Lorenz Walthert
Function
scientific staff member
Contact
Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL
Zürcherstrasse 111
8903 Birmensdorf
Site
Birmensdorf Bi MG C 44
Current function at WSL
Project leader in the RU „Forest Soils and Biogeochemistry“
Research interests in keywords
Ecological niches of plant species in forests, tree species distribution, ecological indicator values, forest site ecology, water regime of trees and forest stands, digital soil mapping
Professional experience
In 1993, I had the unique opportunity to start at WSL with a forest soil inventory (WZI 1993) on a 8x8 km grid covering the whole forested area of Switzerland. Thereby I got a good overview of the Swiss forest soils.
From 1994 to 2003 I was responsible for the monitoring of the soil matrix on 16 level II plots in the framework of the Long-term Forest Ecosystem Research Programme (LWF). Here I got acquainted with the monitoring standards of UN/ECE ICP-Forests and strengthened my knowledge in soil analysis and data quality control.
Between 1999 and 2006 I was involved as one of five authors in the book project “Waldböden der Schweiz”. In three volumes we comprehensively described 95 Swiss forest soils for a broader public. This included the presentation of a large set of soil properties and their interpretation in terms of ecology and forest management.
The dynamic Web-application „Ecological indicator values of Swiss forest plant species“ is a pilot study at the soil-plant interface. Based on measured data, the application presents ecological indicator values for a large number of common Swiss forest plant species.
Over the last years the RU “Forest Soils and Biogeochemistry” has established a forest site database with data from currently about 1200 forest stands all over Switzerland. The database holds information on morphological, chemical and physical soil properties as well as on vegetation (abundances) and soil forming factors.
Motivation and research focus
I am interested in forest site ecology at the soil-plant interface, especially the response of forest plant species to measured environmental variables.
Ongoing climate change requires a deepened understanding of the water balance of forest stands and the water use strategy of tree species. Therefore, we assess water related data with high temporal resolution for spruce, pine, beech and oak in about 40 forest stands across Switzerland since 2013.
Another focus is forest soil protection. Here we try to generate regional and national maps of important soil properties and soil functions by using digital soil mapping (GIS-technology and (geo)statistics).
Education
| 10.1987 - 03.1993 | ETH-Zürich - Studies of forestry (Dipl. Forst-Ing. ETH) - Including 3 internships in Switzerland and Madagascar - Diploma thesis: ¨Ecology and regeneration of pine rich forests in Brienz-Wiesen (GR)” |
| 05.1993 | Training course in forest site mapping (University of Berne) |
| 06.2000 - 04.2001 | Office-Supporter SIZ |
| 10.2003 - 09.2004 | Webpublisher SIZ |
Expert activities
- Soil Expert Panel (ICP-Forests)
- Modelling the water regime of forest stands (Futmon)
FURTHER INFORMATION
Projects
Publications WSL
Scientific publication article peer reviewed
González-Domínguez, B.; Niklaus, P.A.; Studer, M.S.; Hagedorn, F.; Wacker, L.; Haghipour, N.; Zimmermann, S.; Walthert, L.; McIntyre, C.; Abiven, S., 2019: Temperature and moisture are minor drivers of regional-scale soil organic carbon dynamics. Scientific Reports, 9, 1: 6422 (11 pp.). doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-42629-5
Rigling, A.; Etzold, S.; Bebi, P.; Brang, P.; Ferretti, M.; Forrester, D.; Gärtner, H.; Gessler, A.; Ginzler, C.; Moser, B.; Schaub, M.; Stroheker, S.; Trotsiuk, V.; Walthert, L.; Zweifel, R.; Wohlgemuth, T., 2019: Wie viel Trockenheit ertragen unsere Wälder? Lehren aus extremen Trockenjahren. In: Bründl, M.; Schweizer, J. (eds), 2019: Lernen aus Extremereignissen. Forum für Wissen 2019: Lernen aus Extremereignissen, Davos. 39-51.
Walthert, L.; Schleppi, P., 2018: Equations to compensate for the temperature effect on readings from dielectric Decagon MPS-2 and MPS-6 water potential sensors in soils. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science, 181: 749-759. doi: 10.1002/jpln.201700620
Nussbaum, M.; Walthert, L.; Fraefel, M.; Greiner, L.; Papritz, A., 2017: Mapping of soil properties at high resolution in Switzerland using boosted geoadditive models. Soil, 3: 191-210. doi: 10.5194/soil-3-191-2017
Gosheva, S.; Walthert, L.; Niklaus, P.A.; Zimmermann, S.; Gimmi, U.; Hagedorn, F., 2017: Reconstruction of historic forest cover changes indicates minor effects on carbon stocks in Swiss forest soils. Ecosystems, 20, 8: 1512-1528. doi: 10.1007/s10021-017-0129-9
Walthert, L.; Meier, E.S., 2017: Tree species distribution in temperate forests is more influenced by soil than by climate. Ecology and Evolution, 7: 9473-9484. doi: 10.1002/ece3.3436
Baltensweiler, A.; Walthert, L.; Ginzler, C.; Sutter, F.; Purves, R.S.; Hanewinkel, M., 2017: Terrestrial laser scanning improves digital elevation models and topsoil pH modelling in regions with complex topography and dense vegetation. Environmental Modelling and Software, 95: 13-21. doi: 10.1016/j.envsoft.2017.05.009
Frank, A.; Sperisen, C.; Howe, G.T.; Brang, P.; Walthert, L.; St.Clair, J.B.; Heiri, C., 2017: Distinct genecological patterns in seedlings of Norway spruce and silver fir from a mountainous landscape. Ecology, 98, 1: 211-227. doi: 10.1002/ecy.1632
Moser, B.; Walthert, L.; Metslaid, M.; Wasem, U.; Wohlgemuth, T., 2017: Spring water deficit and soil conditions matter more than seed origin and summer drought for the establishment of temperate conifers. Oecologia, 183, 2: 519-530. doi: 10.1007/s00442-016-3766-3
Trasobares, A.; Zingg, A.; Walthert, L.; Bigler, C., 2016: A climate-sensitive empirical growth and yield model for forest management planning of even-aged beech stands. European Journal of Forest Research, 135, 2: 263-282. doi: 10.1007/s10342-015-0934-7
Rellstab, C.; Zoller, S.; Walthert, L.; Lesur, I.; Pluess, A.R.; Graf, R.; Bodénès, C.; Sperisen, C.; Kremer, A.; Gugerli, F., 2016: Signatures of local adaptation in candidate genes of oaks (Quercus spp.) with respect to present and future climatic conditions. Molecular Ecology, 25, 23: 5907-5924. doi: 10.1111/mec.13889
Nussbaum, M.; Papritz, A.; Zimmermann, S.; Walthert, L., 2016: Pedotransfer function to predict density of forest soils in Switzerland. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science, 179, 3: 321-326. doi: 10.1002/jpln.201500546
Lévesque, M.; Walthert, L.; Weber, P., 2016: Soil nutrients influence growth response of temperate tree species to drought. Journal of Ecology, 104, 2: 377-387. doi: 10.1111/1365-2745.12519
Van der Voort, T.S.; Hagedorn, F.; McIntyre, C.; Zell, C.; Walthert, L.; Schleppi, P.; Feng, X.; Eglinton, T.I., 2016: Variability in 14C contents of soil organic matter at the plot and regional scale across climatic and geologic gradients. Biogeosciences, 13, 11: 3427-3439. doi: 10.5194/bg-13-3427-2016
Weber, P.; Heiri, C.; Lévesque, M.; Sanders, T.; Trotsiuk, V.; Walthert, L., 2015: Zuwachs und Klimasensitivität von Baumarten im Ökogramm der kollinen und submontanen Stufe. Schweizerische Zeitschrift für Forstwesen, 166, 6: 380-388. doi: 10.3188/szf.2015.0380
Moser, B.; Metslaid, M.; Walthert, L.; Wasem, U.; Wohlgemuth, T., 2015: Verjüngungspotenzial verschiedener Waldföhren und Fichtenherkünfte bei variabler Trockenheit. Schweizerische Zeitschrift für Forstwesen, 166, 6: 399-407. doi: 10.3188/szf.2015.0399
Nussbaum, M.; Papritz, A.; Baltensweiler, A.; Walthert, L., 2014: Estimating soil organic carbon stocks of Swiss forest soils by robust external-drift kriging. Geoscientific Model Development, 7, 3: 1197-1210. doi: 10.5194/gmd-7-1197-2014
Weber, P.; Bugmann, H.; Pluess, A.R.; Walthert, L.; Rigling, A., 2013: Drought response and changing mean sensitivity of European beech close to the dry distribution limit. Trees: Structure and Function, 27, 1: 171-181. doi: 10.1007/s00468-012-0786-4
Walthert, L.; Graf Pannatier, E.; Meier, E.S., 2013: Shortage of nutrients and excess of toxic elements in soils limit the distribution of soil-sensitive tree species in temperate forests. Forest Ecology and Management, 297: 94-107. doi: 10.1016/j.foreco.2013.02.008
Graf Pannatier, E.; Thimonier, A.; Schmitt, M.; Waldner, P.; Walthert, L., 2012: Impacts des dépôts atmosphériques acides sur l'eau des sols forestiers. Schweizerische Zeitschrift für Forstwesen, 163, 9: 363-373. doi: 10.3188/szf.2012.0363
Dobbertin, M.; Hug, C.; Walthert, L., 2012: Waldzustand in der Schweiz: Erfassung, Entwicklung und Einflussfaktoren. Schweizerische Zeitschrift für Forstwesen, 163, 9: 331-342. doi: 10.3188/szf.2012.0331
Graf Pannatier, E.; Thimonier, A.; Schmitt, M.; Walthert, L.; Waldner, P., 2011: A decade of monitoring at Swiss Long-Term Forest Ecosystem Research (LWF) sites: can we observe trends in atmospheric acid deposition and in soil solution acidity?. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 174, 1-4: 3-30. doi: 10.1007/s10661-010-1754-3
Schleppi, P.; Thimonier, A.; Walthert, L., 2011: Estimating leaf area index of mature temperate forests using regressions on site and vegetation data. Forest Ecology and Management, 261, 3: 601-610. doi: 10.1016/j.foreco.2010.11.013
Thimonier, A.; Graf Pannatier, E.; Schmitt, M.; Waldner, P.; Walthert, L.; Schleppi, P.; Dobbertin, M.; Kräuchi, N., 2010: Does exceeding the critical loads for nitrogen alter nitrate leaching, the nutrient status of trees and their crown condition at Swiss Long-term Forest Ecosystem Research (LWF) sites?. European Journal of Forest Research, 129, 3: 443-461. doi: 10.1007/s10342-009-0328-9
Walthert, L.; Graf, U.; Kammer, A.; Luster, J.; Pezzotta, D.; Zimmermann, S.; Hagedorn, F., 2010: Determination of organic and inorganic carbon, δ13C, and nitrogen in soils containing carbonates after acid fumigation with HCl. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science, 173, 2: 207-216. doi: 10.1002/jpln.200900158
Hagedorn, F.; Moeri, A.; Walthert, L.; Zimmermann, S., 2010: Kohlenstoff in Schweizer Waldböden – bei Klimaerwärmung eine potenzielle CO2-Quelle. Schweizerische Zeitschrift für Forstwesen, 161, 12: 530-535. doi: 10.3188/szf.2010.0530
Blaser, P.; Walthert, L.; Graf Pannatier, E., 2008: The sensitivity of Swiss forest soils to acidification and the risk of aluminum toxicity. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science, 171, 4: 605-612. doi: 10.1002/jpln.200700185
Blaser, P.; Graf Pannatier, E.; Walthert, L., 2008: The base saturation in acidified Swiss forest soils on calcareous and noncalcareous parent material. A pH-base saturation anomaly. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science, 171, 2: 155-162. doi: 10.1002/jpln.200625213
Blaser, P.; Walthert, L.; Zimmermann, S.; Graf Pannatier, E.; Luster, J., 2008: Classification schemes for the acidity, base saturation, and acidification status of forest soils in Switzerland. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science, 171, 2: 163-170. doi: 10.1002/jpln.200700008
Waldner, P.; Schaub, M.; Graf Pannatier, E.; Schmitt, M.; Thimonier, A.; Walthert, L., 2007: Atmospheric deposition and ozone levels in Swiss forests: are critical values exceeded?. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 128, 13: 5-17. doi: 10.1007/s10661-006-9411-6
Richter, A.K.; Walthert, L.; Frossard, E.; Brunner, I., 2007: Does low soil base saturation affect fine root properties of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.)?. Plant and Soil, 298, 1-2: 69-79. doi: 10.1007/s11104-007-9338-x
Hirano, Y.; Walthert, L.; Brunner, I., 2006: Callose in root apices of European chestnut seedlings: a physiological indicator of aluminum stress. Tree Physiology, 26: 431-440.
Mayer, P.; Brang, P.; Dobbertin, M.; Hallenbarter, D.; Renaud, J.-P.; Walthert, L.; Zimmermann, S., 2005: Forest storm damage is more frequent on acidic soils. Annals of Forest Science, 62: 303-311. doi: 10.1051/forest:2005025
Graf Pannatier, E.; Walthert, L.; Blaser, P., 2004: Solution chemistry in acid forest soils: are the BC : Al ratios as critical as expected in Switzerland?. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science, 167: 160-168.
Brunner, I.; Brodbeck, S.; Walthert, L., 2002: Fine root chemistry, starch concentration, and "vitality" of subalpine conifer forests in relation to soil pH. Forest Ecology and Management, 165: 75-84. doi: 10.1016/S0378-1127(01)00633-8
Perruchoud, D.; Walthert, L.; Zimmermann, S.; Lüscher, P., 2000: Contemporary carbon stocks of mineral forest soils in the Swiss Alps. Biogeochemistry, 50, 2: 111-136. doi: 10.1023/A:1006320129112
Webster, R.; Rigling, A.; Walthert, L., 1996: An analysis of crown condition of Picea, Fagus and Abies in relation to environment in Switzerland. Forestry, 69, 4: 347-355. doi: 10.1093/forestry/69.4.347
Further scientific publications
TreeNet ist ein Netzwerk zur Erfassung von Baumwachstums- und Baumwasserdefizit-Indikatoren und generiert laufend aktuelle Informationen über den Zusammenhang zwischen Umweltfaktoren und den physiologischen Prozessen von Einzelbäumen.
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Scherler, M.; Remund, J.; Walthert, L., 2016: Wasserhaushalt von Wäldern bei zunehmender Trockenheit. In: Pluess, A.R.; Augustin, S.; Brang, P.; Bundesamt für Umwelt BAFU,Bern; Eidgenössische Forschungsanstalt für Wald,Schnee und Landschaft WSL,Birmensdorf (eds), 2016: Wald im Klimawandel. Grundlagen für Adaptationsstrategien. Bern, Stuttgart, Wien, Haupt. 39-59.
Scherler, M.; Remund, J.; Walthert, L., 2016: Régime hydrique des forêts et accroissement de la sécheresse. In: Pluess, A.R.; Augustin, S.; Brang, P.; Office fédéral de l’environnement OFEV,Berne; Institut fédéral de recherches sur la forêt (eds), 2016: Forêts et changements climatiques. Éléments pour des stratégies d'adaptation. Berne, Stuttgart, Vienne, Haupt. 41-61.
Walthert, L.; Bridler, L.; Keller, A.; Lussi, M.; Grob, U., 2016: Harmonisierung von Bodendaten im Projekt Predictive mapping of soil properties for the evaluation of soil functions at regional scale (PMSoil) des Nationalen Forschungsprogramms Boden (NFP68). Anhang zum Schlussbericht von PMSoil. 54 p.
Walthert, l.; Scherler, M.; Stähli, M.; Huber, M.; Baltensweiler, A.; Ramirez-Lopez, L.; Papritz, A., 2015: Böden und Wasserhaushalt von Wäldern und Waldstandorten der Schweizunter heutigem und zukünftigem Klima (BOWA-CH).. 118 p.
Waldner, P.; Graf Pannatier, E.; Thimonier, A.; Schmitt, M.; Walthert, L., 2007: Nitrogen cycle of selected Swiss ICP-Forest level II plots. In: Eichhorn, J. (eds), 2007: Symposium: Forests in a Changing Environment - Results of 20 years ICP Forests Monitoring. Proceedings. Symposium: Forests in a Changing Environment - Results of 20 years ICP Forests Monitoring, Göttingen. 73-74.
Von Wyl, B.; Brang, P.; Hug, U.; Kaufmann, G.; Sauter, R.; Städeli, M.; Stocker, R.; Walthert, L.; Wohlgemuth, T., 2006: Chancen und Grenzen des Kahlschlags. Schweizerische Zeitschrift für Forstwesen, 157, 10: 492-494.
Zimmermann, S.; Luster, J.; Blaser, P.; Walthert, L.; Lüscher, P., 2006: Waldböden der Schweiz. Band 3. Regionen Mittelland und Voralpen. Birmensdorf; Bern, Eidgenössische Forschungsanstalt WSL; Hep Verlag. 847 p.
Luster, J.; Zimmermann, S.; Lüscher, P.; Walthert, L.; Zwicky, C.; Lienemann, P.; Blaser, P., 2006: Tiefenverteilung von Chrom, Nickel, Kupfer, Zink und Blei in Schweizer Waldböden und Implikationen für die Mobilität dieser Schwermetalle. In: 2006: Stofftransport in Böden und Gewässern. 31-34.
Blaser, P.; Zimmermann, S.; Luster, J.; Walthert, L.; Lüscher, P., 2005: Waldböden der Schweiz. Band 2. Regionen Alpen und Alpensüdseite. Birmensdorf; Bern, Eidgenössische Forschungsanstalt WSL; Hep Verlag. 920 p.
Zimmermann, S.; Hagedorn, F.; Walthert, L., 2004: Erfassung des Kohlenstoffvorrats in Schweizer Waldböden: Wunschdenken und Realität. In: 2004: Wie viele Bodendaten braucht der Mensch?. 11-16.
Walthert, L.; Zimmermann, S.; Blaser, P.; Luster, J.; Lüscher, P., 2004: Waldböden der Schweiz. Band 1. Grundlagen und Region Jura. Birmensdorf; Bern, Eidgenössische Forschungsanstalt WSL; Hep Verlag. 768 p.
Walthert, L.; Blaser, P.; Lüscher, P.; Luster, J.; Zimmermann, S., 2003: Langfristige Waldökosystem-Forschung LWF in der Schweiz. Kernprojekt Bodenmatrix. Ergebnisse der ersten Erhebung 1994–1999. Birmensdorf, Eidgenössische Forschungsanstalt WSL. 340 p. doi: 10.3929/ethz-a-004500705
Walthert, L.; Lüscher, P.; Luster, J.; Peter, B., 2002: Langfristige Waldökosystem-Forschung LWF. Kernprojekt Bodenmatrix. Aufnahmeanleitung zur ersten Erhebung 1994–1999. Birmensdorf, Eidgenössische Forschungsanstalt WSL. 56 p. doi: 10.3929/ethz-a-004375470
Rigling, D.; Blauenstein, H.; Walthert, L.; Rigling, A.; Kull, P.; Schwyzer, A.; Heiniger, U., 1998: Rhizomorph producing Armillaria species in Norway spruce stands in Switzerland. In: Delatour, C.; Guillaumi, C.C.; Lung-Escarmant, B.; Marçais, B. (eds), 1998: Root and butt rots of forest trees. 9th International Conference on Root and Butt Rots, Carcans-Maubuisson, France. 259-265.
Blaser, P.; Lüscher, P.; Rigling, A.; Walthert, L.; Zimmermann, S.; Zysset, M., 1995: Bodenschutzrelevante Untersuchungen an der WSL. In: 1995: Physikalischer Bodenschutz. 99-104.
Innes, J.L.; Böhm, J.P.; Bucher, J.B.; Dobbertin, M.; Jansen, E.; Kull, P.; Rigling, A.; Walthert, L.; Zimmermann, S., 1994: Sanasilva-Bericht 1993. Der Zustand des Schweizer Waldes. Berichte der Eidg. Forschungsanstalt für Wald, Schnee und Landschaft, 339. 60 p.
Lüscher, P.; Rigling, A.; Walthert, L.; Zimmermann, S., 1994: Waldschadeninventur 1993. Bodenkundliche Erhebungen. In: 1994: Bodenleben. 69-75.
Magazine article and brochures
Gosheva, S.; Hagedorn, F.; Gimmi, U.; Walthert, L.; Zimmermann, S., 2014: Waldgeschichte und Kohlenstoff im Boden - auf der Suche nach möglichen Zusammenhängen. GeoPanorama, 18-20.
Von Wyl, B.; Brang, P.; Hug, U.; Kaufmann, G.; Sauter, R.; Städeli, M.; Stocker, R.; Walthert, L.; Wohlgemuth, T., 2006: Zur Revision des Waldgesetzes. Begrenztes Potential für den Kahlschlag im Schweizer Wald. Wald und Holz, 87, 12: 37-39.
Luster, J.; Zimmermann, S.; Frey, B.; Brunner, I.; Lüscher, P.; Walthert, L.; Blaser, P., 2005: Schwermetalle in Schweizer Waldböden. Informationsblatt Wald, 21: 3-4.
Dobbertin, M.; Graf Pannatier, E.; Schmitt, M.; Thimonier, A.; Walthert, L., 2001: Langfristige Waldökosystemforschung in Graubünden. Bündnerwald, 54, 2: 68-70.
Lüscher, P.; Rigling, A.; Walthert, L., 1995: Bodenkundliche Erhebungen im Bereich der Dauerzaunflächen in der Val Trupchun 1994. Cratschla, 3, 2: 59-61.
Downloads
Ecological indicator values
of 192 common plant species in Swiss forests. More detailed information for about 670 forest plant species are available on: www.wsl.ch/zeigerwerte
Links
- Waldböden der Schweiz (a publication in 3 volumes, in German, book order)
- Ecological indicator values of Swiss forest plants (dynamic web site, 670 plant species, in German)
- Monitoring of soil matrix on 16 Swiss LWF-plots (Level II plots, in German):
Manual (PDF)
Results (PDF)
Data (XLS)