Johann Zaller

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Johann Zaller is an Associate Professor at the Department of Zoology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU Wien). His research focuses on agroecology, biodiversity conservation, ecotoxicology, and the impacts of agricultural practices on ecosystems. He leads the AG Zaller working group, which investigates pesticide contamination, soil health, and light pollution effects on organisms like earthworms and pollinators.

Zaller's work emphasizes sustainable farming practices and citizen science initiatives, such as the AmphiBiom project for amphibian conservation. He has authored over 100 publications, including the influential book Daily Poison: Pesticides – an Underestimated Danger. His research has been featured in international media, and he advises on EU policy regarding pesticide reduction and biodiversity protection.

Key achievements include:

• Identification of widespread pesticide contamination in Alpine ecosystems and urban areas
• Development of soil biodiversity monitoring frameworks (e.g., MINOTAUR project)
• Advocacy for reduced pesticide use through evidence-based policy recommendations

He collaborates with global institutions and has received awards such as the Otto Greither Sonderpreis (2022) for the Pestizidatlas 2022.