Christoph Emmerling

Christoph Emmerling is an apl. Professor (Extraordinary Professor) in the Department of Soil Science at the University of Trier, Faculty of Spatial and Environmental Sciences. He has been a scientific staff member at the University of Trier since 1989, teaching courses in General Soil Science, Agricultural Soil Use, Plant Nutrition, Soil Biology and Soil Ecology. His academic contributions include serving as Chairman of Commission III (Soil Biology) of the German Soil Science Society from 2001-2005, and as a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of IBLA and the Editorial Advisory Board of Global Change Biology - Bioenergy.

Professor Emmerling's research spans several key areas of soil science and sustainable agriculture:

• Land use change impacts on biodiversity, gene exchange, material cycles, and material balances
• Evaluation of soil ecosystem services
• Energy crops and alternative perennial crops, focusing on biochemical methane potential and quality of fermentation residues
• Functional and structural diversity of soil organisms (microorganisms, enzymes, earthworms), including spatial and temporal variability

His recent publications (2022-2025) demonstrate a strong focus on perennial cropping systems and their impacts on soil health. A significant portion of his work examines Silphium perfoliatum (cup plant) as an alternative energy crop for marginal lands, investigating its effects on greenhouse gas emissions, biomass production, and soil properties. Another major research thread explores the impacts of underground transmission lines on soil temperature, moisture, and microbial activity. His work consistently highlights the importance of earthworm communities and soil biodiversity as indicators of soil health in both annual and perennial agricultural systems.

Professor Emmerling has been actively involved in teaching courses including Advanced Methods in Environmental Soil Science, Applied Soil Biology, Biology and Ecology of Soil Organisms, and the Soil Science Colloquium. His research has been supported through various collaborations with institutions across Europe, focusing on sustainable agricultural practices that enhance soil quality while producing biomass for energy production.