ESM Program member Paul Sanborn is launching a new research program that will explore the soils of a poorly-studied region of BC – the “hypermaritime” ecosystems of the central coast.  Supported by the Hakai Institute, and based at its Calvert Island field station (120 km southwest of Bella Coola), this work will have two phases:  detailed mapping of soil types in ~ 7000 hectares of research watersheds, and a study of soil phosphorus chemistry and how it changes during long-term soil development.  These studies will support ongoing research which seeks to understand the controls of carbon export from coastal watersheds, and the causes of declining forest productivity on older substrates.