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wslbiodiversity.bsky.social
WSL-Eawag Biodiversity Center
@wslbiodiversity.bsky.social
1.1K followers 410 following 100 posts
A strategic interdisciplinary inititiative to advanc research and outreach in biodiversity science at WSL and Eawag.
Birmensdorf, Dübendorf and Kastanienbaum - Switzerland
https://biodiversitycenter.wsl.ch/en
Posts Replies Media Videos
Reposted by WSL-Eawag Biodiversity Center
wslresearch.bsky.social
🦫 #Beavers help bats: Where these industrious builders fell trees and dam streams, there are more #bats. New study by WSL and @eawag.bsky.social: www.wsl.ch/en/news/beav... #NatureConservation #DeadWood #Ponds #EnvironmentalProtection #RedList @vmoser.bsky.social @animalecology.bsky.social
Beavers create habitats for bats
A study shows that land animals benefit from beaver dam construction – for example, endangered bats.
www.wsl.ch
November 13, 2025 at 7:28 AM
Reposted by WSL-Eawag Biodiversity Center
vmoser.bsky.social
Beavers boost bats! Beaver ponds had higher bat richness (4→5 spp/night), 1.6× activity, and 2.3× feeding vs. controls. Structural changes (standing deadwood, more heterogeneous canopy) and more prey help explain why:
Journal of Animal Ecology:
besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Habitat heterogeneity and food availability in beaver‐engineered streams foster bat richness, activity and feeding
Beavers reshape ecosystems in ways that benefit bat richness, activity and feeding activity. We linked increased habitat structures (standing deadwood and canopy heterogeneity) and prey abundance to ...
besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
September 25, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Reposted by WSL-Eawag Biodiversity Center
wslresearch.bsky.social
This year, @clarivateag.bsky.social named five researchers based at WSL on their Highly Cited Researchers list: www.wsl.ch/en/news/five... #HighlyCited2025 @yannvit.bsky.social @nezimmermann.bsky.social @arthurobuntspecht.bsky.social
Five WSL researchers are among the most influential in their field in 2025
Katrin Meusburger and Yann Vitasse from WSL are now on the list of the world’s most influential researchers in their field.
www.wsl.ch
November 12, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Reposted by WSL-Eawag Biodiversity Center
wslbiodiversity.bsky.social
Does functional community structure mitigate the impacts of climatic anomalies on productivity in grasslands? In our next seminar, @danielahoss.bsky.social leverages 25 years of global grassland data from the sPlot database to examine this question.
Join us!
biodiversitycenter.wsl.ch/en/events/de...
November 10, 2025 at 8:19 AM
Reposted by WSL-Eawag Biodiversity Center
wslresearch.bsky.social
#PostDoc Alert! PhD in #biology or #EnvironmentalSciences with a background in #microbiology, #genetics or #ecology? Experience with #metabarcoding and #metagenomics🧬? We offer a PostDoc position in #soil #biodiversity: apply.refline.ch/273855/1794/... #bioinformatics #DataAnalysis #ScienceJobs
Job offer: The Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL is part of the ETH Domain. Approximately 600 people work on the sustainable use and protection of the environment and on the handling of natural hazards. The Biodiversity and Conservation Biology research unit, investigates the diversity of life in its various forms, from genetic to the diversity of species and ecosystems as well as their interactions. For 2 years, starting in Spring 2026, the Community Ecology research group is looking for a PostDoc in Soil Biodiversity 80-100% (f/m/d) This position offers an exciting opportunity to participate in an international research project on “Integrating Soil Biodiversity to Ecosystem Services (SOB4ES)”. SOB4ES is a large EU Horizon project testing cost-effectiveness of soil biodiversity indicators and the provision of soil biodiversity-based ecosystem services to build better land management solutions that effectively implement the EU Soil Strategy (www.sob4es.org). In collaboration with international partners, your role in this project will be to explore soil microbial diversity and functions and ecosystem services across European land-use types and biomes. Your will analyse microbial biodiversity and functions datasets, preparing manuscripts, and publishing them in peer-reviewed scientific journals. You will also present the research outputs at local and international conferences and engage with stakeholders. You hold a PhD degree in biology or environmental sciences, with a strong background in microbiology, genetics or ecology. You have experience with bioinformatics (such as running metabarcoding and metagenomic data pipelines) and data analyses (including advanced statistical models) and wish to develop your knowledge and experience in that field. Fluency in English (both oral and writing), ability to supervise junior team members, excellent communication skills and a collaborative mindset are also key to success in this role.
November 10, 2025 at 7:28 AM
wslbiodiversity.bsky.social
christian-rellstab.bsky.social Christian Rellstab @christian-rellstab.bsky.social · 12d
i am offering a post-doc position in my brand-new project TreeGD that will investigate genomic diversity of trees species in switzerland, with a special focus on gene conservation units, rare species (but not only), and seeds stands.

apply.refline.ch/273855/1782/...
Postdoktorand/-in in ökologischer Genomik 80% (w/m/d)
Die Forschungseinheit Biodiversität und Naturschutzbiologie untersucht die Vielfalt des Lebens, von der genetischen Diversität bis zur Arten- und Lebensraumvielfalt sowie ihre Interaktionen. Das für m...
apply.refline.ch
November 10, 2025 at 4:36 PM
wslbiodiversity.bsky.social
📣We're thrilled to launch the WSL-Eawag Biodiversity Center, a joint initiative to foster biodiversity research & outreach at @eawag.bsky.social & @wslresearch.bsky.social.
The Center is all about connecting people, sharing ideas, & building collaborations.
biodiversitycenter.wsl.ch/en/news/wsl-...
WSL and Eawag Join Forces to Launch the WSL-Eawag Biodiversity Center
A joint strategic, interdisciplinary initiative to promote research and outreach in biodiversity science at WSL and Eawag.
biodiversitycenter.wsl.ch
November 10, 2025 at 2:19 PM
wslbiodiversity.bsky.social
Does functional community structure mitigate the impacts of climatic anomalies on productivity in grasslands? In our next seminar, @danielahoss.bsky.social leverages 25 years of global grassland data from the sPlot database to examine this question.
Join us!
biodiversitycenter.wsl.ch/en/events/de...
November 10, 2025 at 8:19 AM
Reposted by WSL-Eawag Biodiversity Center
yannvit.bsky.social
Looking for a motivated PhD student in Tree phenology and Ecophysiology at WSL. The project combines climate chamber experiments with modelling to understand how temperature, light and water availability affect leaf senescence timing. apply.refline.ch/273855/1788/... #TreePhenology #Ecophysiology
PhD candidate in Tree Phenology and Ecophysiology
The Research Unit Forest and Soil Ecology, which investigates how changing environmental conditions affect forest ecosystem functioning, is seeking a candidate to join the Ecosystem Ecology group star...
apply.refline.ch
October 23, 2025 at 6:42 AM
Reposted by WSL-Eawag Biodiversity Center
wslresearch.bsky.social
🌲🪳 Tree mortality caused by insects is on the rise in Europe. Warm, dry regions are the most severely affected. New study in @globalchangebio.bsky.social www.wsl.ch/en/news/tree... #Forests #ClimateChange #Treemortality #Barkbeetles
Tree mortality from insects is rising across Europe
In Europe, more trees are dying from insect infestations. Broadleaves cope better than conifers, as heat and drought worsen the issue.
www.wsl.ch
November 3, 2025 at 9:35 AM
Reposted by WSL-Eawag Biodiversity Center
annekempel.bsky.social
I spend my days studying nature — and still, moments like this take my breath away. Gold larches. Green Swiss stone pine. White snow. Grey rock. Perfect silence...

#Morteratsch Glacier forefield #Switzerland
October 31, 2025 at 10:48 AM
Reposted by WSL-Eawag Biodiversity Center
j-cuartero.bsky.social
Arctic shrub expansion may reshape soil life more than thawing itself. Our 4-year Greenland experiment shows shrub litter boosts microbial growth and C–N cycling genes, enhancing organic matter breakdown and N incorporation into biomass — key for future greenhouse gas dynamics. surl.lt/kusoul
Increased carbon inputs alter soil microbial genetic potential for biogeochemical cycling in Arctic ecosystems - Communications Earth & Environment
Plant litter additions enhance soil microbial functional potentials for carbon and nitrogen cycling in high-Arctic ecosystems, based on a four-year experiment simulating vegetation expansion under cli...
www.nature.com
October 29, 2025 at 6:08 AM
Reposted by WSL-Eawag Biodiversity Center
wslbiodiversity.bsky.social
🌲 How can genomics help forests adapt to climate change?
Join our next seminar, in person or online, with Pär K. Ingvarsson (SLU) on new genomic tools for Norway spruce & their use in breeding and climate adaptation studies of old-growth and planted stands.
biodiversitycenter.wsl.ch/en/events/de...
October 28, 2025 at 9:50 AM
wslbiodiversity.bsky.social
🌲 How can genomics help forests adapt to climate change?
Join our next seminar, in person or online, with Pär K. Ingvarsson (SLU) on new genomic tools for Norway spruce & their use in breeding and climate adaptation studies of old-growth and planted stands.
biodiversitycenter.wsl.ch/en/events/de...
October 28, 2025 at 9:50 AM
Reposted by WSL-Eawag Biodiversity Center
charlottegrossiord.bsky.social
🌿 Join us at #EGU26 for session BG3.37 – Impacts of climatic extremes on plants & ecosystems! 🔥
We welcome studies on heat, drought & variability from leaf to landscape 🌍
Submit your abstract 👉 meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU26/sessio... @kateplantphys.bsky.social @alyssakullberg.bsky.social
Session BG3.37
meetingorganizer.copernicus.org
October 27, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Reposted by WSL-Eawag Biodiversity Center
wslresearch.bsky.social
🍃🌳🍂 #PhDAlert! MSc in #ForestEcology, #PlantPhysiology or #EnvironmentalSciences? Eager to apply a wide range of approaches, from #ecophysiology and experimental fieldwork to #RemoteSensing and modelling🛰️? We offer a #PhD position in Tree #Phenology: apply.refline.ch/273855/1788/... #ScienceJobs
Job offer: The Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL is part of the ETH Domain. Approximately 600 people work on the sustainable use and protection of the environment and on the handling of natural hazards. The Research Unit Forest and Soil Ecology, which investigates how changing environmental conditions affect forest ecosystem functioning, is seeking a candidate to join the Ecosystem Ecology group starting on 1 January 2026 (or upon appointment) as a PhD candidate in Tree Phenology and Ecophysiology You will be working within the SNF funded project “From leaf-out to senescence: integrating daylight and temperature dynamics into phenological process-based models to enhance autumn phenology modelling”. Unlike leaf-out timing, leaf senescence is particularly challenging to predict, partly because many internal factors are involved and remain poorly understood. You will investigate how changing environmental conditions — including variations in temperature, daylight, and water availability — affect leaf senescence, with the goal of improving phenological models. To achieve this, you will combine manipulative experiments, long-term phenological observations, and large-scale remote sensing data. You will also apply both statistical and mechanistic modelling approaches and contribute to publishing results in international scientific journals. You hold a Master’s degree in in forest ecology, ecology, plant physiology, environmental science, or a related field. You are eager to apply a wide range of approaches, from ecophysiology and experimental fieldwork to remote sensing and modelling. You have a good command of English, work in a structured and independent manner, enjoy collaborating within a team and are comfortable using statistical software, preferably R. The workplace will be at WSL in Birmensdorf (approximately 20 minutes outside of Zurich), and the PhD enrolment will be at the University of Bern.
October 22, 2025 at 6:25 AM
wslbiodiversity.bsky.social
After the fall break, we’re back with our seminar series!

Today, Emily Baird will discuss the effects of rising temperatures on insect pollinator sensing, cognition and behavior.

Everyone is welcome, in person or online.
wslbiodiversity.bsky.social WSL-Eawag Biodiversity Center @wslbiodiversity.bsky.social · 28d
🐝🌡️ How do rising temperatures affect pollinators’ senses, behavior, and the ecosystem services they provide? Emily Baird (Stockholm University) will share her lab’s latest research in our next seminar tomorrow (Wed 22 Oct).
Join us in person or online!
biodiversitycenter.wsl.ch/en/events/de...
October 22, 2025 at 6:02 AM
Reposted by WSL-Eawag Biodiversity Center
wslresearch.bsky.social
🍂🌳 #PhDAlert! MSc in #EnvironmentalSciences or a related field and interested in plant #phenology and #ecophysiology? Good level of fitness to carry out field work in remote locations? Our #Ecosystem #Ecology group offers a #PhD position: apply.refline.ch/273855/1789/... #ScienceJobs
Job offer: The Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL is part of the ETH Domain. Approximately 600 people work on the sustainable use and protection of the environment and on the handling of natural hazards. The Forest and Soil Ecology research unit, which investigates the effects of environmental changes in forest ecosystems, is looking for a person to join the Ecosystem Ecology group for a fixed-term period of four years, starting January 2026 or by appointment, as a PhD student in plant phenology and ecophysiology You will be responsible for planning and carrying out experiments in the field and under controlled conditions in the SNF funded project “Linking carbon source-sink dynamics to autumn phenology: Predicting tree growth rhythms in temperature and boreal forests”. You will analyse the interaction between carbon balance and phenology by applying various ecophysiological and biochemical methods and large-scale data analyses. You will carry out statistical and mechanistic modelling approaches. Finally, you will be responsible for publishing results in scientific journals. You have a master’s degree in environmental science, or a comparable topic and are interested in applying various methods, from ecophysiology to model applications. You have a proficient command of written and spoken English, are able to work in a structured, efficient and independent manner, and have a high level of team spirit. Furthermore, you have a good level of fitness to carry out field work in remote locations. We offer an international team with exciting research perspectives and strong collaboration with researchers from ETH and international institutions. The position will be based at WSL and you will be enrolled at ETH Zurich.
October 21, 2025 at 8:56 AM
wslbiodiversity.bsky.social
🐝🌡️ How do rising temperatures affect pollinators’ senses, behavior, and the ecosystem services they provide? Emily Baird (Stockholm University) will share her lab’s latest research in our next seminar tomorrow (Wed 22 Oct).
Join us in person or online!
biodiversitycenter.wsl.ch/en/events/de...
October 21, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Reposted by WSL-Eawag Biodiversity Center
wslresearch.bsky.social
🌿 #PostDoc Alert! PhD in #EnvironmentalSciences? Proficient in #bioinformatic, #EcologicalModelling and good knowledge of trait-based #ecology🦋? Our #ConservationBiology group offers a PostDoc position in biotic and trophic interactions🐜: apply.refline.ch/273855/1769/... #UrbanEcology #ScienceJobs
Job offer: PostDoc in biotic and trophic interactions 90% (f/m/d) As part of the interdisciplinary PAPPUS project, which explores how plant communities and urban green space management support biodiversity and residents' quality of life, you will work with existing data. Your focus will be on analyzing biotic and trophic interactions between plants and arthropods, including predators, herbivores, pollinators, and detritivores. The data were collected from 60 public and private green spaces in Zurich. Your first task will be to analyse metabarcoding data from over 1200 invertebrate samples to generate a species lists. You will then examine the structure of mutualistic and antagonistic multitrophic networks, including food webs, and model their responses to urbanisation, management intensity, and plant preferences among residents. The position offers flexibility to develop your own research ideas within the scope of PAPPUS. You are expected to publish your findings in high-impact journals and present them at international conferences. Engagement with practitioners, especially through presentations and outreach in French, is also an important part of this PostDoc. You have a PhD degree in environmental science or in a related field. You have a good publication record as well as a background in ecological sciences and quantitative analyses. Proficiency in bioinformatic, metabarcoding, multitrophic ecology (food web), and ecological modelling is required, as is good knowledge of trait-based ecology. Practical and interdisciplinary experiences (e.g., with urban engineers) and knowledge of the principles and theories of urban ecology are helpful. You are ambitious, motivated and communicative. You are used to a high standard of independent, structured and you demonstrate a high level of team spirit. Proficiency in English and French, as well as good knowledge in German is required.
October 20, 2025 at 6:29 AM
Reposted by WSL-Eawag Biodiversity Center
annekempel.bsky.social
So happy to see the first BugNet paper published 🥳!
Thanks to all our collaborators, without you this would not have been possible! 👇
October 10, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Reposted by WSL-Eawag Biodiversity Center
wslresearch.bsky.social
🌱 ♻️ #JobAlert! PhD in #EnvironmentalSciences and in-depth knowledge of #SoilScience and biogeochemical cycles? Strong skills in analysing large datasets? Our Research Unit Forest and #SoilEcology offers a #TenureTrack position in #NutrientCycling: apply.refline.ch/273855/1778/... #ScienceJobs
Job offer: The Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL is part of the ETH Domain. Approximately 600 people work on the sustainable use and protection of the environment and on the handling of natural hazards. The Research Unit Forest and Soil Ecology studies the impact of environmental changes on biogeochemical cycles. Within the Long-term Forest Ecosystem Research (LWF) we offer a tenure track position as a Research Scientist in Nutrient Cycling 80% (f/m/d) You will be responsible for monitoring atmospheric deposition and soil solution chemistry across Switzerland. Your scientific responsibilities include the adequate sampling in the field and the analysis of samples in the laboratory. You will coordinate the involved technical staff, maintain the local database and forward the data to the European ICP Forests database. You will actively participate in the ICP Forests Expert Panels "Deposition" and "Soil and Soil Solution". By applying complex modelling, you will evaluate the data regarding the long-term development of nutrient fluxes and cycles. You will successfully acquire third-party funding for add-on studies, e.g. on nutrient dynamics in the rhizosphere or on gas exchange between soil and atmosphere. You hold a Ph.D. degree in environmental sciences with in-depth knowledge of soil science, biogeochemical cycles and analytical-chemical methods. You are efficient in dealing with large amounts of data and have good statistical knowledge as well as experience in modelling biogeochemical processes. Furthermore, you know how to publish your results in international journals and make them accessible to stakeholders in forestry practice, politics and the public. Your skills as a good team player are in demand both in the collaboration with the other scientific staff of the LWF and in the coordination of technical staff. In addition, you possess excellent English skills and a good command of German.
October 6, 2025 at 6:13 AM
Reposted by WSL-Eawag Biodiversity Center
ele-ethwsl.bsky.social
🌍 New publication alert!

In our latest piece in Nature Cities, we highlight how biodiversity modeling can support urban planning by balancing human well-being with nature. This helps cities meet biodiversity targets while ensuring access to healthy ecosystems.

Read the article: buff.ly/zeRBrYh
October 6, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Reposted by WSL-Eawag Biodiversity Center
wslresearch.bsky.social
🌿🪲 #PostDoc Alert! PhD in #Biology or #EnvironmentalSciences? Strong background in plant-herbivore interactions and good knowledge in R programming? We offer a PostDoc position in the fields of #InvasionBiology, #Spectroscopy and #ChemicalEcology: apply.refline.ch/273855/1772/... #ScienceJobs
Job offer: PostDoc in “Invasion Biology, Spectroscopy, Chemical Ecology” 80-100% (f/m/d) You will join the FORSAID initiative which is seeking to establish a novel and comprehensive paradigm for identifying, observing and containing pest proliferations across Europe. As part of FORSAID, your research will focus on the invasive emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis, EAB) which has killed millions of ash trees outside its native range over the past 20 years. Given the advancing threat of the EAB in central Europe, it is crucial to implement effective screening and diagnostic methods. These methods are essential for two main purposes: the early detection of the beetle in European ash populations and the identification of ash trees with increased resistance to the pest. You will use controlled infestation experiments in biosafety greenhouses in combination with some field work to: (i) monitor the leaf spectral and metabolomic responses of ash trees attacked by EAB, (ii) use these response signals to distinguish EAB-induced stress from drought-related symptoms, and (iii) identify tree genotypes with enhanced resistance to EAB. You hold a PhD degree in Biology or Environmental Sciences and have a strong background in multivariate statistical analyses, chemical ecology, plant-herbivore interactions and experimental planning. Furthermore, we expect good knowledge in R programming, a good command of English, as well as strong skills in scientific paper writing. FORSAID encourages close collaborations among different European research groups. As such it is essential that you enjoy interacting with scientists of an interdisciplinary team and presenting your data to an international audience.
September 25, 2025 at 6:37 AM
Reposted by WSL-Eawag Biodiversity Center
slfdavos.bsky.social
How do #alpine plants respond to #climatechange? Researchers from the #SLF are using warming chambers to investigate the long-term effects of rising temperatures. This is part of #ITEX, a global network for researching tundra and alpine vegetation.
www.slf.ch/en/news/plan...
Plant laboratory 2,480 metres above sea level
How the SLF is investigating the long-term effects of global warming on Alpine flora.
www.slf.ch
October 1, 2025 at 11:47 AM