Wetland Soils ─ Genesis, Hydrology, Landscapes, and Classification

In the U.S., both federal and state laws prevent wetlands from being filled in or drained unless permits are obtained by an agency of the federal government. Boundaries of a wetland must be identified and located in the field by examining three parameters: wetland plants, wetland hydrology, and hydric soils. This book is written by scientists with extensive field and academic experience. This new edition is a major revision of the 2001 book, with 11 new chapters and updates throughout.

Michael J. Vepraskas is a William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor of Soil Science at North Carolina State University, where he is also head of the Soil Science Department. Currently, he specializes in wetlands with a focus on hydric soil formation and identification. His class on wetland soils is taught both on campus and online. In addition, he trains wetland consultants and regulators in identifying hydric soils through short courses that have been taught throughout the United States. He holds degrees from the University of Wisconsin in Madison (BS and MS) and Texas A&M University (PhD).

Christopher B. Craft is the Janet Duey Professor of rural land policy in the School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University, Bloomington. He earned degrees from the University of North Carolina-Ashville (BA, biology), the University of Tennessee (MS, ecology), and North Carolina State University (PhD, soil science). Professor Craft has over 30 years of experience working in inland freshwater and coastal wetlands. His research interests include wetland restoration, nutrient enrichment and eutrophication, carbon sequestration, and effects of climate change; his research projects span the Eastern, Midwest, and Western United States, Europe, and China.