What we do and why we love it

Soil physics is a diverse and cross-disciplinary science. As its central study object, soil physics explores the variably water-saturated zone of the pedosphere between the Earth’s surface and the groundwater. This critical zone is of immense interest for practical problems addressing sustainability, agriculture, ecology and engineering. Within these themes, soil physics centrally interfaces with sciences studying the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere. We draw on the principles of physics to study the exchange of water, energy, gasses and solutes with and within these spheres. The soil physics group at the University of Idaho focuses on the integrative and complex array of processes governing the physical and hydrologic state of Earth systems at multiple spatial and temporal scales.

Forward and inverse approaches

Direct and indirect estimation of physical and hydraulic properties of soils at integrative scales ranging from particle cluster to watershed scales.

From sample- to field-scale physical properties

Direct estimation of physical and hydraulic properties of soils at integrative scales ranging from particle clusters to soil profiles. Indirect estimation of physical and hydraulic properties of soils using near-surface geophysical tools.