Matthias Bernhardt

Matthias Bernhardt is an Associate Professor at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), affiliated with the Department of Water-Atmosphere-Environment and the Institute of Hydrology and Water Management. His research focuses on alpine hydrology, snowpack modeling, and remote sensing applications in mountainous regions.

• Academic Rank: Associate Professor
• Institution: University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU)
• Department: Institute of Hydrology and Water Management
• Email: matthias.bernhardt@boku.ac.at
• ORCID: 0000-0001-5503-7925

His research interests center on hydrological processes in alpine environments, particularly snow dynamics, snow cover heterogeneity, and meltwater generation. He employs physically based models such as Alpine3D, SNOWPACK, and Crocus, and integrates remote sensing technologies including GNSS and UAS for monitoring snow properties and energy fluxes. His work contributes to improving snow management in ski resorts and understanding climate change impacts on water resources.

The recent publications highlight a strong trend in using advanced modeling and remote sensing techniques to study snow hydrology. Key themes include physically based snowpack simulation, GNSS-based snow monitoring, spatially distributed heat flux estimation, and the application of satellite and terrestrial imaging for snow cover mapping. These efforts are often applied in high-alpine terrains and support climate adaptation strategies in mountain regions.

Scientific recognition includes:

• Complementary EGU member for the calendar year 2012 in appreciation of activities in respect to the EGU

Dr. Bernhardt has been actively involved in advising and presenting research, with numerous conference presentations at EGU and AGU. His work often involves collaboration with international research teams and participation in projects like PROSNOW, which aims to optimize snow management in Alpine ski resorts. He has contributed to studies on evapotranspiration trends and turbulent heat flux modeling using UAV-based thermal data, demonstrating a broad expertise in environmental monitoring and modeling.

He leads research using cutting-edge technologies such as GNSS remote sensing and unmanned aerial systems (UAS) for environmental observation. His team applies these tools in high-alpine stations to monitor snow water equivalent, liquid water content, and land surface temperature, supporting both scientific understanding and practical applications in water resource management.