Dr. Hunter will join the Department in January 2025 after concluding a postdoctoral research position at Yale University. She is interested in the connections between geomorphic processes, soil development, and organic carbon dynamics within the Critical Zone. As the place where vegetation, water, microbes, soil minerals, and surface processes intertwine, quantifying the Critical Zone (CZ) is integral for predicting the impacts of climate change, environmental hazards, and land management on landscapes. She enjoys both field and lab work and is excited to explore the landscapes around Appalachian State!
Education
- Ph.D. in Earth Sciences from the University of Oregon
- B.A. in Geology from Macalester College
Research Interests
- Critical Zone Science
- Geomorphology
- Soil Science
- Environmental Hazards
Website and CV
Recent publications
View Dr. Hunter’s profile on Google Scholar.
- Hunter, B.D., Roering, J.J., Silva, L.C.R. et al. Geomorphic controls on the abundance and persistence of soil organic carbon pools in erosional landscapes. Nat. Geosci. 17, 151–157 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41561-023-01365-2
- Roering, J.J., Hunter, B.D., Ferrier, K.L., Chadwick, O.A., Yoo, K., Wackett, A.A., Almond, P.C., Silva, L.C.R, and Jellinek, M.A. Quantifying erosion rates and weathering pathways that maximize soil organic carbon storage. Biogeochemistry Letters (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10533-023-01054-7
- Hunter, B.D., Roering, J.J., Almond, P.C., Chadwick, O.A., Polizzotto, M.L., and Silva, L.C.R.Pedogenic pathways and deep weathering controls on soil organic carbon in Pacific Northwest forest soils, Geoderma (2023). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2023.116531
Title: Assistant Professor: Critical Zone Science (she/her/hers)
Department: Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences
Email address: Email me