em. Prof. Dr. Ranka Junge

Work at ZHAW

Focus

• Nature Based Solutions in urban environment
• Frontier Agriculture Technologies (Aquaponic, Aquaculture, Hydroponic, Bioponic)

Experience

• em. Professor
  ZHAW, Institute of Natural Resource Sciences (IUNR)
  03 / 2022 - today
• Professor ZFH, Head Centre Ecological Engineering, Deputy Director IUNR
  Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Life Sciences and Facility Management, Institute of Natural Resource Sciences (IUNR), Wädenswil,
  01 / 2007 - 02 / 2022
• Dozent
  University of Applied Sciences Waedenswil (HSW/ZFH)
  01 / 2000 - 12 / 2006
• Senior Scientist
  University of applied sciences Wädenswil
  03 / 1997 - 12 / 1999
• Research Assistant
  University Basel, Nature and Landscape Conservation and Environmental Protection
  09 / 1996 - 12 / 1999
• Postdoctoral researcher
  University Basel, Zoological Institute
  01 / 1993 - 03 / 1996

Network

Membership of networks

• IEES International Ecological Engineering Society
• ISHS International Society for Horticultural Science
• AVF Association for Vertical Farming
• CA21134 - Towards zer0 Pesticide AGRIculture : European Network for sustainability (T0P-AGRI-Network)
• CA20138 - Network on Water-Energy-Food Nexus for a low-carbon economy in Europe and beyond, MC member
• COST Action CA17133, Implementing nature based solutions for creating a resourceful circular city, STSM Coordinator, Management Committee Member
• COST Action FA1305, The EU Aquaponics Hub - Realising Sustainable Integrated Fish and Vegetable Production for the EU, Management Committee Member

ORCID digital identifier

ORCID ID: 0000-0002-6612-4263

Projects

• INtegrated and Circular Technologies for Sustainable city region FOOD systems in Africa / Team member / ongoing
• Development of a prototype of low-tech, space efficient soilless cultivation (aquaponics) for refugee camps in Jordan / Team member / completed
• Introducing Aquaponic in VET: Tools, Teaching Units and Teacher Training / Project leader / completed

Publications

• Bühler, Devi; Vischer, Tabea; Junge, Ranka,

  2025.

  A circular design concept for implementing sustainable building practices in the KREIS-Haus living lab, Switzerland.

  Buildings.

  15(3), pp. 409.

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15030409

• Bühler, Devi; Barmettler, Regina; Junge, Ranka; Bozzola, Martina; Rousseau, Diederik P.L.,

  2025.

  Onsite greywater reuse in a low-tech solar-driven pilot laundry facility : field insights on performance, self-sufficiency, and user acceptance.

  Water Reuse.

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.2166/wrd.2025.068

• Junge, Ranka; Schmautz, Zala; Milliken, Sarah,

  2024.

  Toward nutrient cycling from organic waste streams for soilless cultivation.

  Current Opinion in Food Science.

  61(101257).

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cofs.2024.101257

• Castellar, Joana A.C.; Popartan, Lucia Alexandra; Pucher, Bernhard; Pineda-Martos, Rocío; Hecht, Katharina; Katsou, Evina; Nika, Chrysanthi Elisabeth; Junge, Ranka; Langergraber, Günter; Atanasova, Nataša; Comas, Joaquim; Monclús, Hèctor; Pueyo-Ros, Josep,

  2024.

  What does it take to renature cities? : an expert-based analysis of barriers and strategies for the implementation of nature-based solutions.

  Journal of Environmental Management.

  354(120385).

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120385

• Megyesi, Boldizsár; Gholipour, Amir; Cuomo, Federico; Canga, Eriona; Tsatsou, Alexandra; Zihlmann, Violeta; Junge, Ranka; Milosevic, Dragan; Pineda-Martos, Rocío,

  2024.

  Perceptions of stakeholders on nature-based solutions in urban planning : a thematic analysis in six European cities.

  Urban Forestry & Urban Greening.

  96(128344).

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2024.128344

• Bruni, Leonardo; Junge, Ranka; Gartmann, Florentina; Parisi, Giuliana; Schmautz, Zala,

  2023.

  The effect of nutrient source and beneficial bacteria on growth of Pythium-exposed lettuce at high salt stress.

  Water.

  15(11), pp. 2109.

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.3390/w15112109

• Gartmann, Florentina; Hügly, Julian; Krähenbühl, Nikita; Brinkmann, Nadine; Schmautz, Zala; Smits, Theo H. M.; Junge, Ranka,

  2023.

  Bioponics – an organic closed-loop soilless cultivation system : yields and characteristics compared to hydroponics and soil cultivation.

  Agronomy.

  13(6), pp. 1436.

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13061436

• Schmautz, Zala; Walser, Jean-Claude; Espinal, Carlos A.; Gartmann, Florentina; Scott, Benjamin; Pothier, Joël F.; Frossard, Emmanuel; Junge, Ranka; Smits, Theo H. M.,

  2022.

  Microbial diversity across compartments in an aquaponic system and its connection to the nitrogen cycle.

  Science of the Total Environment.

  852(158426).

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158426

• Bühler, Devi; Antenen, Nadine; Frei, Matthias; Koller, Christoph; Rousseau, Diederik P. L.; Schönborn, Andreas; Junge, Ranka,

  2021.

  Towards water and energy self-sufficiency : a closed-loop, solar-driven, low-tech laundry pilot facility (LaundReCycle) for the reuse of laundry wastewater.

  Circular Economy and Sustainability.

  1(3), pp. 1037-1051.

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/s43615-021-00077-2

• Canet-Martí, Alba; Pineda-Martos, Rocío; Junge, Ranka; Bohn, Katrin; Paço, Teresa A.; Delgado, Cecilia; Alenčikienė, Gitana; Skar, Siv Lene Gangenes; Baganz, Gösta F. M.,

  2021.

  Nature-based solutions for agriculture in circular cities : challenges, gaps, and opportunities.

  Water.

  13(18), pp. 2565.

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.3390/w13182565

• Turnsek, Maja; Joly, Agnes; Thorarinsdottir, Ragnheidur; Junge, Ranka,

  2020.

  Challenges of commercial aquaponics in Europe : beyond the hype.

  Water.

  12(1), pp. 306.

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.3390/w12010306

• Skar, S. L. G.; Pineda-Martos, R.; Timpe, A.; Pölling, B.; Bohn, K.; Külvik, M.; Delgado, C.; Pedras, C. M.G.; Paço, T. A.; Ćujić, M.; Tzortzakis, N.; Chrysargyris, A.; Peticila, A.; Alencikiene, G.; Monsees, H.; Junge, Ranka,

  2020.

  Urban agriculture as a keystone contribution towards securing sustainable and healthy development for cities in the future.

  Blue-Green Systems.

  2(1), pp. 1-27.

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.2166/bgs.2019.931

• Komives, Tamas; Junge, Ranka,

  2018.

  Importance of nickel as a micronutrient in aquaponic systems : some theoretical considerations.

  Ecocycles.

  4(2), pp. 7-9.

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.19040/ecocycles.v4i2.99

• Maucieri, Carmelo; Forchino, Andrea A.; Nicoletto, Carlo; Junge, Ranka; Pastres, Roberto; Sambo, Paolo; Borin, Maurizio,

  2018.

  Life cycle assessment of a micro aquaponic system for educational purposes built using recovered material.

  Journal of Cleaner Production.

  172, pp. 3119-3127.

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.11.097

• Junge, Ranka; König, Bettina; Villarroel, Morris; Komives, Tamas; Jijakli, M.,

  2017.

  Strategic points in aquaponics.

  Water.

  9(3), pp. 182.

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.3390/w9030182

• Pietsch-Schmied, Constanze; Junge, Ranka,

  2016.

  Physiological responses of carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) to dietary exposure to zearalenone (ZEN).

  Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology - Part C: Toxicology & Pharmacology.

  188, pp. 52-59.

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpc.2016.06.004

• Villarroel, Morris; Junge, Ranka; Komives, Tamas; König, Bettina; Plaza, Ignacio; Bittsánszky, András; Joly, Agnès,

  2016.

  Survey of aquaponics in europe.

  Water.

  8(10).

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.3390/w8100468

• Schmautz, Zala; Loeu, Fionna; Liebisch, Frank; Graber, Andreas; Mathis, Alex; Griessler Bulc, Tjasa; Junge, Ranka,

  2016.

  Tomato productivity and quality in aquaponics : comparison of three hydroponic methods.

  Water.

  8(11).

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.3390/w8110533

• Pietsch-Schmied, Constanze; Kersten, Susanne; Valenta, Hana; Dänicke, Sven; Schulz, Carsten; Burkhardt-Holm, Patricia; Junge, Ranka,

  2015.

  Effects of dietary exposure to zearalenone (ZEN) on carp (Cyprinus carpio L.).

  Toxins.

  7(9), pp. 3465-3480.

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins7093465

• Pietsch-Schmied, Constanze; Junge, Ranka; Burkhardt-Holm, Patricia,

  2015.

  Immunomodulation by zearalenone in carp (Cyprinus carpio L.).

  BioMed Research International.

  2015(420702).

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/420702

• Komives, Tamas; Junge, Ranka,

  2015.

  On the aquaponic corner section of our journal : editorial.

  Ecocycles.

  1(2), pp. 1-2.

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.19040/ecocycles.v1i2.31

• Escala, Marina; Zumbühl, Thomas; Koller, Christoph; Junge, Ranka; Krebs, Rolf,

  2013.

  Hydrothermal carbonization as an energy-efficient alternative to established drying technologies for sewage sludge : a feasibility study on a laboratory scale.

  Energy & Fuels.

  27(1), pp. 454-460.

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.1021/ef3015266

• Escala, Marina; Graber, Andreas; Junge, Ranka; Koller, Christoph; Guiné, V.; Krebs, Rolf,

  2013.

  Hydrothermal carbonization of organic material with low dry matter content : the example of waste whey.

  Journal of Residuals Science & Technology.

  10(4), pp. 179-186.

  Available from: http://www.dpi-journals.com/index.php/JRST/article/view/1941

• Graber, Andreas; Junge, Ranka,

  2009.

  Aquaponic systems : nutrient recycling from fish wastewater by vegetable production.

  Desalination.

  246(1-3), pp. 147-156.

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2008.03.048

• Graber, Andreas; Skvarc, Robert; Junge, Ranka,

  2009.

  Elimination of phenols, ammonia and cyanide in wash water from biomass gasification, and nitrogen recycling using planted trickling filters.

  Water Science and Technology.

  60(12), pp. 3253-3259.

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2009.728

• Staudenmann, Jürg; Junge, Ranka,

  2003.

  The Otelfingen aquaculture project : recycling of nutrients from waste water in a temperate climate.

  Journal of Applied Aquaculture.

  13(1-2), pp. 67-101.

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.1300/J028v13n01_04

• Junge, Ranka; Griessler Bulc, Tjasa; Anseeuw, Dieter; Yavuczan Yildiz, Hijran; Milliken, Sarah,

  2019.

  Aquaponics as an educational tool.

  In:

  Goddek, S.; Joyce, A.; Kotzen, B.; Burnell, G.M., eds.,

  Aquaponics Food Production Systems.

  Cham:

  Springer.

  pp. 561-595.

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-15943-6_22

• Némethy, Sandor; Bittsanszky, Andras; Schmautz, Zala; Junge, Ranka; Komives, Tamas,

  2016.

  Protecting plants from pests and diseases in aquaponic systems.

  In:

  Łabaj, M.; Sobczuk, S.; Fabin, A., eds.,

  Ecological Footprint in Central Europe.

  Sucha Beskidzka:

  The University College of Tourism and Ecology Press.

  pp. 166-179.

• Graber, Andreas; Junge, Ranka,

  2008.

  Wastewater-fed aquaculture Otelfingen, Switzerland : influence of system design and operation parameters on the efficiency of nutrient incorporation into plant biomass.

  In:

  Vymazal, Jan, ed.,

  Wastewater treatment, plant dynamics and management in constructed and natural wetlands.

  Dordrecht:

  Springer.

  pp. 299-310.

• Bühler, Devi; Junge, Ranka; Rousseau, Diederik,

  2023.

  Towards water self-sufficiency : pilot operation of an off-grid water cycle based on rainwater harvesting and low-tech, biological greywater treatment in an inhabited demonstration house in Switzerland (KREIS-Haus)[paper].

  In:

  6th IWA International Conference on Eco-Technologies for Wastewater Treatment, Girona, Spain, 26-29 June 2023.

  International Water Association.

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-28826

• Bühler, Devi; Schuetze, Thorsten; Junge, Ranka,

  2015.

  Towards development of a label for zero emission buildings : a tool to evaluate potential zero emission buildings[paper].

  In:

  Rosen, Marc A., ed.,

  Special Issue "Towards Sustainability: Selected Papers from the Fourth World Sustainability Forum (2014)".

  The 4th World Sustainability Forum, Electronic Conference at sciforum.net/conference/wsf-4, 1-30 November 2014.

  MDPI.

  pp. 5071-5093.

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.3390/su7055071

• Junge, Ranka; Bächtiger, Jean-Bernard; Simpson, W. J., eds.,

  2004.

  Proceedings of the international conference on urban horticulture.

  International Conference on Urban Horticulture, Wädenswil, 2-6 September 2002.

  Leuven:

  International Society for Horticultural Science.

  Acta Horticulturae ; 643.

  ISBN 978-90-66055-17-9.

• Bavec, Martina; Miličić, Vesna; Junge, Ranka; Turnšek, Maja,

  2020.

  Ali nas je COVID-19 spodbudil k večji osredotočenosti na kupovanje slovenskih prehranskih proizvodov in neposredno od kmetij.

  UMniverzum.

  2020(13), pp. 25-29.

• Bühler, Devi; Antenen, Nadine; Frei, Matthias; Krähenbühl, Nikita; Barmettler, Regina; Schönborn, Andreas; Brändle, Till; Balducci, Andrea; Mezek, Katjuša; Zybach, Christa; Bleuler, Mira; Junge, Ranka,

  2020.

  Local Water Loop : Vorstudie für einen energie- und wasserautarken Waschmaschinenbetrieb.

  Wädenswil:

  ZHAW Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften.

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-28824

• Gartmann, Florentina; Schmautz, Zala; Junge, Ranka,

  2019.

  Influence of pH change on the phosphorus cycle in aquaponics[poster].

  In:

  9th International Phosphorus Workshop (IPW9), Zurich, 8-12 July 2019.

  ZHAW Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften.

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-18461

• Bühler, Devi; Junge, Ranka,

  2018.

  Ein Technologiekonzept für multi-funktionale Fassaden.

  Wädenswil:

  ZHAW Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften.

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-27655

• Schmautz, Zala; Junge, Ranka,

  2015.

  Acvaponia în lume : aquaponic systems around the world.

  Revistă Română de Acvaponie.

  1(1), pp. 12-15.

• Junge, Ranka; Wilhelm, Sandra; Hofstetter, Urs,

  2014.

  Aquaponic in classrooms as a tool to promote system thinking[paper].

  In:

  Maček, Melita Ana; Maček Jerala, Milena; Kolenc Artiček, Majda, eds.,

  Prenos inovacij, znanja in izkušenj v vsakdanjo rabo = transmission of innovations, knowledge and practical experience into everyday practice.

  3rd Conference with International Participation - Conference VIVUS, Conference on Agriculture, Environmentalism, Horticulture, Floristics, Food Production and Processing, Strahinj, Naklo, Slovenia, 14–15 November 2014.

  Strahinj:

  Biotehniški center Naklo.

  pp. 234-244.

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-4300

• Junge, Ranka; Graber, Andreas,

  2014.

  The potential of aquaponics for food production in the cities of the future.

  Ljubljana:

  University of Ljubljana.

• Hagen Hodgson, Petra; Junge, Ranka,

  2013.

  Null-Energie-Null-Emissions-Häuser in Südkorea : fünf Pilotprojekte aus der Metropolregion Seoul.

  IUNR intern.

  2013(1), pp. 27-29.

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-3622

• Graber, Andreas; Leiblein, Thomas; Refardt, Dominik; Junge, Ranka,

  2013.

  Potential of algae turf scrubbers (ATS™) for elimination of phosphorus from swimming ponds[paper].

  In:

  Borin, Maurizio; Malagoli, Mario; Salvato, Michela; Tanis, Benek, eds.,

  Wetland Systems Ecology, Functioning and Management.

  8th Society of Wetland Scientists (SWS) European Chapter International Conference, Padova, Italy, 1-4 September 2013.

  Padova:

  P.A.N..

  pp. 29-30.

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-1612

• Graber, Andreas; Schönborn, Andreas; Junge, Ranka,

  2011.

  Closing water, nutrient and energy cycles within cities by urban farms for fish and vegetable production.

  IWA Specialist Group on Use of Macrophytes in Water Pollution Control: Newsletter.

  2011(37), pp. 37-41.

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-1619

• Graber, Andreas; Junge, Ranka,

  2005.

  Forschungsprojekt Algenrasenfilter.

  Umwelt Perspektiven.

  2005, pp. 43-47.

• Junge, Ranka,

  2001.

  Possibilities and limits of wastewater-fed aquacultures[paper].

  In:

  Werner, Christine, ed.,

  Ecosan – closing the loop in wastewater management and sanitation : Proceedings of the International Symposium, 30–31 October 2000, Bonn, Germany.

  International Symposium Ecological Sanitation: Ecosan - Closing the Loop in Wastewater Management and Sanitation, Bonn, Germany, 30-31 October 2000.

  Eschborn:

  Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit.

  pp. 113-122.

• Bühler, Devi; Antenen, Nadine; Frei, Matthias; Koller, Christoph; Junge, Ranka,

  2020.

  Towards water and energy self-sufficiency : a closed-loop, low-tech laundry pilot facility (LaundReCycle) for the reuse of laundry wastewater.

  In:

  Closed Cycles and the Circular Society : The Power of Ecological Engineering, Online, 2-4 September 2020.

  Available from: https://closedcycles2020.ch

• Junge, Ranka; Wilhelm, Sandra; Hofstetter, Urs; Graber, Andreas,

  2014.

  Aquaponics in classrooms as a tool to promote system thinking.

  In:

  2nd SCIENTIX Conference, Brussels, Belgium, 24-26 October 2014.

• Junge, Ranka,

  2013.

  Integrating aquaponic technology into the cities.

  In:

  3rd International ZEBISTIS Symposium «Theoretical and Practical Concepts for Sustainable Buildings and Interactions», Istanbul, Turkey, 24 October 2013.

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