Hans-Otto Pörtner

Prof. Dr. Hans-Otto Pörtner is a Research Professor and Section Head of Integrative Ecophysiology at the Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI). His research focuses on the physiological and ecological impacts of climate change, ocean acidification, and hypoxia on marine organisms and ecosystems. He co-chairs the IPCC Working Group II, contributing to global climate assessments. Pörtner has been affiliated with AWI in Bremerhaven, Germany, and has extensive involvement in polar and marine research projects.

His work integrates molecular, biochemical, and ecological mechanisms to understand species' tolerance limits and biogeographical distributions under environmental stressors. Key areas include the effects of warming and ocean chemistry changes on marine animal physiology and ecosystem resilience. He collaborates internationally through initiatives like the MOSAiC expedition and FRAM Observing System.

Pörtner’s research also addresses long-term observations and modeling of climate-driven ecological shifts, with contributions to biodiversity conservation and policy-relevant science through IPCC assessments.