Peter Fiener

Peter Fiener serves as Professor for Water and Soil Resource Research at the Department of Geography, Faculty of Applied Computer Sciences, University of Augsburg since 2013. He concurrently holds the position of Dean of Students in the Department of Geography (since 2016) and coordinates the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network SOPLAS (since 2021). His academic journey includes prior appointments as Professor at the Indo-German Centre for Sustainability, Indian Institute of Technology Madras (2011-2012) and Senior Scientist at the University of Cologne (2004-2013).

• PhD from Technische Universität München (2003)
• Habilitation from University of Cologne (2010)
• Master's in Geography from Universität Augsburg and LMU München (1998)

Professor Fiener's research program focuses on measuring and modeling surface runoff, soil erosion, and lateral matter fluxes in agricultural landscapes. He investigates the effects of spatio-temporal patterns and connectivity on water and matter movement, coupling these processes with biogeochemical cycles in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. A significant recent emphasis has been on macro and microplastics in arable soil systems, particularly their redistribution mechanisms. His geographical research areas of specialization include South India and Central Africa, where he has conducted extensive field studies on sustainable agricultural practices.

Analysis of his 2024-2025 publications reveals a strong research trajectory toward microplastic detection methodologies, advanced soil erosion modeling using machine learning, and carbon dynamics in eroding landscapes. His work increasingly integrates remote sensing technologies with computational approaches to address large-scale soil conservation challenges, demonstrating particular innovation in plasticulture detection using satellite data and erosion nowcasting systems.

• Coordinator of Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network SOPLAS

Professor Fiener leads the Water and Soil Resource Research Team comprising multiple doctoral researchers including Dr. Florian Wilken, Dr. Pedro Batista, and Dr. Lena Katharina Öttl, alongside numerous M.Sc. researchers. His M²ESH laboratory supports advanced measurement and modeling of soil hydrological processes. Current research directions include understanding tillage erosion's role in carbon dynamics, developing cost-effective microplastic detection protocols, and assessing long-term impacts of agricultural practices on landscape evolution across multiple temporal scales.