Role of Soil Scientists in Wetland Research and Resource Management

The ecological and economic values of wetlands have only recently been realized by scientists and policy makers. Wetlands are poorly understood relative to most terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, due in large part to the complex nature of these systems combined with a paucity of process-related wetlands research. Historically, soil scientists were confined to research related to agricultural production. More recently, soil scientists in several disciplines have become involved in wetland-related research, including wetland delineation and flooded soil biogeochemistry. Past research in wetland ecology often ignored or minimized the importance of the soil as a component of the ecosystem. During the last few years, however, the soil subsystem has become a more prominent part of ecological research in wetlands. Furthermore, the importance of soil chemical and physical characteristics as indicators of wetland status and delineation has been increasingly recognized. Several examples of past and current roles of soil scientists in wetland research are presented. Present and future opportunities are numerous for expansion of the soil scientist's role in wetland research. Soil scientists must take the initiative in becoming an integral part of interdisciplinary teams for wetlands research, extension, consulting, or formulation of policy and regulations.