Gottfried Mandlburger, opens an external URL in a new window was appointed University Professor of Optical Bathymetry on 01.04.2024. His research focuses on water depth determination from multispectral images, multi-media photogrammetry and laser bathymetry. The field of bathymetry - the 3D mapping of the water floor and the reconstruction of objects in the water - is currently of increasing economic and ecological importance in the context of climate change. The most important topics include flood simulation, hazard zone planning, coastal protection, monitoring of hydro-morphological processes and habitat modeling for fauna and flora.

Gottfried Mandlburger has been conducting research in the field of optical bathymetry since his dissertation in 2006, with a focus on Alpine watercourses. A near-natural section of the Pielach in Lower Austria is one of his main study areas. The now 10-year time series with laser scanning and image data enables research on sensors and subject-specific data processing as well as the integration of the results into models of neighboring disciplines such as hydrology and hydraulics.

Current research projects focus on the simultaneous recording of dynamic water surface and static water bottom from stereo photogrammetry and the 3D mapping and classification of underwater vegetation. The spread of partly invasive submerged macrophytes, which can currently be observed in practically all alpine lakes, is an indicator of ongoing climate change. Precise recording and monitoring is therefore of economic and social importance.