Ecosystem Science and Management

College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Karen Vaughan

The main focus of my research, teaching, and service is using pedological concepts and tools to solve environmental problems and questions. Pedology is the study of soils in their natural environment through the examination of the five factors of soil formation. I am particularly interested in the influence of soil climate on formation as it applies to weathering, mineral synthesis, and changes over time. Hydric and hydromorphic soils also represent an exciting environment to study pedogenesis due the complex and dynamic processes involved.

Education

• Ph.D., Pedology (Soil and Land Resources), University of Idaho
• M.S., Pedology & Hydric Soils (Natural Resource Sciences), University of Maryland
• B.S., Entomology and Wildlife Conservation, University of Delaware

Research Interests

• Application of pedological concepts and tools to solve environmental problems
• Hydric and hydromorphic soils
• Wetland ecosystem functions
• Influence of climate on edaphic factors and vegetation communities
• Soil mineralogy and evolution
• Tephra-influenced soils
• Natural resources education

Teaching Activities

• SOIL 4120/5120 Soil Genesis and Morphology (4 credits, fall)
• SOIL 2010 Introduction to Soil Science (4 credits, spring)