Raquel Portes

Raquel Portes is a Senior Research Scientist in the Department of Geography, Earth, and Environmental Sciences at the University of Northern British Columbia. She specializes in physical geography and soil science, with research focusing on soil-landscape relationships in natural and anthropogenic environments. Her work examines how these relationships respond to climate and land-use changes, with field studies conducted in Southeast Alaska, British Columbia, and the Northeastern United States.

Dr. Portes received her Postdoctoral training from the University of Zurich, Switzerland, and holds PhD, MS, and BS degrees from the Federal University of Viçosa, Brazil. She was awarded the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship for her postdoctoral research.

Her research integrates fieldwork with analyses of soil geochemistry and mineralogy, utilizing both stable and unstable isotopes. Key research areas include evaluating the effects of deforestation on soil erosion rates using 239+240Pu isotopes as tracers, examining land-use change consequences on soil erosion across different timescales, and analyzing relationships between soil formation, soil carbon storage, and landscape stability in recently deglaciated landscapes. She serves as an editor for Catena Journal, contributing to advancements in soil formation, soil erosion, and landscape evolution knowledge.

Dr. Portes' recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on soil formation processes in coastal temperate rainforests, particularly in Southeast Alaska. Her work reveals how rapidly soils develop in post-glacial environments, with Podzols forming in less than 200 years and significant carbon storage occurring in subsurface horizons. She has pioneered the use of Pu isotopes as reliable tracers for quantifying soil erosion and sedimentation rates across various landscapes.

• James and Julie Bockheim Distinguished Lecture in Soil Science (2021)
• Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship

Dr. Portes actively mentors graduate students and has supervised research on topics including soil erosion after wildfires in British Columbia, soil carbon dynamics in post-glacial landscapes, and the impact of forest management practices on soil health. She leads an NSERC Alliance-funded project exploring aspen beddings as sustainable soil amendments for improving soil health in Northern BC. Her research collaborations span multiple institutions including the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Northern Arizona University, Virginia Tech, and Oregon State University.

Her research team, sometimes referred to as the "#extremepedology team," conducts fieldwork in challenging environments including glacier valleys and post-wildfire landscapes. Dr. Portes has established strong partnerships with First Nations communities, including the Cheslatta First Nation, and regional agricultural associations like the Nechako Valley Regional Cattlemen's Association.