Master's degree Crop and Soil Science thesis defense Seminar: Bernard Frantz

August 12, 2025 12:30PM - 1:30PM

Plant and Soil Sciences Building Room A271

Members of the Examining Committee and their Department:

1. Dr. Barret Wessel - Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences
2. Dr. Jeremy Hartsock- Fisheries and Wildlife
3. Dr. Brian Teppen- Plant, Soil, and Microbial Sciences

The seminar precedes the examination, at the time above

ABSTRACT

Histosols are widely distributed throughout the state of Michigan. These soils are primarily found in inland wetlands and contain a wide variety of organic soil materials, including fibric, hemic, sapric, limnic, and sulfidic components. The formation of Michigan’s Histosols within herbaceous, woody, and even subaqueous wetland ecosystems reflects the ecological diversity of these landscapes. Together, these characteristics represent a complex and varied portfolio of Michigan’s organic soils.

Among the most difficult analyses to perform in Histosols is the determination of bulk density. Bulk density is a critical soil property, as it enables the estimation of carbon content within a given volume of soil. Precise carbon stock assessments are increasingly important in the context of climate change mitigation and the growing carbon credit market. As attention shifts toward blue carbon (carbon sequestered in marine subaqueous soils) and teal carbon (carbon sequestered in freshwater wetlands), and with Histosols potentially playing a significant role in Michigan’s carbon sequestration, the accuracy of their current mapping and characterization must be ensured.

Histosols present unique logistical and technical challenges in the field. Standing water, limited accessibility, and fundamental differences from mineral soil protocols complicate both observation and collection. Because site conditions vary widely, careful selection of tools and techniques is essential. Factors such as hydrology, degree of decomposition, and surface stability influence whether samples will be representative and suitable for laboratory analysis. Minimizing disturbance during collection directly improves the reliability of analytical results.

This paper examines the distribution and characteristics of Histosols across Michigan, their role in carbon stock mapping, and best practices for sampling and analysis using both field and laboratory technique.