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Dr. Jörg Luster
Function
interim Head of Research Unit
Contact
Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL
Zürcherstrasse 111
8903 Birmensdorf
Site
Birmensdorf Bi MG C 52
Main Research Interests
I study biogeochemical cycles in soils of near-natural ecosystems, including plant-soil-microbe
interactions in the rhizosphere. Based on an improved understanding of these processes, I assess
different soil functions and their sensitivity to effects caused by changes in climate and land use
management. The most recent studies focus on the interaction of soil moisture regimes, e.g. drying and rewetting cycles, with the availability and leaching of nutrients and the emission of greenhouse gases
(CO2, N2O, CH4).
For details on processes at the interface between plant root and soil see research focus "Rhizosphere".
For current projects see list below plus
Phosphorus nutrition on acid forest soils; DFG/SNF priority program SPP 1685 "Ecosystem Nutrition"
FURTHER INFORMATION
Publications WSL
Scientific publication article peer reviewed
Luster, J.; Crockford, L.; Keller, T.; Muñoz-Rojas, M.; Wollschläger, U., 2022: Editorial: Eurosoil 2021: sustainable management of soil functions as a basis to avoid, halt, and reverse land degradation. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 10. doi: 10.3389/fenvs.2022.1093226
Celi, L.; Said-Pullicino, D.; Bol, R.; Lang, F.; Luster, J., 2022: Interconnecting soil organic matter with nitrogen and phosphorus cycling. In: Yang, Y.; Keiluweit, M.; Senesi, N.; Xing, B. (eds), 2022: Multi-scale biogeochemical processes in soil ecosystems. Critical reactions and resilience to climate changes. Hoboken, NJ, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.. 51-77. doi: 10.1002/9781119480419.ch3
Ozyhar, T.; Marchi, M.; Facciotto, G.; Bergante, S.; Luster, J., 2022: Combined application of calcium carbonate and NPKS fertilizer improves early-stage growth of poplar in acid soils. Forest Ecology and Management, 514: 120211 (11 pp.). doi: 10.1016/j.foreco.2022.120211
Prietzel, J.; Krüger, J.; Kaiser, K.; Amelung, W.; Bauke, S.L.; Dippold, M.A.; Kandeler, E.; Klysubun, W.; Lewandowski, H.; Löppmann, S.; Luster, J.; Marhan, S.; Puhlmann, H.; Schmitt, M.; Siegenthaler, M.B.; Siemens, J.; Spielvogel, S.; Willbold, S.; Wolff, J.; Lang, F., 2022: Soil phosphorus status and P nutrition strategies of European beech forests on carbonate compared to silicate parent material. Biogeochemistry, 158: 39-72. doi: 10.1007/s10533-021-00884-7
Joseph, J.; Luster, J.; Bottero, A.; Buser, N.; Baechli, L.; Sever, K.; Gessler, A., 2021: Effects of drought on nitrogen uptake and carbon dynamics in trees. Tree Physiology, 41, 6: 927-943. doi: 10.1093/treephys/tpaa146
Further scientific publications
Brunner, I.; Luster, J., 2022: Waldböden im Fokus. In: Eidg. Forschungsanstalt für Wald, Schnee und Landschaft WSL (eds), 2022: Waldböden - intakt und funktional. Forum für Wissen 2022, Birmensdorf. 7-11. doi: 10.55419/wsl:32000
Lang, F.; Luster, J., 2022: Waldökosystemernährung und Klimawandel: Schmilzt mit der Humusauflage auch die Nährstoffverfügbarkeit?. In: Eidg. Forschungsanstalt für Wald, Schnee und Landschaft WSL (eds), 2022: Waldböden - intakt und funktional. Forum für Wissen 2022, Birmensdorf. 19-25. doi: 10.55419/wsl:32002
Brunner, I.; Hagedorn, F.; Luster, J.; Meusburger, K.; Waldner, P., 2021: Research Unit Forest Soil and Biogeochemistry. In: Ferretti, M.; Fischer, C.; Gessler, A. (eds), 2021: Towards an advanced inventorying and monitoring system for the Swiss forest. Towards an advanced inventorying and monitoring system for the Swiss forest, Birmensdorf. 37-38.
Hagedorn, F.; Walthert, L.; Luster, J., 2019: Föhrensterben im Walllis: Auswirkung von Trockenheit auf den Wasser- und Kohlenstoffkreislauf des Pfynwaldes. In: 2019: Exkursionsführer Bern 2019. Erd-reich und Boden-Landschaften. Gemeinsame Jahrestagung der Bodenkundlichen Gesellschaft der Schweiz und der Deutschen Bodenkundlichen Gesellschaft, Bern. 125-136.
Radny, D.; Schirmer, M.; Luster, J.; Guenat, C.; Perona, P.; Bayer, P.; Stauffacher, M.; Seidl, R.; Hollender, J.; Baumann, M., 2018: Flussrevitalisierungsforschung. Wissenschaftliche Erkenntnisse zweier Forschungsprojekt im Einzugsgebiet der Thur. Aqua & Gas, 98, 4: 30-38.
Magazine article and brochures
Luster, J.; Zimmermann, S., 2017: Der Waldboden - kostbar, unentbehrlich, gefährdet. Bündnerwald, 70, 4: 5-8.
Luster, J.; Zimmermann, S.; Frey, B.; Brunner, I.; Lüscher, P.; Walthert, L.; Blaser, P., 2005: Schwermetalle in Schweizer Waldböden. Informationsblatt Wald, 21: 3-4.
Luster, J.; Zysset, M., 1996: Vom Menschen beschleunigt. Bodenversauerung. Wald und Holz, 77, 7: 24-27.
Curriculum
Born: December 17, 1960
Academic Qualifications
- 1985: Diploma in chemistry, ETH Zurich
- 1990: Ph.D., ETH Zurich
Professional Experience
- 1985: Chemist, EMPA – Materials Science and Technology, Dübendorf, Switzerland
- 1985–1986: Teaching Assistant, Laboratory for Inorganic Chemistry, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
- 1990-1992: Postdoctoral Researcher, Dept. of Soil Science, University of California, Berkeley, U.S.A.
- 1992-2003: Head Soil Chemistry Laboratory, WSL
- 1992–2006: Research Scientist, Dept. Soil Ecology, WSL
- 1992-2007: Chair Supervising Committee of the Central Analytical Laboratory, WSL
- since 2006: Head of Research Group „Soil Structure and Function“ and deputy head of the Research Unit „Soil Sciences“, WSL
- since 2008: Chair Laboratory Commission, WSL
- since 2010: Head of Research Group „Soil Functions and Soil Protection“ and deputy head of Research Unit „Forest Soils and Biogeochemistry“, WSL
Professional Activities
- 1997: Environmental Risk Assessment for NEAT tunnel construction
- 2002-2006: Co-Chair Working Group 2 and Coordinator of Swiss Research Activities COST 631 (Understanding and Modelling of Processes in the Rhizosphere Environment)
- 2003-2004: Scientific Committee „Rhizosphere 2004; perspectives and challenges - A tribute to Lorenz Hiltner“, München
- 2005: Organising Committee „Metal fluxes and stresses in terrestrial ecosystems“, Centro Stefano Franscini Monte Verità, Ascona
- 2010: Scientific Committee "Eurosoil 2012", Bari Italy
Bachelor and Master Theses
Digit Soil - A rapid measurement of soil health (M.Sc. thesis project)
According to FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), a quarter of the global surface of agricultural land is already highly degraded, therefore maintaining long-term soil health gains importance. Nevertheless, there are currently no easy, fast, and reliable ways to assess the effects of soil management on soil health and in particular on soil biology.
The planned Thesis-project seeks to support development of an easy-to-use, portable sensor (Digit Soil), measuring the activity of soil enzymes as a soil health indicator.
Starting date: any time 2021 or beginning of 2022
For more information contact joerg.luster@wsl.ch or sonia.meller@wsl.ch
Ph.D. students
Alexander Heim
- 1997-2000
- Committee: E. Frossard (ETHZ), N. Amrein (ETHZ), A. Göttlein (TU München), J. Luster (WSL)
- Project: "The role of root exudates in the aluminum tolerance of Norway spruce"
David Rais
- 2001-2005
- Committee: R. Schulin (ETHZ), B. Nowack (ETHZ, EMPA St. Gallen), J. Luster (WSL)
- Project: "From Cell to Tree: the Soil"
Jacynthe Dessureault-Rompré (co-supervision)
- 2003-2007
- Committee: R. Schulin (ETHZ), E. Frossard (ETHZ), B. Nowack (ETHZ, EMPA St. Gallen), J. Luster (WSL)
- Project: "Root exudation by Lupinus albus and Thlaspi species and effects on trace metal mobility in soils"
Juna Shrestha
- 2008-2011
- Committee: E. Frossard (ETHZ), K. Tockner (IGB Berlin, EAWAG), P. Niklaus (University of Zürich), J. Luster (WSL)
- Project: "Nitrogen cycling in floodplain soils"
Benjamin Huber (co-supervision)
- 2008-2012
- Committee: S. Bernasconi (ETHZ), B. Wehrli (ETHZ), W. Borken (University of Bayreuth), E. Graf-Pannatier (WSL), J. Luster (WSL)
- Project: "Tracing nitrate in water from the forest to the aquifer using stable isotopes of oxygen and nitrogen"
