Charlotte Alster

Dr. Charlotte Alster is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Soil & Physical Sciences at Lincoln University, New Zealand, specializing in soil microbial ecology and biogeochemistry with a focus on climate change impacts.

Her educational background includes:

• PhD in Ecology from Colorado State University, Fort Collins, United States
• BA in Geology from Carleton College, Northfield, United States

As a soil microbial ecologist and biogeochemist, Dr. Alster investigates how soil microbes respond to climate change and its implications for nutrient cycling, greenhouse gas emissions, and plant productivity. Through conceptual, mathematical, and experimental approaches, her work links soil microbial genomics to ecosystem function. She has made significant contributions to understanding temperature dynamics in soil systems, with research spanning microbial ecology, soil biology, carbon sequestration science, and enzyme functionality.

Dr. Alster's publication record demonstrates a strong focus on thermal adaptation of soil microbes and their responses to environmental stressors. Her research frequently examines how temperature changes affect microbial communities and ecosystem multifunctionality, with publications in high-impact journals including Nature Communications, Trends in Ecology and Evolution, and Global Change Biology.

At Lincoln University, Dr. Alster teaches courses including Advanced Climate Change and Land Use (ENSC 601), Climate Change and Land Use (ENSC 301), Soil Science II (SOSC 222), and Water on Land: Quality and Quantity (WATR 202). She has supervised graduate research on topics such as 'Microbial responses to regenerative and conventional farming practices in dryland pasture systems,' demonstrating her commitment to applied research in agricultural contexts.

Her work aligns with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 13 (Climate Action) and 15 (Life on Land), reflecting her dedication to addressing critical environmental challenges through scientific research.