A5075972443- Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics
- Soil Geostatistics and Mapping
- Climate change impacts on agriculture
- Crop Yield and Soil Fertility
- Soil and Water Nutrient Dynamics
- Forest ecology and management
- Geochemistry and Geologic Mapping
- Photovoltaic Systems and Sustainability
- Agroforestry and silvopastoral systems
- Rangeland Management and Livestock Ecology
- Soil and Unsaturated Flow
- Energy and Environment Impacts
- Microbial Community Ecology and Physiology
- Atmospheric and Environmental Gas Dynamics
- Forest Biomass Utilization and Management
- Plant Water Relations and Carbon Dynamics
- Bioenergy crop production and management
- Forest Management and Policy
- Soil erosion and sediment transport
- Sustainability and Climate Change Governance
- Agronomic Practices and Intercropping Systems
- Social Acceptance of Renewable Energy
- Tree Root and Stability Studies
- Peatlands and Wetlands Ecology
- Climate change and permafrost
ETH Zurich
2022-2025
Board of the Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology
2024
University of Hohenheim
2015-2023
Instituto de Ciencias Agrarias
2019
Abstract Despite the large body of research surrounding crop growth parameters, there is still a lack systematic assessments on how harvestable yields different types respond to varying levels shading. However, with advent agrivoltaic systems, technology that combines energy and food production, shade tolerance cropping systems becoming increasingly important. To address this gap, meta-analysis data from two experimental approaches (intercropping artificial shading cloths, nets or solar...
Abstract. The concept of soil organic carbon (SOC) saturation emerged a bit more than 2 decades ago as our mechanistic understanding SOC stabilization increased. Recently, the further testing across wide range types and environments has led some people to challenge fundamentals C saturation. Here, we argue that, test this concept, one should pay attention six fundamental principles or “rights” (R's): right measures, units, dispersive energy application, type, clay level. Once take care those...
Abstract. In sub-Saharan Africa, maize is one of the most important staple crops, but long-term cropping with low external inputs has been associated loss soil fertility. While adding high-quality organic resources combined mineral fertilizer proposed to counteract this fertility loss, effectiveness and interactions site properties still require more understanding. This study used repeated measurements over time assess effect different quantities qualities resource addition nitrogen (N) on...
Abstract Agroforestry can offer carbon sequestration, higher system productivity and biodiversity. However, a limited number of field experiments exist to study their feasibility trade-offs for large scale deployment. Agroecosystem models could represent valuable tool ex ante assessment. Here, we present ZonalCent, novel approach use the DayCent model simulate multi-component agroforestry systems by splitting them into several independent zones, simulating each zone individually. We used six...
Crop productivity in sub-Saharan Africa cannot be substantially improved without simultaneously addressing short-term crop nutrient demand and long-term soil fertility. Integrated fertility management tackles both by the combined application of mineral fertilizers organic resource inputs but few studies examined its' effectiveness. To address this knowledge gap, study analysed maize yield trends four (31–37 cropping seasons) field experiments Kenya with contrasting textures under different...
Abstract. We present a comprehensive, high-quality dataset characterizing soil–vegetation and land surface processes from continuous measurements conducted in two climatically contrasting study regions southwestern Germany: the warmer drier Kraichgau region with mean temperature of 9.7 ∘C annual precipitation 890 mm cooler wetter Swabian Alb 7.5 1042 mm. In each region, were over time period nine cropping seasons 2009 to 2018. The backbone investigation was formed by six eddy-covariance (EC)...
Abstract. Soil organic matter (SOM) turnover models predict changes in SOM due to management and environmental factors. Their initialization remains challenging as partitioning of into different hypothetical pools is intrinsically linked model assumptions. Diffuse reflectance mid-infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) provides information on quality could yield a measurable pool-partitioning proxy for SOM. This study tested DRIFTS-derived pool using the Daisy model. The DRIFTS...
Abstract. The concept of soil organic carbon (SOC) saturation emerged a bit more than 2 decades ago as our mechanistic understanding SOC stabilization increased. Recently, the further testing across wide range types and environments has led some people to challenge fundamentals C saturation. Here, we argue that test concept, one should pay attention 6 fundamental principles or rights (R’s): right measures, units, fractionation method, type, mineralogy, level. Once take care those studies,...
Abstract Land-based mitigation technologies and practices (LMTs) are critical for achieving the Paris Agreement’s aim of avoiding dangerous climate change by limiting rise in average global surface temperatures. We developed a detailed two-level classification analysis barriers to adoption scaling up LMTs. The review suggests that afforestation/reforestation forest management LMTs with wide application high potential across all continents. BECCS (bioenergy carbon capture storage) biochar...
Afforestation of degraded areas was suggested as CO2 sink, contributing to climate change mitigation. Yet, few studies have assessed this sink by combining measurements on carbon (C) in the biomass and soil, despite it being crucial properly estimate mitigation potential. Here, we combined C stocks afforestation plots different ages former cropland a Cambisol landscape Extremadura, Spain. The were afforested with two native tree species (Quercus ilex L. Quercus suber density ratio 3:1),...
Abstract. Maintaining soil organic matter (SOM) is crucial for healthy and productive agricultural soils requires understanding at the process level, including role of SOM protection by aggregates connection between microbial growth aggregate formation. We developed Soil Aggregation through Microbial Mediation (SAMM) model, to represent this important connection. The pools SAMM are fully measurable, we calibrated evaluated it against data from a long-term bare fallow experiment in tropical...
Long-term experiments (LTEs) are critical for evaluating strategies that can maintain or increase crop yields, soil fertility and organic carbon (SOC), help adapt to climate change. Yet, scientific knowledge is advancing research questions evolving. Therefore, it important review the objectives of LTEs over time. A change in their design may be necessary keep experimental treatments scientifically interesting, innovative, relevant context evolving agricultural challenges. Here, we describe...
Abstract. Sustainable intensification schemes such as integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) are a proposed strategy to close yield gaps, increase fertility, and achieve food security in sub-Saharan Africa. Biogeochemical models DayCent can assess their potential at larger scales, but these need be calibrated new environments rigorously tested for accuracy. Here, we present Bayesian calibration of DayCent, using data from four long-term field experiments Kenya leave-one-site-out...
Abstract. In light of the large role that soil organic matter (SOM) plays in maintaining healthy and productive agricultural soils, it is crucial to understand processes SOM protection including aggregate protection. Yet, few numerical process models include formation even fewer represent important connection between microbial growth formation. Here, we propose a model Soil Aggregation through Microbial Mediation (SAMM), which consist measurable pools 5 couples growth. The was evaluated...
This article presents the first bottom-up assessment of economics and adoption potential agrivoltaics (AV) using national farm accountancy data in Germany. We use a recently developed framework for economic dual land-use systems to estimate AV electricity supply curve. The estimation accounts economies-of-scale, regional variation solar radiation farm-specific agronomic effects. Our results demonstrate that investments costs are key determinants. Agronomic from crop shading land losses have...
Abstract. We present a comprehensive, high-quality dataset characterising soil-vegetation and land-surface processes from continuous measurements conducted in two climatically contrasting study regions South West Germany: the warmer drier Kraichgau region with mean temperature of 9.7 °C annual precipitation 890 mm, cooler wetter Swabian Alp 7.5 1042 mm. In each region, were over time period nine cropping seasons 2009 to 2018. The backbone investigation was formed by six eddy-covariance...
Abstract Soil aggregates store most soil organic carbon (SOC), but how does litter quality influence their formation? We hypothesized varying to facilitate differences in aggregate formation by altering the seasonal development of microbial biomass (MB) C and N, with MB driving a tropical sandy Thailand. Aggregate was studied long-term fallow experiment, receiving 10 Mg ha −1 annual applications rice ( Oryza sativa ) straw (low N polyphenols (PP)), groundnut Arachis hypogaea stover (high low...
Contrasting yield responses at varying levels of shade suggest different suitability crops for dual land-use systems. A meta-analysis. Abstract Despite the large body research studying crop growth parameters, there is still a lack systematic assessments on how harvestable yields types respond to shading. However, with advent agrivoltaic (AV) systems, technology that combines energy and food production, new focus agroforestry (AF), tolerance becoming an important parameter production To...