeast of Orogrande, New Mexico. The mesa is at an elevation of ≈5100 ft. which is approximately 900 ft. above the surrounding basin floor. The area is accessible by route 506 from state highway 54. The generalized landform of the project area is alluvial fans/remnant fans in the upland which give way to lowlands of basin floor with limited drainage. The soil temperature regime is mesic and has a soil moisture regime of aridic boarding on ustic. The parent material for this area is limestone derived alluvium.

One hundred sample locations were chosen with conditioned Latin hypercube based off of environmental covariates which included but not limited to topographic, geologic and remotely sensed spectral data. At each sample location the genetic horizons were sampled and described to a depth of one meter unless lithic contact or a limiting layer was encountered. The pedons were classified to the family level using field sampling techniques. The ecosite was evaluated from soil type and vegetative cover that was recorded on site to state and phase.

At the completion of this phase of the project we will be able to predict soil distribution using random forest classification and produce a preliminary predictive map that encompasses soil and ecosite type. The preliminary prediction is subject to change with results from ongoing laboratory analysis. Currently the mineralogy class of majority of soils sampled are of a mixed mineralogy class but analysis could easily place soils into a carbonatic classification.


Soils Contests

Contest Participation:

  • 1993-1996, 2000-2009 Northwest Regional Contests
  • 1994, 2005-2011 National Contests
  • 1995 NACTA Contest
  • 2010 Utah Contest

Contests Hosted:

  • 1993, 1996, 2001, and 2004 Northwest Regional Contests
  • 2007 National Collegiate Soil Judging Contest


How to Participate

Students that would like to join Utah State University's (USU) Soils Team and participate in nationwide contests can enroll in Special Problems: PSC 4900-004 at USU (not mandatory).

Dr. Janis L. Boettinger teaches this course and is faculty advisor. John Lawley is Coach for USU's team.


Curriculum Vita

Janis L. Boettinger

Professor of Pedology

Area of Study: Environmental Soil & Water, Soil Science

Emphasis: Soil Pedology/Genesis/Morphology
Employee Type: Faculty
Location:  354 AGS (Office); 105 AGS (Lab)
Office Phone:  435-797-4026
Fax:  435-797-3376
4820 Old Main Hill (AGS 354)
Logan, Utah 84322-4820
USA
Academic Goals:
Achieve excellence in understanding the origin, spatial distribution, and function of soils in ecosystems, and build a vibrant and well-funded program in Pedology that synergizes Cooperative Soil Survey and outreach activities, fundamental research, teaching, and student mentoring.
 
Education:
1992 Ph.D., Soil Science, University of California, Davis.
1988 M.S. ,Soil Science, University of California, Davis.
1984 B.S., Environmental Technology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.

Professional Experience:
  • 2007-present Professor, Department of Plants, Soils and Climate, Utah State University, Logan, UT (Role: 65% Research [40% fundamental research; 25% Cooperative Soil Survey and outreach], 25% Teaching; 10% Service).
  • 2007-2008 Visiting Scientist, Integrative Ecology Group, Estación Biológica de Doñana, Seville, Spain
  • 2004-2007 Assistant Head, Department of Plants, Soils, and Biometeorology, Utah State University, Logan, UT.
  • 2004-2005 Faculty Senate President, Utah State University, Logan, UT
  • 2000-2005 Associate Editor, Soil Science Society of America Journal
  • 1999-2000 Visiting Scientist, Estación Biológica de Doñana, Seville, Spain.
  • 1998-2007 Associate Professor, Department of Plants, Soils, and Biometeorology, Utah State University, Logan, UT.
  • 1992-1998 Assistant Professor, Department of Plants, Soils, and Biometeorology, Utah State University, Logan ,UT.
  • 1994-present Adjunct Assistant/Associate/Full Professor, Department of Geology, Utah State University, Logan, UT.
  • 1994-present Ecology Center Associate, Utah State University, Logan, UT.
  • 1997-1999 Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT.
  • 1991 Environmental Soil Consultant, self-employed (part time).
  • 1985-1991 Graduate Research Assistant, University of California, Davis.
  • 1987-1991 Associate-In-Teaching and Teaching Assistant, University of California, Davis (Field Studies of Soil Resources, Soil Mineralogy, Concepts in Forestry, Forest Soils Short Course, Geomicrobiology, Soil Fertility).
  • 1988, 1989 Visiting Scientist, Division of Soils, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), Davies Laboratory, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.
  • 1984 Soil Scientist, USDA Soil Conservation Service, St. Lawrence County Resource Conservation District, Canton, NY.
  • 1981-1984 Teaching Assistant, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY (Principles of Conservation, Environmental Conservation, Diet for a Small Planet, Political Economy of the World Food Situation).

Awards (since at USU):

  • 2006    Best Poster Award, S-7 (Forest, Range, and Wildland Soils) Division, Soil Science Society of America (with Helga Van Miegroet and Michelle A. Baker)
  • 2004    Undergraduate Research Mentor, College of Agriculture, Utah State University.
  • 1999    Editors' Citation for Excellence in Manuscript Review, Soil Science Society of America Journal.
  • 1999    Teacher of the Year, College of Agriculture, Utah State University
  • 1998    Teacher of the Year, Department of Plants, Soils, and Biometeorology, Utah State University
  • 1993    Editors' Citation for Excellence in Manuscript Review, Soil Science Society of America Journal.

Publications (Peer-Reviewed; *indicates student author):

  • Boettinger, J.L. 2010. Environmental covariates for digital soil mapping in the western USA. p. 17-27. In: J.L. Boettinger, D.W. Howell, A.C. Moore, A.E. Hartemink, and S. Kienast-Brown (eds.) Digital soil mapping: Bridging research, environmental application, and operation. Springer Science+Business Media, Dordrecht.
  • Brungard*, C.W. and J.L. Boettinger. 2010. Application of conditioned Latin hypercube sampling in arid Rangelands in Utah, USA. p. 67-75. In: J.L. Boettinger, D.W. Howell, A.C. Moore, A.E. Hartemink, and S. Kienast-Brown (eds.) Digital soil mapping: Bridging research, environmental application, and operation. Springer Science+Business Media, Dordrecht.
  • Kienast-Brown, S. and J.L. Boettinger. 2010. Applying the optimum index factor to multiple data types for soil survey. p. 385-398. In: J.L. Boettinger, D.W. Howell, A.C. Moore, A.E. Hartemink, and S. Kienast-Brown (eds.) Digital soil mapping: Bridging research, environmental application, and operation. Springer Science+Business Media, Dordrecht.
  • Stum*, A.K., J.L. Boettinger, M.A. White, and R.D. Ramsey. 2010. Random Forests applied as a soil spatial predictive model in arid Utah. p. 179-189. In: J.L. Boettinger, D.W. Howell, A.C. Moore, A.E. Hartemink, and S. Kienast-Brown (eds.) Digital soil mapping: Bridging research, environmental application, and operation. Springer Science+Business Media, Dordrecht.
  • Boettinger, J.L., R.D. Ramsey, A.K. Stum*, S. Kienast-Brown*, S.J. Nield*, A.M. Saunders*, N.J., Cole*, J.M. Bodily*. 2008 (In Press). Landsat spectral data for digital soil mapping. In: A. Hartemink, M.L. Mendonça-Santos, and A.B. McBratney (eds.) Digital Soil Mapping with Limited Data. Springer.
  • Nield*, S.J., J.L. Boettinger, and R.D. Ramsey. 2007. Digitally Mapping Gypsic and Natric Soil Areas Using Landsat ETM Data.Soil Science Society of America Journal 71:245-252.
  • Cole*, N.J., and J.L. Boettinger. 2007. A pedogenic understanding raster classification methodology for mapping soils, Powder River Basin, Wyoming, USA.p. 377-388. In: P. Lagacherie, A.B. McBratney, and M. Voltz (eds.) Digital SoilMapping: An introductory perspective.  Developments in Soil Science Vol. 31, Elsevier, Amsterdam.   
  • Kienast-Brown*, S., and J.L. Boettinger. 2007. Land cover classification from Landsat imagery for mapping dynamic wet and saline soils. p. 235-244. In: P. Lagacherie, A.B. McBratney, and M. Voltz (eds.) Digital SoilMapping: An introductory perspective.  Developments in Soil Science Vol. 31, Elsevier, Amsterdam. 
  • Saunders*, A.M., and J.L. Boettinger. 2007. Incorporating classification trees into a pedogenic understanding raster classification methodology, Green River Basin, Wyoming, USA. p. 389-399.In: P. Lagacherie, A.B. McBratney, and M. Voltz (eds.) Digital SoilMapping: An introductory perspective.  Developments in Soil Science Vol. 31, Elsevier, Amsterdam.
  • Van Miegroet, H., J.L. Boettinger, M.A. Baker, J. Nielsen*, D. Evans*, and A. Stum*. 2005. Soil carbon distribution and quality in a montane rangeland-forest mosaic in northern Utah. Forest Ecology and Management 220:284-299.
  • Gomez-Aparicio*, L., J.M. Gomez, R. Zamora, and J.L. Boettinger. 2005. Canopy vs. soil effects of shrubs facilitating tree seedlings in Mediterranean montane ecosystems. Journal of Vegetation Science 16:191-198.
  • Boettinger, J.L. 2005. Alluvium and alluvial soils. p. 45-49. In: D. Hillel (ed.) Encyclopedia of Soils in the Environment. Elsevier Science Publishers, Oxford.
  • Bartsch*, K.P., H. Van Miegroet, J.L Boettinger, and J.P. Dobrowolski. 2002. Using empirical models and GIS to determine water erosion risk at Camp Williams, Utah. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 57:29-37.
  • Boettinger, J.L. 2002. Calcification. p. 131-134. In: R. Lal (ed.) Encyclopedia of Soil Science. Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York.
  • Boettinger, J.L., and D.W. Ming. 2002. Zeolites. p. 585-610. In: J.B. Dixon and D.G. Schulze (ed.) Soil Mineralogy with Environmental Applications. Soil Science Society of America Book Series, no. 7, Madison, WI. (Invited)
  • Kienast*, S., and J.L Boettinger. 2002. Improving efficiency and quality of soil survey documentation using a rapid GIS method. Soil Survey Horizons 34:39-43.
  • Ming, D.W., and J.L Boettinger. 2001. Zeolites in soil environments. p. 323-345. In: D.L. Bish and D.W. Ming (ed.) Natural Zeolites: Occurrence, Properties, Applications. Reviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry, vol. 45. Mineralogical Society of America and Geochemical Society, Washington, DC.
  • Boettinger, J.L., and J.L. Richardson. 2001. Saline and wet soils of wetlands in dry climates. p. 383-390. In: J.L. Richardson, and M.J. Vepraskas (ed.) Wetland soils: Their genesis, hydrology, landscapes, and classification. Lewis Publishers, Boca Raton, FL.
  • Ibáñez*, I., E.W. Schupp, and J.L. Boettinger. 1999. Successional history of a curlleaf mountain mahogany stand: A hypothesis. p. 102-107. In E.D. McArthur, W.K. Ostler, and C.L. Wambolt (eds.) Shrubland Ecotones. USDA Forest Service Proceedings RMRS-P-11.
  • Bork*, E.W., N.E. West, J.A. Doolittle, and J.L. Boettinger. 1998. Soil depth assessment of sagebrush grazing treatments using electromagnetic induction. Journal of Range Management 51:469-474.
  • Perrin*, T.S., J.L. Boettinger, D.T. Drost, and J.M. Norton. 1998. Decreasing nitrogen leaching from sandy soil with ammonium-loaded clinoptilolite. Journal of Environmental Quality 27:656-663.
  • Perrin*, T.S., D.T. Drost, J.L. Boettinger, and J.M. Norton. 1998. Ammonium-loaded clinoptilolite: A slow-release fertilizer for sweet corn. Journal of Plant Nutrition 21:515-530.
  • Laymon, C., D. Quattrochi, E. Malek, L. Hipps, J. Boettinger, G. McCurdy. 1998. Remotely-sensed regional scale evapotranspiration of a semi-arid Great Basin desert and its relationship to geomorphology, soils, and vegetation. Geomorphology 21:329-352.
  • Boettinger, J.L. 1997. Aquisalids (Salorthids) and other wet saline and alkaline soils: Problems identifying aquic conditions and hydric soils. p. 79-97. In M.J. Vepraskas and S.W. Sprecher (eds.) Aquic conditions and hydric soils: The problem soils. SSSA Special Publication No. 50. Soil Science Society of America, Madison, WI.
  • Boettinger, J.L., J.A. Doolittle, N.E. West, E.W. Bork*, and E.W. Schupp. 1997. Non-destructive assessment of rangeland soil depth to petrocalcic horizon using electromagnetic induction. Arid Soil Research and Rehabilitation 11:375-390.
  • Dahlgren, R.A., J.L. Boettinger, G.L. Huntington, and R.G. Amundson. 1997. Soil development along an elevational transect, western Sierra Nevada, California. Geoderma 78:207-236.
  • Boettinger, J.L., and R.C. Graham. 1995. Zeolite occurrence in soils: An updated review. p. 23-37. In D.W. Ming and F.A. Mumpton (ed.) Natural Zeolites ’93: Occurrences, properties, use. International Committee on Natural Zeolites, Brockport, NY.
  • Boettinger, J.L., and R.J. Southard. 1995. Phyllosilicate distribution and origin in Aridisols on a granitic pediment, western Mojave Desert. Soil Science Society of America Journal 59:1189-1198.
  • Boettinger, J.L., L.M. Dudley, J.M. Norton, and P.T. Kolesar. 1995. Zeolite efficiency in reducing nitrate contamination. Clean Water-Clean Environment. American Society of Agricultural Engineers 2:19-22.
  • Boettinger, J.L. 1994. Biogenic opal as an indicator of soil mixing at the Alfisol - Vertisol boundary, northeastern Australia. p. 17-26. In A.J. Ringrose-Voase and G.S. Humphreys (ed.) Soil Micromorphology: Studies in Management and Genesis. Developments in Soil Science 22. Elsevier, Amsterdam.
  • Boettinger, J.L., and R.J. Southard. 1991. Sources of silica and carbonate for Aridisols on a granitic pediment, western Mojave Desert. Soil Science Society of America Journal 55:1057-1067.
  • Boettinger, J.L., and R.J. Southard. 1990. Micromorphology and mineralogy of a calcareous duripan formed in granitic residuum, Mojave Desert, California, USA. p. 409-415. In L.A. Douglas (ed.) Soil micromorphology: A basic and applied science. Developments in Soil Science 19. Elsevier, Amsterdam.
  • Southard, R.J., J.L. Boettinger, and O.A. Chadwick. 1990. Identification, genesis, and classification of duripans. p. 45-60. In J.M. Kimble and W.D. Nettleton (eds.) Proceedings of the Fourth International Soil Correlation Meeting (ISCOM IV). Characterization, classification, and utilization of Aridisols. Part A: Papers. USDA, Soil Conservation Service, Lincoln, NE.

Invited Presentations (last 5 years only; *indicates student author):

  • Boettinger, J.L. 2009. "Remote Sensing Applications in Soil Survey." National Cooperative Soil Survey Conference, 14-10 May, 2009, Las Cruces, New Mexico.
  • Boettinger, J.L. 2008. “Environmental Covariates for Digital Soil Mapping in the Western USA.” 3rd Global Workshop on Digital Soil Mapping, 30 September - 3 October 2008, Utah State University, Logan, Utah. Keynote Presentation for Session 2: Exploring New Sampling Schemes and Environmental Covariates in Digital Soil Mapping, 1 October 2008.
  • Boettinger, J.L. 2008. “Field Trip: Basin to Range.” 3rd Global Workshop on Digital Soil Mapping, 30 September - 3 October 2008, Utah State University, Logan, Utah. Full-day field trip, 30 September 2008. Assisted by S. Kienast-Brown, J.R. Lawley, C.W. Brungard.
  • Boettinger, J.L. 2008. “Viva Las Vegas! Biophysical and Sociodemographic Considerations in Developing Alternative Futures for the Upper Las Vegas Wash Area.” Estación Biológica de Doñana, Seville, Spain, June 12, 2008.
  • Boettinger, J.L. 2008. “Viva Las Vegas! Developing Alternative Futures for the Upper Las Vegas Wash Area: Biophysical and Sociodemographic Considerations” VII Ciclo de Conferencias en Biodiversidad y Conservación, Universidad de Granada y Parque de Ciencias, Granada, Spain, May 30, 2008.
  • Boettinger, J.L. 2007. “Soils and Landscape Evolution of Cache Valley, Utah.” Presented at the National Collegiate Soil Judging Contest, Utah State University, Logan, UT, April 17, 2007.
  • Boettinger, J.L. 2006. “Geologic Overview of the Park City, Heber Valley, and Strawberry Valley Areas.” Presented at the Joint Western Cooperative Soil Survey and the Western Society of Soil Science Conferences, Park City, UT, June 19, 2006.
  • Boettinger, J.L. 2006. “Agricultural Experiment Station Activities in the Western Regional Cooperative Soil Survey.” Presented at the Joint Western Cooperative Soil Survey and the Western Society of Soil Science Conferences, Park City, UT, June 19, 2006.
  • Cole*, N.J. and J.L. Boettinger. 2006. “Pedogenic Understanding Raster Classification (PURC) GIS and Soil Survey Protocol: Unsupervised classification demonstration.” USDI Bureau of Land Management National Soil-Water-Air Conference, February, 2006.
  • Cole*, N.J. and J.L. Boettinger. 2006. “Pedogenic Understanding Raster Classification (PURC) GIS and Soil Survey Protocol: Knowledge-based classification demonstration.” BLM National Soil-Water-Air Conference, February, 2006.
  • Boettinger, J.L. 2005. “Application of Remote Sensing in Soil Survey” Presented at the National Cooperative Soil Survey MO Leaders Meeting, Bismarck, ND, August 25, 2005. (My Powerpoint presentation was actually delivered by Jon Hempel, Director of the National Geospatial Development Center, due to change in travel plans.)
  • Boettinger, J.L. 2005. “Exploring Geological-Pedological-Ecological Connections in the Colorado Plateau (or, Geology Rules!)” Presented to the Department of Soil Science and the Department of Geosciences, North Dakota State University, May 9, 2005.

Graduate Students:

Current:

  1. Colby Brungard, PhD in Soil Science (Expected 2012). Alternative sampling and analysis methods for digital soil mapping in southwestern Utah.
  2. Suzann Kienast-Brown, PhD in Soil Science (Expected 2012). Digital soil mapping techniques for soil survey updates in Intermountain West rangelands.
  3. Brian M. McMullen, MS in Soil Science (Expected ?). Soil-vegetation-landscape relationships in the southeastern Wind River Range, Shoshone National Forest.

Completed:

    1. Alexander K. Stum, MS in Soil Science, 2010. Predicting soil distribution from modeling of remotely sensed environmental covariates using random forests.
    2. Colby Brungard, MS in Soil Science, 2009. Alternative sampling and analysis methods for digital soil mapping in southwestern Utah.
    3. Ryan K. McBride, MS  Plan B in Irrigation Engineering, 2006. Remote Plot Irrigation Design for Supplying Supplemental Water to Forest and Range Ecosystems. (Thesis Coordinator)
    4. Jedd M. Bodily, MS in Soil Science, 2005. Protocol development for digital soil survey update, Golden Spike National Historic Monument.
    5. Amy M. Saunders, MS in Soil Science, 2005. Incorporating classification tree analysis into the pedogenic understanding raster classification methodology.
    6. Nephi J. Cole, MS in Soil Science, 2004. Development and testing of a pedogenic understanding raster-based classification (PURC) methodology for mapping soils, Powder River Basin, WY.
    7. Shawn J. Nield, MS in Soil Sc ience, 2004.  Geographic information systems and remote-sensing to assess potential salinity contributions to the upper San Rafael River, UT.
    8. Shibru Daba Fufa, MS in Soil Science, Plan C, 2004 (Non-thesis, advised with Lynn Dudley).
    9. Erin P. Bell, MS in Soil Science, 2003. Pedogenesis of clay lamellae in a semiarid environment, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.
    10. James M. MacMillan, MS in Soil Science, 2003. Soil properties influence western harvester ant nest site density, Uintah and Piceance Basins, Utah-Colorado.
    11. Suzann Kienast, MS in Soil Science, 2002. Improving efficiency and quality of soil survey using traditional and landscape analysis methods, Grand Staircase - Escalante National Monument.
    12. Kent D. Sutcliffe, MS in Soil Science, 1999. Dynamics of irrigation-induced and saline wet soils, central Utah.
    13. Ivette S. MacQueen, MS in Soil Science, 1996. Dynamics of ammonium adsorption by clinoptilolite in static, anaerobic manure systems.
    14. Joe Vaninetti, MS in Soil Science, 1996. Uranium sorption on calcite and a calcareous soil. 
    15. Thomas M. Zimmer, MS in Soil Science, 1996. Pedogenesis on quartzite-rich Pleistocene moraines, Smith’s Fork Drainage, Uinta Mountains.

Grants and Contracts:

  • 2010-2014    US Fish and Wildlife Service. "Shrubby Reed-Mustard Habitat: Parent Material, Soil, and Landscape Characteristics." PI: J.L. Boettinger. $161,662. (Modification to Agreement No. 601819G319 to E.W Schupp, total award $234,035.)
  • 2009-2014    USDI Bureau of Land Management. "Digital Soil Mapping and Value-Added Soil Survey Information for Utah Public Lands." PI: J.L. Boettinger. $220,000.
  • 2009-2010    USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. "Completing Enhancements to the Pedogenic Understanding Raster Classification (PURC) Methodology and Map Evaluation." $34,701
  • 2008-2009    Ministerio de Ciencias, España (Spanish Ministry of Sciences). “Islas de fertilidad en ambientes mediterráneanos áridios: Mosaico espacial e interacciones de realimentación entre fauna y matorral.” (“Islands of fertility in arid Mediterranean environments: Spatial mosaic and food-web interactions between fauna and shrubs.”) PI: F. Sanchez Piñero, Co-PI: A. Gonzáles Megías, Collaborator: J.L Boettinger. €9 000.
  • 2008-2009    USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, National Geospatial Development Center and National Employee Development Center. “Completion of Development of NRCS/NEDC Course: Remote Sensing for Soil Survey Applications.” PI: J.L. Boettinger. $10,825.
  • 2007-2012 Utah Agricultural Experiment Station (Multi-state Hatch Funds). "Benchmark Soilscapes to Predict Effects of Climatic Change in the Western USA." $155,000.
  • 2006-2009 USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. “Enhancing the Pedogenic Understanding Raster Classification (PURC) Methodology and Maps: ASTER, Arches, and Attitudes.” PI: J.L. Boettinger. $98,099.
  • 2006-2008    USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, National Geospatial Development Center and National Employee Development Center. “Course Development: Remote Sensing in Soil Survey.” PI: J.L. Boettinger. $29,357.
  • 2006-2008 USDI Bureau of Land Management, Cooperative Ecosystems Study Unit. “The Las Vegas Boundary Disposal Area: Evaluating Alternative Land-Use Planning Scenarios and Potential Relationships with Measures of Disturbance and Area Ecological Integrity” PI: J.A. MacMahon, Co-PIs: R.E Toth, R.S. Krannich, T.C. Edwards, and J.L. Boettinger. $765,835.
  • 2006-2007 USDA-CSREES, “Utah Drought Management Project”, PI: Paul Johnson; Co-PIs J.L. Boettinger, S.B. Jones, and G.E. Cardon. $739,000. (Special Project)
  • 2006-2007 USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. “Course Development: Remote Sensing in Soil Survey.” PI: J.L. Boettinger. $29,357.
  • 2005-2006 USDI Bureau of Land Management, Colorado Plateau Cooperative Ecosystems Study Unit. “Digital Soil Mapping of Utah Public Lands: Beaver County” PI: J.L. Boettinger. $50,000 in 2005; $68,000 in 2006: Total $118,000.
  • 2004-2006 USDA Forest Service, “Terrestrial Ecosystem Unit Inventory of the Southern Unit of the Wind River Range, Shoshone National Forest”. PIs: J.L. Boettinger and D.W. Roberts. $338,500.
  • 2004-2005 USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, “Developing Remote-Sensing/Terrain Analysis Methods and Models for North Dakota Soil Survey Updates”. PIs: D.W. Franzen and J.L. Boettinger. $75,688. ($13,683 Subcontract from North Dakota State University).
  • 2003- 2005 USDI Bureau of Land Management, Colorado Plateau Cooperative Ecosystems Study Unit. “Soil and Groundwater Contributions to Salinity in the San Rafael River Drainage, Emery, County, Utah” PI: J.L. Boettinger. $40,861.
  • 2002-2005 USDI Bureau of Land Management, Colorado Plateau Cooperative Ecosystems Study Unit. “Accelerating Soil Survey of Wyoming Public Lands: Developing Protocols and Methodology for Inventory and Data Quality Assessment”. PI: JL Boettinger. $66,310.
  • 2001-2005 USDA Forest Service. “Logan Ranger District Soil Resource Inventory UT-647 NASIS Database Population Project”. J.L. Boettinger (PI). $23,000.
  • 1998-2001 USDA Higher Education Challenge Grant. “Interactive 3-D Visualization of Molecules and Minerals in Soil Science Instruction”. E.A. Nater, A.H. Duin, P.W. Barak, J.L. Boettinger (Co-PI). $159,963. ($20,000 Subcontract from University of Minnesota).
  • 1996-2003 USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Wet Soil Monitoring - Global Change Program. "Problems identifying hydric soils in arid and semiarid climates: Dynamics of saline and irrigation-induced wet soils". J.L. Boettinger (PI), L.M. Dudley, and J.M. Norton. $71,000.
  • 1996-1997 USDA Forest Service, Ashley National Forest. "Soil analysis - Ashley National Forest". J.L. Boettinger (PI). $3,000.
  • 1995-1997 USDA Forest Service, Ashley National Forest. "Eolian deposition to alpine soils, Uinta Mountains". J.L. Boettinger (PI). $10,000.
  • 1993-1996 USDA National Research Initiative, Special Water Quality Competitive Grants Program. "Efficiency of zeolite use in reduction of nitrate contamination from animal manure". J.L. Boettinger (PI), L.M. Dudley, P.T. Kolesar, and J.M. Norton. $113,646.
  • 1995-1996 USDA Forest Service, Ashley National Forest. "Analysis of Uinta Mountain soils". J.L. Boettinger (PI) $4,000.
  • 1994-1996 USDI Bureau of Land Management, Challenge Cost Share Program. "Edaphic factors influencing the distribution and ecology of Jones' Cycladenia". J.L. Boettinger (PI) and S.D. Sipes. $3,150.1994-2005 USDA Natural Resources (formerly, Soil) Conservation Service, National Soil Survey Center and Utah State Office. Various Special Assistance Projects and In-Kind Contributions.
  • Soil 2000: Soils, Waters, and the Environment (University Studies Breadth Physical Science); Spring 2011
  • Soil 5130/6130: Soil Genesis, Morphology, and Classification (Senior/Graduate); Fall 2010
  • Soil 5750: Environmental Quality: Soil and Water (Senior Capstone in Environmental Soil/Water Science); Spring 2011
  • Soil 7210: Advanced Pedology (Graduate) ; Spring 2011

Contest Participation (faculty advisor): 

  • 1993-1996, 2000-2009 Northwest Regional Contests
  • 1994, 2005-2011 National Contests
  • 1995 NACTA Contest 
  • 2010 Utah Contest

Contests Hosted:

  • 1993, 1996, 2001, and 2004 Northwest Regional Contests  
  • 2007 National Collegiate Soil Judging Contest →

 

Professional Activities:

  • Soil Science Society of America
  • International Union of Soil Scientists
  • Western Society of Soil Science
  • Ecological Society of America
  • American Geophysical Union
  • Geological Society of America
  • Association for Women Soil Scientists
  • International Year of Planet Earth - Soils Team member
  • Sigma Xi


Selected National Cooperative Soil Survey Activities:

  •  Remote Sensing in Soil Survey
  •  Digital Soil Mapping
  •  Problem Hydric Soils
  •  Course Development
    • “Advanced Technology in Soil Survey”: Training course developed and taught by National Cooperative Soil Survey representatives from USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, UDSI Bureau of Land Management, USDA Forest Service, and Utah State University.
    • "Remote Sensing with Soil Survey Applications": Training course for the USDA NRCS National Employee Development Center.
  •  Other: Field reviews, technology transfer, information dissemination, training, etc. 

 

A complete list of publications, presentations, research reports, and Cooperative Soil Survey Activities is available upon request.