Faculty Profile

Michael J. Vepraskas, Ph.D.

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Dr. Vepraskas

William Neal Reynolds Professor of Soil Science

Appointment

Teaching : 15%

Research :85%

Extension : 0%

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Education

  • B.S. Geology Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison 1973
  • M.S. Soil Science University of Wisconsin-Madison 1975
  • Ph.D. Soil Science Texas A & M University 1980
 

Link to recent CV

Professional Activities and Interests

  • Wetland soils and their interactions with the environment are a primary interest at this time.  The  research discovered the unique color patterns created by soil-groundwater interactions that now form the basis for how all jurisdictional wetlands are identified in the U.S. and abroad.  This research is published in “Redoximorphic Features for Identifying Aquic Conditions”, which has sold over 15,000 copies worldwide. The USDA has incorporated these features into their soil classification system, and most states have incorporated them into their regulations governing on-site wastewater disposal.  This information is taught in virtually all classes around the country that deal with wetlands and soil genesis/classification.  Short courses for wetland professionals have filled annually for over 10 years.

  • “Hydropedology” has become a new area of interest.  Through field experiments and use of hydrologic models with historic climate data, the hydrologic conditions associated with specific color patterns have been defined.  Applications of this work include using soil color to predict long-term soil hydrology, defining precise hydrologic requirements for wetland plants, and assessing soils for on-site wastewater treatment..

  • Currently serve as Co-Editor-in-Chief of Geoderma.

Courses

Course Number Course Name
SSC 470/570 Wetland soils
SSC 470/570-DE Wetland Soils
SSC 461 Soil Physical Properties

Current Projects

  1. Methodology to Assess Soil, Hydrologic, and Site Parameters that Affect Wetland Restoration Success. Project Director. NC Dep. of Transportation, $1,937,000.
  2. Soil productivity and nutrient management of mid-rotation sweetgum and sycamore SRWC plantations. Principle Investigator. US Forest Service, $81,500.

Current Extension Programs

  • No formal extension appointment, but teache 4-day-long short courses to wetland professionals to instruct them in how to identify hydric soils for jurisdictional purposes.  The classes are sponsored by: NC State Univeristy, University of Georgia, and the USDA-NRCS.

Recent Honors

  • Adjunct Professor Geology, University of Tennessee-Knoxville, 2000-present

  • Elected “Fellow” of the Soil Science Society of America, 2000
  • Elected “Fellow” of the American Society of Agronomy, 2001
  • Soil Science Applied Research Award, Soil Science Society of America, 2004
  • Professional Achievement in Water Quality Award, 2006
  • Soil Science Education Award, Soil Science Society of America, 2006

Recent Publications

  • Vepraskas, M.J. 2005. Predicting contaminant transport along quartz veins above the water table in a mica-schist saprolite. Geoderma 126: 47-57.

  • Caldwell, P.V., A. A. Adams, C.P. Niewoehner, M.J. Vepraskas, and J.D. Gregory. 2005. Sampling device to extract intact cores in saturated organic soils. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 69: 2071-2075.

  • Ewing, J.M. and M.J. Vepraskas. 2006. Estimating primary and secondary subsidence in an organic soil 15, 20, and 30 years after drainage.  Wetlands 26:119-130.

  • Vepraskas, M.J., R.L. Huffman, and G.S. Kreiser. 2006. Hydrologic models for altered landscapes. Geoderma 131:287-298.

  • Szuch, R.P., J.G. White, M.J. Vepraskas, and J.M. Doolittle. 2006.  Application of ground penetrating radar to aid restoration planning for a drained Carolina Bay. Wetlands 26:205-216.

  • Vepraskas, M.J., J.L. Richardson, and J.P. Tandarich. 2006.  Dynamics of redoximorphic feature formation under controlled ponding in a created riverine wetland. Wetlands 26: 486-496.

  • Caldwell, P.V., M.J. Vepraskas, and J.D. Gregory. 2007. Physical properties of natural organic soils in the Southeastern United States. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 71:1051-1057.

  • Fielder, S., M.J. Vepraskas, and J.L. Richardson. 2007.  Soil redox potential: importance, field measurements, and observations. Adv. Agron. 94:1-54.

  • Caldwell, P.V., M.J. Vepraskas, R.W. Skaggs, and J.D. Gregory. 2007. Simulating the hydrology of natural Carolina Bay wetlands.  Wetlands 27(4):1112-1123.

  • Vepraskas, M.J. and P.V. Caldwell.  2008.  Interpreting morphological features in wetland soils with a hydrologic model.  Catena 73(2):153-165.

Personal Activities and Interests

Drinking good beer, completing crossword puzzles, watching old movies, and hiking.

My Work Groups

Keywords

  • wetland soils
  • hydric soils
  • Redoximorphic features