Stefan Auer

Stefan Auer is a Researcher at the Institute of Hydrobiology and Aquatic Ecosystem Management under the Department of Ecosystem Management, Climate and Biodiversity at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU). His work focuses on hydrobiology, aquatic ecosystem dynamics, and fish ecology, particularly examining the impacts of hydropeaking (artificial flow fluctuations from hydropower) on cyprinid fish populations (e.g., barbel, nase, grayling), with emphasis on larval stranding, drift behavior, and river habitat restoration.

• Research Themes: Hydropeaking effects, fish population dynamics, riverine ecosystem management, climate change impacts on aquatic species, and ecohydraulics.
• Key Collaborations: Regularly works with Stefan Schmutz, Daniel S. Hayes, and Florian Führer on international conferences like IAHR and INTECOL.
• Advisory Roles: Supervised master’s theses on topics including multiple stressors on fish biodiversity, hydropeaking experiments, and thermal stress effects.

Recent Publications highlight experimental studies quantifying fish stranding risks under varying flow conditions, gravel bar morphologies, and thermal stressors. His work contributes to Austrian hydropeaking guidelines and international river sustainability frameworks.

Scientific Awards: No explicit awards mentioned in the provided text.