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Dr. Abbey Wick
Assistant Professor, Extension Soil Health Specialist
Office: 239 Walster Hall, Box 6050
Phone: 701-850-6458
Fax: 701-231-7861
Email: abbey.wick@ndsu.edu
AREAS OF EXPERTISE/PHILOSOPHY:
I incorporate both fundamental and applied approaches to my research and extension activities, addressing the theory behind ecosystem processes as well as management practices to repair ecosystem processes following disturbance. I am specifically trained in soil organic matter dynamics/nutrient cycling, soil structural development and microbial ecology. Each property is a sensitive indicator of soil health, especially in lands that have been disturbed or impacted by salinity and/or sodicity.
All systems, whether it be agricultural or resource extraction scenarios, require a holistic approach; where the interactions of climate, landscape position, hydrology, geology, vegetation communities/crop systems, and fundamental soil processes are considered during the selection of an appropriate management practice or strategy. I utilize and encourage this approach when working with landowners, industry, government agencies, etc. to best preserve the natural resources in North Dakota.
PROJECTS
EDUCATION:
Ph.D. Soil Science, University of Wyoming (2007)
Dissertation: Soil Aggregate and Organic Matter Dynamics in Reclaimed Mineland Soils, Advisor: Pete Stahl
M.A. Geography, University of Denver (2004)
Thesis: The Effects of Soil Depth and Soil Characteristics on Plant Community Development in North Dakota, Advisor: Terry Toy
B.A. Geography, University of Denver (2001)
Major: Geography, Minor: Environmental Science, Anthropology
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
USDA-ARS Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory, Collaborator, 2003-current, Mandan, ND. www.mandan.ars.usda.gov
Virginia Tech, Post-doctoral Research Associate/Senior Research Associate (2008-2012), Blacksburg, VA. Marginal Soils Research Group: www.landrehab.org
University of Wyoming, Post-doctoral Research Associate (2007-2008), Laramie, WY. Tinker Forest and Fire Ecology Lab: https://www.uwyo.edu/tinkerlab/default.htm and Stahl Soil Ecology Lab: http://www.uwyo.edu/esm/faculty-and-staff/peter-stahl.html
*for an extended history, please see CV
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS/TRAINING/COMMITTEES:
Soil Ecology Society (2006-present)
American Society of Mining and Reclamation (ASMR, 2003-present)
Soil Science Society of America (2003-present)
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) trained (2002-2007)
Women Geoscientists of America (2001-2007)
ASMR National Executive Committee (NEC) 2008-2011 - elected to this position
ASMR Web Development Committee 2009-2010 – co-chair
ASMR Early Career Members Committee 2009 to present – chair
ASMR National Meeting Planning Committee 2005, 2007, 2008
PUBLICATIONS:
Wick, A.F., R.L. Phillips, M.A. Liebig, M. West and W.L. Daniels. 2012. Linkages between Soil Micro-site Properties and CO2 and N2O Emissions during a Simulated Thaw for a Northern Prairie Mollisol. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 50:118-125.
Dangi, S.R., P.D. Stahl, A.F. Wick, L.J. Ingram and J.S. Buyer. 2012. Soil Microbial Community Recovery in Reclaimed Soil on a Surface Coal Mine Site. Soil Science Society of America Journal 76: 915-924.
Phillips, R.L., A.F. Wick, M.A. Liebig, M. West and W.L. Daniels. 2012. Biogenic Emissions of CO2 and N2O at Multiple Depths Increase Exponentially during a Simulated Soil Thaw for a Northern Prairie Mollisol. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 45:14-22.
Wick, A.F., S.D. Merrill, T.J. Toy and M. A. Liebig. 2011. Effect of Soil Depth and Land Structure on Plant Productivity and Community Development on 28-Year Old Reclaimed Mine Lands. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 66: 201-211.
Wick, A.F., P.D. Stahl, L.J. Ingram and L. Vicklund. 2009. Soil Aggregation and Organic Carbon in Short-term Stockpiles. Soil Use and Management 25: 311-319.
Wick, A.F., P.D. Stahl, and L.J. Ingram. 2009. Aggregate Associated Carbon and Nitrogen in Reclaimed Sandy Loam Soils. Soil Science Society of America Journal 73: 1852-1860.
Wick, A.F., S. Huzurbazar, and P.D. Stahl. 2009. Use of Bayesian Methods to Model Soil Aggregation in Undisturbed Semiarid Grasslands. Soil Science Society of America Journal 73: 1707-1714.
Ganjugunte, G.K., A.F. Wick, P.D. Stahl and G.F. Vance. 2009. Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration in Reclaimed Coal Mine Lands. Land Degradation and Development 20:156-175.
Wick, A.F., P.D. Stahl, L.J. Ingram. 2009. Aggregate and Organic Matter Dynamics in Reclaimed Soils as Indicated by Stable Carbon Isotopes. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 41:201-209.
Ingram, L.J., P.D. Stahl, A.F. Wick, and J.A. Anderson. 2009. Organic Carbon Accumulation in Reclaimed Mine Soils of the Western U.S.A. pp. 311-319. In: R. Lal and R. Follett (Eds.) Soil Carbon Sequestration and the Greenhouse Effect, 2nd Edition, SSSA Special Publication 57, Madison, WI.
REPORTS:
Day, S.D. 2012. Soil Profile Rebuilding Specification. Guidelines for soil restoration techniques to be used at urban sites. Adopted for practice by landscape architects, planners, designers and municipalities. Contributors: S. Day, R. Layman, Y. Chen, K. Rolf, R. Harris, W. Daniels, P. Wiseman, K. McGuire, B. Strahm, A. Wick and B. Mauzy. www.urbanforestry.frec.vt.edu/SRES/specification.html
Wick, A.F., N.W. Haus, B.F. Sukkariyah, K.C. Haering, and W.L. Daniels. 2011. Remediation of PAH-Contaminated Soils and Sediments: A Literature Review. Available online: http://landrehab.org/publications
P.D. Stahl, L.J. Ingram, and A.F. Wick. 2008. Influence of Plant Community Structure and Topsoil Handling Method on Soil Structure Development and Microbial Community Recovery in Reclaimed Soil: Annual Research Report. Office of Surface Mining, Technology Transfer.
FUNDING:
Eastern North Dakota Soil Salinity Specialist – Years Three Four and Five. EPA-319, $191,921 (Franzen and Wick).
Equipment Grant, Shimadzu GC-2014 Greenhouse Gas analyzer with an AOC-5000 autosampler. Virginia Tech, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Equipment Trust Fund, 2010, $66,760.00 (Wick and Daniels).
Vegetation Establishment on Amended Saline Dredge Materials. Weanack Land LLP, 2009-2011, $90,000.00. (Wick, Daniels and Haus).
Influence of Plant Community Structure and Topsoil Handling Methods on Soil Structure Development and Microbial Community Recovery in Reclaimed Soil, Office of Surface Mining, 2007-2008, $114,874.00 (Stahl, Ingram and Wick).
*for complete list of conference proceedings and abstracts, please see full CV.