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Markus Steffens

Affiliation / Function

Activity areas

  • Climate and agriculture
  • Soil science with special focus on soil organic matter
  • IR-spectroscopy and imaging techniques

Projects

StatusFiBLTitleStartEnd
ongoing CHEU A pilot network of organic farming actors contributing to the uptake of climate farming and its co-benefits for a carbon neutral and climate resilient Europe (OrganicClimateNET) 01.02.2024 31.01.2028
ongoing CH Linking soil biodiversity and ecosystem functions and services in different land uses: from the identi­fication of drivers, pressures and climate change resilience to their economic valuation (BIOservicES) 01.09.2023 31.08.2028
ongoing CH Monetary valuation of soil ecosystem services and creation of initiatives to invest in soil health (InBestSoil) 01.01.2023 31.12.2026
ongoing CH A European-wide network of pilot farmers implementing and demonstrating climate smart solutions for a carbon neutral Europe (Climate Farm Demo) 01.10.2022 30.09.2029
ongoing CH Recycling palm oil production residues by composting (Côte d'Ivoire Compost huile de palme) 01.09.2022 28.02.2025
ongoing CH Climate friendly organic palm and coconut oil production in the tropics 01.09.2022 31.12.2025
ongoing CH Climate protection through humus formation 01.02.2022 31.12.2027
ongoing CH Organic conservation agriculture: weed management and soil quality (Adventisol) 01.01.2022 31.12.2025
ongoing CH Climate Neutral Farms (ClieNFarms) 01.01.2022 31.12.2025
ongoing CH Markets and Seeds Access Project for Small Grains and Legumes in Zambia and Zimbabwe (MASAP) 01.12.2021 30.11.2033
ongoing CH Black goes green: Influence of biochar on soil water balance and chemical soil quality 01.09.2021 31.08.2025
ongoing CH Developing biological soil quality indicators as affected by biochar amendment (BGG-BB) 01.09.2021 31.12.2025
completed CH Swiss spade test – Standardised working basics for agricultural practice and soil protection (Spatenprobe) 01.07.2021 01.07.2024
ongoing CH Climate-neutral agriculture in Graubünden 01.01.2021 31.12.2024
ongoing CH Synergistic use and protection of natural resources for rural livelihoods through systematic integration of crops, shrubs and livestock in the Sahel (SustainSAHEL) 01.09.2020 01.09.2025
completed CH C-sequestration in soils: potentials and limits to quantify, requirements for incentive programs and proof of their effectiveness (Postulat Bourgeois Q4) 01.07.2020 30.04.2021
completed CH Postulat Bourgeois: “Soil carbon sequestration in Switzerland: analysis of potentials and measures” 01.06.2020 31.12.2021
ongoing CH Black goes green - Long-term on-farm trial on the climate impact of biochar in agriculture (Black goes green) 01.02.2020 31.12.2027
completed CH Pilotprojekt 3V - Bodenindikatoren 01.01.2020 31.12.2022
completed CH Bodenqualitätsindikatoren BQI-CH Perspektivmethode Infrarot-Spektroskopie 01.11.2019 01.02.2021
completed CH Konzeption und Umsetzung des Klimafolgen-Bodenmonitoring-Verbunds für die Themen Bodenbiologie und organische Bodensubstanz (Verbund20: Klimafolgen-Bodenmonitoring) 14.10.2019 31.12.2020
completed CH Optimizing Bio-based Fertilisers in Agriculture – Knowledgebase for New Policies (LEX4BIO) 01.06.2019 31.05.2024
completed CH Dynamics of carbon sequestration and stabilisation in a long-term agricultural trial (DynaCarb) 01.01.2019 31.12.2022
completed CH Soil quality indicators: Applied soil quality concepts and how they are useful to reach sustainable development goals 01.08.2018 15.12.2018
completed CH SOCORT – Kohlenstoffsequestrierung durch reduzierte Bodenbearbeitung im Biolandbau (SOCORT/SOCORT2) 01.10.2017 31.12.2019
completed CH Nitrogen use efficiency in arable and vegetable production for reducing nitrate leaching losses to groundwater (NitroGäu) 01.04.2017 30.11.2021
completed CH Treibhausgasbilanz: Treibhausgas-Emissionen aus landwirtschaftlichen Böden in der Schweiz 01.12.2016 30.11.2017

Training / professional career

  • Since 2017 Group lead Climate at FiBL Switzerland
  • 2009 - 2017 Assistant professor Chair of Soil Science, Technical University of Munich
  • 2004 - 2009 Research associate, Chair of Soil Science, Technical University of Munich (PhD)
  • 1998 - 2004 Applied Environmental Sciences, Trier University (Diploma)

Teaching

  • University of  Bern (since 2019): Allgemeine Bodenkunde II, Proseminar Bodenkunde, Seminar in Soil Science, Excursions Soil Science
  • Technische Universität München (2008 - 2021): Field assessment of soil quality

Awards

  • 2014: Outstanding Young Scientist Award of the Soil System Sciences Division of the European Geosciences Union EGU
  • 2010: Award of the Max Schönleutner Gesellschaft Weihenstephan e.V. for the best PhD-thesis in Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences at the Technische

Publications

Publications in the Organic Eprints archive

Publications that are not in the Organic Eprints archive

Journals with peer-review

2022

  • Krause, H.-M., Stehle, B., Mayer, J., Steffens, M., Mäder, P.J., Fliessbach, A. (2022): Biological soil quality and soil organic carbon change in biodynamic, organic and conventional farming systems after 42 years. Agronomy for Sustainable Development
  • Wetterlind, J., Viscarra Rossel, R.A. and Steffens, M. (2022) Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy characterises the functional chemistry of soil organic carbon in agricultural soils. European Journal of Soil Science. Accepted Author Manuscript e13263. https://doi.org/10.1111/ejss.13263
  • Mayer, M., Krause, H.-M., Fliessbach, A., Mäder, P., Steffens, M. (2022): Fertilizer quality and labile soil organic matter fractions are vital for organic carbon sequestration in temperate arable soils within a long-term trial in Switzerland. Geoderma 426: 116080. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2022.116080
  • Krauss, M., Wiesmeier, M., Don, A., Cuperus, F., Gattinger, A., Gruber, S., Haagsma, W.K., Peigné, J., Chiodelli Palazzoli, M., Schulz, F., van der Heijden, M.G.A., Vincent-Caboud, L., Wittwer, R.A., Zikeli, S., Steffens, M. (2022): Reduced tillage in organic farming slightly increases soil organic carbon stocks across nine European long-term trials in temperate Europe. Soil and Tillage Research 216: 105262. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2021.105262

2021

  • Pihlap, Evelin; Steffens, Markus und Kögel-Knabner, Ingrid (2021) Initial soil aggregate formation and stabilisation in soils developed from calcareous loess. Geoderma, 385, S. 114854.
  • Steffens, Markus; Zeh, Lilli; Rogge, Derek M. und Buddenbaum, Henning (2021) Quantitative mapping and spectroscopic characterization of particulate organic matter fractions in soil profiles with imaging VisNIR spectroscopy. Scientific reports, 11, S. 16725.
  • Vidal, Alix; Klöffel, Tobias; Guigue, Julien; Angst, Gerrit; Steffens, Markus; Hoeschen, Carmen und Mueller, Carsten W. (2021) Visualizing the transfer of organic matter from decaying plant residues to soil mineral surfaces controlled by microorganisms. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 160, S. 108347.

2020

  • Lucas M, Pihlap E, Steffens M, Vetterlein D and Kögel-Knabner I (2020) Combination of Imaging Infrared Spectroscopy and X-ray Computed Microtomography for the Investigation of Bio- and Physicochemical Processes in Structured Soils. Front. Environ. Sci. 8:42. doi: 10.3389/fenvs.2020.00042
  • Wiesmeier, M., Mayer, S., Paul, C., Helming, K., Don, A., Franko, U., Steffens, M., Kögel-Knabner, I. (2020). CO2-Zertifikate für die Festlegung atmosphärischen Kohlenstoffs in Böden: Methoden, Maßnahmen und Grenzen. BonaRes Series. DOI: 10.20387/bonares-f8t8-xz4h

2019

  • Leifeld, Jens; Müller, Adrian and Steffens, Markus (2019) Critères de certification pour les puits de carbone dans les sols agricoles. Recherche Agronomique Suisse, 2019, 10 (9), pp. 346-349
  • Leifeld, Jens; Müller, Adrian and Steffens, Markus (2019) Kriterien für die Zertifizierung von Kohlenstoffsenken in Landwirtschaftsböden. [Criteria for the Certification of Carbon Sinks in Agricultural Soil.] Agrarforschung Schweiz, 2019, 10 (9), pp. 346-349
  • Müller, Carsten W.; Steffens, Markus and Buddenbaum, Henning (2019) Permafrost soil complexity evaluated by laboratory imaging Vis‐NIR spectroscopy. European Journal of Soil Science, online, x-x
  • Pihlap, E., Vuko, M., Lucas, M., Steffens, M., Schloter, M., Vetterlein, D., Endenich, M., Kögel-Knabner, I. (2019): Initial soil formation in an agriculturally reclaimed open-cast mining area - the role of management and loess parent material. Soil and Tillage Research 191: 224-237; IF: 3.824

2018

  • Hobley, E., Steffens, M., Bauke, S.L., Kögel-Knabner, I. (2018): Hotspots of soil organic carbon storage revealed by laboratory hyperspectral imaging. Scientific reports 8: 1-13.
  • Mayer, Stefanie; Schwindt, Daniel; Steffens, Markus; Völkel, Jörg und Kögel-Knabner, Ingrid (2018): Drivers of organic carbon allocation in a temperate slope-floodplain catena under agricultural use. Geoderma, 327, S. 63-72.
  • Müller, Adrian; Steffens, Markus; Krause, Hans-Martin; Bautze, Lin; Meier, Matthias und Stöckli, Sibylle (2018): What can organic farming contribute? Rural21, 51 (4), S. 20-22.
  • Rennert, Thilo; Höschen, Carmen; Rogge, Derek und Steffens, Markus (2018): Small‐scale distribution of copper in a Technosol horizon studied by nano‐scale secondary ion mass spectrometry. Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry, 32 (11), S. 851-861.

2017

  • Leifeld, J., Alewell, C., Bader, C., Krüger, J.P., Müller, C.W., Sommer, M., Steffens, M., Szidat, S. (2017): Pyrogenic carbon contributes substantially to carbon storage in intact and degraded northern peatlands. Land degradation and development, DOI: 10.1002/ldr.2812; IF: 8.145
  • Lehtinen, T., Lair, G.J., van Leeuwen, J.P., Gísladóttir, G., Bloem, J., Ragnarsdóttir, K.V., Steffens, M., Blum, W.E.H. (2017): Soil aggregation and soil organic matter in conventionally and organically farmed Austrian Chernozems. Die Bodenkultur 68: 41-55; IF: 0.18
  • Mueller, C.W., Hoeschen, C., Steffens, M., Buddenbaum, H., Hinkel, K., Bockheim, J.G., Kao-Kniffin, J. (2017): Microscale soil structures foster organic matter stabilization in permafrost soils. Geoderma, 293: 44-53; IF: 4.036
  • Näthe, Kerstin; Delphis, F. Levia; Steffens, Markus und Michalzik, Beate (2017): Solid-state 13C NMR characterization of surface fire effects on the composition of organic matter in both soil and soil solution from a coniferous forest. Geoderma, 305, S. 394-406.
  • Steffens, Markus; Rogge, Derek M.; Mueller, Carsten W.; Höschen, Carmen; Lugmeier, Johann; Kölbl, Angelika und Kögel-Knabner, Ingrid (2017): Identification of Distinct Functional Microstructural Domains Controlling C Storage in Soil. Environmental Sciences & Technologiy, 51 (21), S. 12182-12189.

2016

  • Burud, I., Moni, C., Flo, A., Futsaether, C., Steffens, M., Rasse, D.P. (2016): Qualitative and quantitative mapping of biochar in a soil profile using hyperspectral imaging. Soil and Tillage Research 155: 523-531; IF: 2.622
  • Hoffmann, C., Giese, M., Dickhoefer, U., Wan, H., Bai, Y., Steffens, M., Liu, C., Butterbach-Bahl, K., Han, X. (2016): Effects of grazing and climate variability on grassland ecosystem functions in Inner Mongolia: Synthesis of a 6-year grazing experiment. Journal of Arid Environments 135: 50-63; IF: 1.641
  • Mouazen, A.M., Steffens, M., Borisover, M. (2016): Reflectance and fluorescence spectroscopy in soil science – Current and future research and developments. Soil and Tillage Research 155: 448-449; IF: 2.622
  • Zak, D.R., Freedman, Z.B., Upchurch, R., Steffens, M., Kögel-Knabner, I. (2016): Anthropogenic N deposition increases soil organic matter accumulation without altering its biochemical composition. Global Change Biology 23(2): 933-944; IF: 8.502

2015

  • Schreiner, S., Buddenbaum, H., Emmerling, C., Steffens, M. (2015): Vis/NIR/SWIR Laboratory imaging spectroscopy for wall-to-wall mapping of elemental concentrations in soil cores. Photogrammetrie, Fernerkundung, Geoinformation 2015/6: 423-435; IF: 0.733
  • Christophel, D., Höllerl, S., Prietzel, J., Steffens, M. (2015): Long-term development of soil organic carbon and nitrogen stocks after shelterwood- and clear-cutting in a mountain forest in the Bavarian Limestone Alps. European Journal of Forest Research 134: 623-640; IF: 2.095
  • Lehtinen, T., Gísladóttir, G., Lair, G.J., van Leeuwen, J.P., Blum, W.E.H., Bloem, J., Steffens, M., Ragnarsdótt, K.V. (2015): Aggregation and organic matter in subarctic Andosols under different grassland management. Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica, Section B — Soil & Plant Science 65(3): 246-263; IF: 0.646
  • Wiesmeier, M., Munro, S., Barthold, F., Steffens, M., Schad, P., Kögel-Knabner, I. (2015): Carbon storage capacity of semi-arid grassland soils and sequestration potentials in Northern China. Global Change Biology 21(10): 3836-3845; IF: 8.502

2014

  • Regan, K.M., Nunan, N., Boeddinghaus, R.S., Baumgartner, V., Berner, D., Boch, S., Oelmann, Y., Overmann, J., Prati, D., Schloter, M., Schmitt, B., Sorkau, E., Steffens, M., Kandeler, E., Marhan, S. (2014): Seasonal controls on grassland microbial biogeography: are they governed by plants, abiotic properties or both? Soil Biology and Biochemistry 71: 21-30; IF: 3.932
  • Rennert, T., Händel, M., Höschen, C., Lugmeier, J., Steffens, M., Totsche, K.U. (2014): A NanoSIMS study on the distribution of soil organic matter, Fe and Mn in a nodule from a Stagnosol. European Journal of Soil Science 65(5): 684-692; IF: 2.649
  • Steffens, M., Kohlpaintner, M., Buddenbaum, H. (2014): Fine spatial resolution mapping of soil organic matter quality in a Histosol profile. European Journal of Soil Science 65(6): 827-839; IF: 2.649

2013

  • Baumann, K., Sanaullah, M., Chabbi, A., Dignac, M.-F., Bardoux, G., Steffens, M., Kögel-Knabner, I., Rumpel, C. (2013): Changes of litter chemistry and soil lignin signature during decomposition and stabilisation of 13C labelled wheat roots in three soil horizons. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 67: 55-61; IF: 3.932
  • Baumann, K., Dignac, M.-F., Rumpel, C., Bardoux, G., Sarr, A., Steffens, M., Maron, P.-A. (2013): Soil microbial diversity affects soil organic matter decomposition in a silty grassland soil. Biogeochemistry 114(1-3): 201-212; IF: 3.488
  • Giese, M., Brueck, H., Gao, Y.Z., Lin, S., Steffens, M., Kögel-Knabner, I., Glindemann, T., Susenbeth, A., Taube, F., Butterbach-Bahl, K., Hoffmann, C., Bai, Y.F., Han, X.G. (2013): N balance and cycle of Inner Mongolia typical steppe: a comprehensive case study of grazing effects. Ecological monographs 83(2): 195-219; IF: 7.107
  • Neculman, R., Rumpel, C., Matusa, F., Godoy, R., Steffens, M., de la Luz Mora, M. (2013): Organic matter stabilisation in two Andisols of contrasting age under temperate rain forest. Biology and Fertility of Soils 49(6): 681-689; IF: 3.398
  • O’Toole, A., Knoth de Zarruk, K., Steffens, M., Rasse, D.P. (2013): Characterization, stability, and plant effects of kiln-produced wheat straw biochar. Journal of Environmental Quality 42(2): 429-436; IF: 2.652
  • Steffens, M., Buddenbaum, H. (2013): Laboratory imaging spectroscopy of a stagnic Luvisol profile - High resolution soil characterisation, classification and mapping of elemental concentrations. Geoderma 195-196: 122-132; IF: 4.036

2012

  • Buddenbaum, H., Steffens, M. (2012): The effects of spectral pretreatments on chemometric analyses of soil profiles using laboratory imaging spectroscopy. Applied and Environmental Soil Science, DOI 10.1155/2012/274903
  • Buddenbaum, H., Steffens, M. (2012): Mapping the distribution of chemical properties in soil profiles using laboratory imaging spectroscopy, SVM and PLS regression. EARSeL eProceedings 11(1): 25-32
  • Dümig, A., Häusler, W., Steffens, M., Kögel-Knabner, I. (2012): Clay fractions from a soil chronosequence after glacier retreat reveal the initial evolution of organo–mineral associations. Geochimica and Cosmochimica Acta 85: 1-18; IF: 4.331
  • Leifeld, J., Steffens, M., Galego-Sala, A. (2012): Sensitivity of peatland carbon loss to organic matter quality. Geophysical Research Letters 39; IF: 4.196
  • Wiesmeier, M., Steffens, M., Mueller, C.W., Kölbl, A., Reskowska, A., Peth, S., Horn, R., Kögel-Knabner, I. (2012): Aggregate stability and physical protection of soil organic carbon in semi-arid steppe soils. European Journal of Soil Science 63: 22-31; IF: 2.649
  • Wiesmeier, M., Kreyling, O., Steffens, M., Schoenbach, P., Wan, H., Gierus, M., Taube, F., Kölbl, A., Kögel-Knabner, I. (2012): Short-term degradation of semiarid grasslands—results from a controlled-grazing experiment in Northern China. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science, 175(3): 434-442; IF: 1.459
  • Wu, H., Wiesmeier, M., Yu, Q., Steffens, M., Han, X., Kögel-Knabner, I. (2012): Labile organic C and N mineralization of soil aggregate size classes in semiarid grasslands as affected by grazing management. Biology and Fertility of soils 48(3): 305-313; IF: 3.398

2011

  • Buddenbaum, H., Steffens, M. (2011): Laboratory Imaging Spectroscopy of Soil Profiles. Journal of Spectral Imaging, DOI: 10.1255/jsi.2011.a2
  • Kölbl, A., Steffens, M., Wiesmeier, M., Hoffmann, C., Funk, R., Krümmelbein, J., Zhao, Y., Peth, S., Horn, R., Giese, M., Kögel-Knabner, I. (2011): Grazing-induced changes of topsoil properties and their interaction on different spatial scales in a semiarid grassland ecosystem in Inner Mongolia, P.R. China. Plant and Soil 340(1-2): 35-58; IF: 2.952
  • Leopold, M., Völkel, J., Dethier, D., Huber, J., Steffens, M. (2011): Characteristics of a paleosol and its implication for the Critical Zone development, Rocky Mountain Front Range of Colorado, USA. Applied Geochemistry 26(Supplement): S72-S75; IF: 2.268
  • Schneider, K., Leopold, U., Gerschlauer, F., Barthold, F., Giese, M., Steffens, M., Hoffmann, C., Frede, H.-G., Breuer, L. (2011): Spatial and temporal variation of soil moisture in dependence of multiple environmental parameters in semi-arid grasslands. Plant and soil 340(1-2): 73-88; IF: 2.952
  • Steffens, M., Kölbl, A., Schörk, E., Gschrey, B., Kögel-Knabner, I. (2011): Distribution of soil organic matter in fractions and aggregate size classes in grazed semiarid steppe soils. Plant and soil 338(1-2): 63-81; IF: 2.952

2009

  • Abe, S. S, Mueller, C. W., Steffens, M., Kölbl, A., Knicker, H., Kögel-Knabner, I. (2009): Effects of land-use change on chemical composition of soil organic matter in tropical lowland Bolivia. Grassland Science 55: 104-109; IF: 0.627
  • Steffens, M., Kölbl A., Kögel-Knabner I. (2009): Alteration of soil organic matter pools and aggregation in semiarid steppe topsoils as driven by OM input. European Journal of Soil Science 60(2): 198-212; IF: 2.649
  • Steffens, M., Kölbl, A., Giese, M., Hoffmann, C., Totsche, K.U., Breuer, L., Kögel-Knabner, I. (2009): Spatial variability of topsoils and vegetation in a grazed steppe ecosystem in Inner Mongolia (P.R. China). Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science 172(1): 78-90; IF: 1.459
  • Wiesmeier, M., Steffens, M., Kölbl, A., Kögel-Knabner, I. (2009): Degradation and small-scale spatial homogenization of topsoils in intensively grazed steppes of Northern China. Soil and Tillage Research 104: 299-310; IF: 2.622

2005 - 2008

  • Steffens, M., Kölbl, A., Totsche, K.U., Kögel-Knabner, I. (2008): Grazing effects on soil chemical and physical properties in a semiarid steppe of Inner Mongolia (P.R. China). Geoderma 143(1-2): 63-72; IF: 4.036 2007
  • Zhao, Y., Peth, S., Krümmelbein, J., Horn, R., Wang, Z., Steffens, M., Hoffmann, C., Peng, X. (2007): Spatial variability of soil properties affected by grazing intensity in Inner Mongolia grassland. Ecological Modelling 205: 241-254; IF: 2.321
  • Hertweck, G., Wehrmann, A., Liebezeit, G., Steffens, M. (2005): Ichnofabric zonation in modern tidal flats: palaeoenvironmental and palaeotrophic implications. Senckenbergiana maritima (now Marine Biodiversity)35(2): 189-201; IF: 1.104
  • Wolters, A., Steffens, M. (2005): Photodegradation of Antibiotics on Soil Surfaces: Laboratory Studies on Sulfadiazine in an Ozone-Controlled Environment. Environmental Science & Technology 39(16): 6071-6078; IF: 5.330

Journals without peer-review

Book chapters

  • Muller, A., Meier, M., Steffens, M., Gattinger, A., Schader, C., 2018, Measuring and improving the environmental impact of organic farming, in: Köpke, U., Improving organic crop cultivation. Cambridge, UK: Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited