em. Prof. Dr. Ranka Junge

em. Prof. Dr. Ranka Junge

ZHAW School of Life Sciences and Facility Management
Institute of Natural Resource Sciences
Grüentalstrasse 14
8820 Wädenswil

+41 (0) 58 934 59 22

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

ORCID digital identifier

ORCID ID: 0000-0002-6612-4263

Projects

Publications

Articles in scientific journal, peer-reviewed

Bühler, D. et al. (2025) 'Onsite greywater reuse in a low-tech solar-driven pilot laundry facility : field insights on performance, self-sufficiency, and user acceptance', Water Reuse, 15(3), pp. 591–608. doi: 10.2166/wrd.2025.068.
Bühler, D. et al. (2025) 'Off-grid rainwater and greywater treatment and reuse on household level : conceptual approach and pilot operation at the KREIS-Haus demonstration case, Switzerland', Water Reuse, 15(2), pp. 178–197. doi: 10.2166/wrd.2025.104.
Bühler, D., Vischer, T. and Junge, R. (2025) 'A circular design concept for implementing sustainable building practices in the KREIS-Haus living lab, Switzerland', Buildings, 15(3), p. 409. doi: 10.3390/buildings15030409.
Megyesi, B. et al. (2024) 'Perceptions of stakeholders on nature-based solutions in urban planning : a thematic analysis in six European cities', Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 96(128344). doi: 10.1016/j.ufug.2024.128344.
Junge, R., Schmautz, Z. and Milliken, S. (2024) 'Toward nutrient cycling from organic waste streams for soilless cultivation', Current Opinion in Food Science, 61(101257). doi: 10.1016/j.cofs.2024.101257.
Castellar, J. A. C. et al. (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). doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120385.
Gartmann, F. et al. (2023) 'Bioponics – an organic closed-loop soilless cultivation system : yields and characteristics compared to hydroponics and soil cultivation', Agronomy, 13(6), p. 1436. doi: 10.3390/agronomy13061436.
Bruni, L. et al. (2023) 'The effect of nutrient source and beneficial bacteria on growth of Pythium-exposed lettuce at high salt stress', Water, 15(11), p. 2109. doi: 10.3390/w15112109.
Turnšek, M. et al. (2022) 'Home gardening and food security concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic', Horticulturae, 8(9), p. 778. doi: 10.3390/horticulturae8090778.
Schmautz, Z. et al. (2022) 'Microbial diversity across compartments in an aquaponic system and its connection to the nitrogen cycle', Science of the Total Environment, 852(158426). doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158426.
Langergraber, G. et al. (2021) 'Towards a cross-sectoral view of nature-based solutions for enabling circular cities', Water, 13(17), p. 2352. doi: 10.3390/w13172352.
Baganz, G. F. M. et al. (2021) 'The aquaponic principle : it is all about coupling', Reviews in Aquaculture, 14(1), pp. 252–264. doi: 10.1111/raq.12596.
Canet-Martí, A. et al. (2021) 'Nature-based solutions for agriculture in circular cities : challenges, gaps, and opportunities', Water, 13(18), p. 2565. doi: 10.3390/w13182565.
Bühler, D. et al. (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. doi: 10.1007/s43615-021-00077-2.
Dale, G. et al. (2021) 'Education in ecological engineering : a need whose time has come', Circular Economy and Sustainability, 1(1), pp. 333–373. doi: 10.1007/s43615-021-00067-4.
Schönborn, A. and Junge, R. (2021) 'Redefining ecological engineering in the context of circular economy and sustainable development', Circular Economy and Sustainability, 1(1), pp. 375–394. doi: 10.1007/s43615-021-00023-2.
Milliken, S. et al. (2021) 'Aqu@teach : the first aquaponics curriculum to be developed specifically for university students', Horticulturae, 7(2), p. 18. doi: 10.3390/horticulturae7020018.
Schmautz, Z. et al. (2021) 'Nitrogen transformations across compartments of an aquaponic system', Aquacultural Engineering, 92(102145). doi: 10.1016/j.aquaeng.2021.102145.
Schmautz, Z. et al. (2021) 'Environmental parameters and microbial community profiles as indication towards microbial activities and diversity in aquaponic system compartments', BMC Microbiology, 21(12). doi: 10.1186/s12866-020-02075-0.
Skar, S. L. G. et al. (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. doi: 10.2166/bgs.2019.931.
Turnsek, M. et al. (2020) 'Challenges of commercial aquaponics in Europe : beyond the hype', Water, 12(1), p. 306. doi: 10.3390/w12010306.
Eck, M. et al. (2019) 'Exploring bacterial communities in aquaponic systems', Water, 11(2), p. 260. doi: 10.3390/w11020260.
König, B. et al. (2018) 'Analysis of aquaponics as an emerging technological innovation system', Journal of Cleaner Production, 180, pp. 232–243. doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.01.037.
Nicoletto, C. et al. (2018) 'Babyleaf NFT production and water management in aquaponic system', Acta Horticulturae, pp. 159–164. doi: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2018.1215.30.
Hoevenaars, K. et al. (2018) 'EU policies : new opportunities for aquaponics', Ecocycles, 4(1), pp. 10–15. doi: 10.19040/ecocycles.v4i1.87.
Komives, T. and Junge, R. (2018) 'Importance of nickel as a micronutrient in aquaponic systems : some theoretical considerations', Ecocycles, 4(2), pp. 7–9. doi: 10.19040/ecocycles.v4i2.99.
Nicoletto, C. et al. (2018) 'Extension of aquaponic water use for NFT baby-leaf production : mizuna and rocket salad', Agronomy, 8(5), p. 75. doi: 10.3390/agronomy8050075.
Maucieri, C. et al. (2018) 'Hydroponic systems and water management in aquaponics : a review', Italian Journal of Agronomy, 13(1/1012). doi: 10.4081/ija.2018.1012.
Nozzi, V. et al. (2018) 'Nutrient management in aquaponics : comparison of three approaches for cultivating lettuce, mint and mushroom herb', Agronomy, 8(3), p. 27. doi: 10.3390/agronomy8030027.
Maucieri, C. et al. (2018) 'Life cycle assessment of a micro aquaponic system for educational purposes built using recovered material', Journal of Cleaner Production, 172, pp. 3119–3127. doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.11.097.
Koller, C. et al. (2017) 'Energy toolbox : framework for the development of a tool for the primary design of zero emission buildings in european and asian cities', Sustainability, 9(12). doi: 10.3390/su9122244.
Bittsanszky, A. et al. (2017) 'Building a database of plant protecting agents for aquaponic systems : basic concepts', International Journal of Environmental Quality, 26, pp. 9–12. doi: 10.6092/issn.2281-4485/7255.
Maucieri, C. et al. (2017) 'Vegetable intercropping in a small-scale aquaponic system', Agronomy, 7(4), p. 63. doi: 10.3390/agronomy7040063.
Schmautz, Z. et al. (2017) 'Microbial diversity in different compartments of an aquaponics system', Archives of Microbiology, 199(4), pp. 613–620. doi: 10.1007/s00203-016-1334-1.
Junge, R. et al. (2017) 'Strategic points in aquaponics', Water, 9(3), p. 182. doi: 10.3390/w9030182.
Sirakov, I. N. et al. (2016) 'Potential for combined biocontrol activity against fungal fish and plant pathogens by bacterial isolates from a model aquaponic system', Water, 8(11). doi: 10.3390/w8110518.
Bühler, D. and Junge, R. (2016) 'Global trends and current status of commercial urban rooftop farming', Sustainability, 8(11), p. 1108. doi: 10.3390/su8111108.
König, B. et al. (2016) 'On the sustainability of aquaponics', Ecocycles, 2(1), pp. 26–32. doi: 10.19040/ecocycles.v2i1.50.
Villarroel, M. et al. (2016) 'Survey of aquaponics in europe', Water, 8(10). doi: 10.3390/w8100468.
Bittsánszky, A. et al. (2016) 'Nutrient supply of plants in aquaponic systems', Ecocycles, 2(2), pp. 17–20. doi: 10.19040/ecocycles.v2i2.57.
Goddek, S. et al. (2016) 'The effect of anaerobic and aerobic fish sludge supernatant on hydroponic lettuce', Agronomy, 6(2). doi: 10.3390/agronomy6020037.
Schmautz, Z. et al. (2016) 'Tomato productivity and quality in aquaponics : comparison of three hydroponic methods', Water, 8(11). doi: 10.3390/w8110533.
Pietsch-Schmied, C. and Junge, R. (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. doi: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2016.06.004.
Pietsch-Schmied, C., Junge, R. and Burkhardt-Holm, P. (2015) 'Immunomodulation by zearalenone in carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)', BioMed Research International, 2015(420702). doi: 10.1155/2015/420702.
Joly, A., Junge, R. and Bardocz, T. (2015) 'Aquaponics business in Europe : some legal obstacles and solutions', Ecocycles, 1(2), pp. 3–5. doi: 10.19040/ecocycles.v1i2.30.
Komives, T. and Junge, R. (2015) 'On the aquaponic corner section of our journal : editorial', Ecocycles, 1(2), pp. 1–2. doi: 10.19040/ecocycles.v1i2.31.
Pietsch-Schmied, C. et al. (2015) 'Effects of dietary exposure to zearalenone (ZEN) on carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)', Toxins, 7(9), pp. 3465–3480. doi: 10.3390/toxins7093465.
Escala, M. et al. (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. doi: 10.1021/ef3015266.
Escala, M. et al. (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 at: http://www.dpi-journals.com/index.php/JRST/article/view/1941.
Graber, A., Skvarc, R. and Junge, R. (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. doi: 10.2166/wst.2009.728.
Graber, A. and Junge, R. (2009) 'Aquaponic systems : nutrient recycling from fish wastewater by vegetable production', Desalination, 246(1-3), pp. 147–156. doi: 10.1016/j.desal.2008.03.048.
Junge, R. and Graber, A. (2004) 'Wastewater treatment in the urban environment', Acta Horticulturae, 643, pp. 249–255. doi: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2004.643.32.
Staudenmann, J. and Junge, R. (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. doi: 10.1300/J028v13n01_04.

Book chapters, peer-reviewed

Pineda-Martos, R. et al. (2024) 'Implementing nature-based solutions for a circular urban built environment', in Bragança, L. et al. (eds) Creating a roadmap towards circularity in the built environment. Cham: Springer, pp. 345–355. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-45980-1_28.
Maucieri, C. et al. (2019) 'Hydroponic technologies', in Goddek, S. et al. (eds) Aquaponics Food Production Systems. Cham: Springer, pp. 77–110. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-15943-6_4.
Junge, R. et al. (2019) 'Aquaponics as an educational tool', in Goddek, S. et al. (eds) Aquaponics Food Production Systems. Cham: Springer, pp. 561–595. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-15943-6_22.
Némethy, S. et al. (2016) 'Protecting plants from pests and diseases in aquaponic systems', in Łabaj, M., Sobczuk, S., and Fabin, A. (eds) Ecological Footprint in Central Europe. Sucha Beskidzka: The University College of Tourism and Ecology Press, pp. 166–179.
Graber, A. and Junge, R. (2008) 'Wastewater-fed aquaculture Otelfingen, Switzerland : influence of system design and operation parameters on the efficiency of nutrient incorporation into plant biomass', in Vymazal, J. (ed.) Wastewater treatment, plant dynamics and management in constructed and natural wetlands. Dordrecht: Springer, pp. 299–310.

Written conference contributions, peer-reviewed

Bühler, D. et al. (2025) 'Off-grid water treatment and reuse of rain- and greywater on household level : pilot operation at the example of KREIS-Haus, Switzerland', in 14th IWA International Conference on Water Reclamation & Reuse, Cape Town, South Africa, 16-19 March 2025.
Bühler, D. et al. (2024) 'Performance, optimization, socio-economic acceptance, and drivers of a low-tech solar-driven pilot laundry facility (LaundReCycle) in South Africa', in IWA 17th SSWS and 9th ROS. Rio de Janeiro: ABES - Associação Brasileira de Engenharia Sanitária e Ambiental. doi: 10.21256/zhaw-32660.
Bühler, D., Junge, R. and Rousseau, D. (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)', in 6th IWA International Conference on Eco-Technologies for Wastewater Treatment, Girona, Spain, 26-29 June 2023. International Water Association. doi: 10.21256/zhaw-28826.
Antenen, N., Mežek, K. and Junge, R. (2021) 'A green wall system for laundry greywater treatment', in Kralj-Iglič, V. (ed.) Socratic lectures : Peer Reviewed Proceedings. University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Health Sciences. doi: 10.21256/zhaw-22143.
Bühler, D., Schuetze, T. and Junge, R. (2015) 'Towards development of a label for zero emission buildings : a tool to evaluate potential zero emission buildings', in Rosen, M. A. (ed.) Sustainability. MDPI, pp. 5071–5093. doi: 10.3390/su7055071.
Bühler, D., Junge, R. and Schütze, T. (2014) 'Towards development of a label for zero emission buildings : a tool to evaluate potential zero emission buildings', in Proceedings of the 4th world sustainability forum. MDPI. doi: 10.3390/wsf-4-a001.
Junge, R., Bächtiger, J.-B. and 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.

Other publications

Bühler, D. et al. (2020) Local Water Loop : Vorstudie für einen energie- und wasserautarken Waschmaschinenbetrieb. Wädenswil: ZHAW Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften. doi: 10.21256/zhaw-28824.
Junge, R. et al. (2020) Aquaponics textbook for higher education. Zenodo. doi: 10.5281/zenodo.3948179.
Bavec, M. et al. (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.
Gartmann, F., Schmautz, Z. and Junge, R. (2019) 'Influence of pH change on the phosphorus cycle in aquaponics', in 9th International Phosphorus Workshop (IPW9), Zurich, 8-12 July 2019. ZHAW Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften. doi: 10.21256/zhaw-18461.
Bühler, D. and Junge, R. (2018) Ein Technologiekonzept für multi-funktionale Fassaden. Wädenswil: ZHAW Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften. doi: 10.21256/zhaw-27655.
Schmautz, Z. and Junge, R. (2015) 'Acvaponia în lume : aquaponic systems around the world', Revistă Română de Acvaponie, 1(1), pp. 12–15.
Graber, A., Antenen, N. and Junge, R. (2014) 'The multifunctional aquaponic system at ZHAW used as research and training lab', in Maček, M. A., Maček Jerala, M., and Kolenc Artiček, M. (eds) Prenos inovacij, znanja in izkušenj v vsakdanjo rabo : zbornik izvlečkov = transmission of innovations, knowledge and practical experience into everyday practice : book of abstracts. Strahinj: Biotehniški center Naklo, pp. 245–255. doi: 10.21256/zhaw-1613.
Junge, R. (2014) 'Transfer of innovation to agricultural sector : example of ZHAW, Institute for Natural Resource Sciences', in Maček, M. A., Maček Jerala, J., and Kolenc Artiček, M. (eds) Prenos inovacij, znanja in izkušenj v vsakdanjo rabo : zbornik izvlečkov / transmission of innovations, knowledge and practical experience into everyday practice : book of abstracts. Strahinj: Biotehniški center Naklo, p. 10.
Podgrajsek, B. et al. (2014) 'Preliminarni monitoring akvaponicnega sistema v biotehniskem centru Naklo', Moje podeželje, 5(9), pp. 10–11. doi: 10.21256/zhaw-4982.
Junge, R., Wilhelm, S. and Hofstetter, U. (2014) 'Aquaponic in classrooms as a tool to promote system thinking', in Maček, M. A., Maček Jerala, M., and Kolenc Artiček, M. (eds) Prenos inovacij, znanja in izkušenj v vsakdanjo rabo = transmission of innovations, knowledge and practical experience into everyday practice. Strahinj: Biotehniški center Naklo, pp. 234–244. doi: 10.21256/zhaw-4300.
Junge, R. and Graber, A. (2014) The potential of aquaponics for food production in the cities of the future. Ljubljana: University of Ljubljana.
Hagen Hodgson, P. and Junge, R. (2013) 'Null-Energie-Null-Emissions-Häuser in Südkorea : fünf Pilotprojekte aus der Metropolregion Seoul', IUNR intern, 2013(1), pp. 27–29. doi: 10.21256/zhaw-3622.
Graber, A. et al. (2013) 'Potential of algae turf scrubbers (ATS™) for elimination of phosphorus from swimming ponds', in Borin, M. et al. (eds) Wetland Systems Ecology, Functioning and Management. Padova: P.A.N., pp. 29–30. doi: 10.21256/zhaw-1612.
Graber, A., Schönborn, A. and Junge, R. (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. doi: 10.21256/zhaw-1619.
Somprasert, S., Junge, R. and Kantawanichkul, S. (2007) 'Effect of plant harvesting on nitrogen removal in constructed wetland systems', in Proceedings of the International Conference on Engineering and Environment - ICEE 2007. ICEE, pp. 80–83.
Graber, A. and Junge, R. (2005) 'Forschungsprojekt Algenrasenfilter', Umwelt Perspektiven, 2005, pp. 43–47.
Junge, R. and Bächtiger, J.-B. (2003) 'The first international conference on urban horticulture', Chronica Horticulturae, 43(1), pp. 24–26.
Junge, R. (2001) 'Possibilities and limits of wastewater-fed aquacultures', in Werner, C. (ed.) Ecosan – closing the loop in wastewater management and sanitation : Proceedings of the International Symposium, 30–31 October 2000, Bonn, Germany. Eschborn: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit, pp. 113–122.
Junge, R. and Graber, A. (2001) 'Naturnah klären', Baubiologie Magazin, 3, pp. 27–30.
Staudenmann, J. and Junge, R. (2000) 'Treating biogas plant effluent through aquaculture : first results and experiences from the pilot plant Otelfingen (Switzerland)', in Jana, B. B. et al. (eds) Waste recycling and resource management in the developing world : ecological engineering approach. Kalyani: University of Kalyani, pp. 51–57.
Graber, A., Junge, R. and Mathis, A. (2000) 'Aquakultur Otelfingen : eine biologische Kläranlage zur Produktion von Biomasse', Der Gemüsebau, 7(7), pp. 4–5.

Oral conference contributions and abstracts

Bühler, D. et al. (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 at: https://closedcycles2020.ch.
Graber, A. et al. (2014) 'UF001 LokDepot, Basel : the first commercial rooftop aquaponic farm in Switzerland', in 2014 International Conference on Vertical Farming and Urban Agriculture VFUA 2014, Nottingham, UK, 9-10 September 2014.
Junge, R. et al. (2014) 'Aquaponics in classrooms as a tool to promote system thinking', in 2nd SCIENTIX Conference, Brussels, Belgium, 24-26 October 2014.
Junge, R., Mathis, A. and Graber, A. (2014) 'Building integrated food production', in 1st Symposium on Green Infrastructure for Future City & 4th International Symposium ZEBISTIS: Zero Emission Building - Integrating Sustainable Technologies and Infrastructure Systems, Seoul, Korea, 8 April 2014.
Junge, R. (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.
Junge, R. (2013) 'Development of aquaponic technology in Switzerland', in 1st International Symposium - Zero Emission Buildings, Seoul, South Korea, 15 January 2013.

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