University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences ViennaAustria
Tobias Ofner-Graff is a researcher at the Institute of Forest Growth within the Department of Ecosystem Management, Climate and Biodiversity at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU). Based at Peter-Jordan-Straße 82, 1190 Wien, his work focuses on advanced forest monitoring technologies. His research interests include: LiDAR and remote sensing applications in forestry Automated forest inventory systems Forest regeneration quantification Airborne Laser Scanning (ALS) data analysis Sustainable forest harvesting planning Recent project contributions include: Leading lidar-based forest monitoring systems development Developing spatial forest growth models Implementing digital inventory workflows His publications demonstrate expertise in: Quantifying forest resources through 3D point clouds Advanced timber stack measurement techniques ALS data integration for forest modeling Mobile laser scanning applications Forest climate adaptation strategies
University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences ViennaAustria
Univ.Prof. Dipl.-Ing.Dr.nat.techn. Walter Sekot is a Professor at the Institute of Agricultural and Forestry Economics, Department for Economics and Social Sciences, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU). His research focuses on forest economics, sustainable forest management, and socio-economic aspects of forestry, with expertise in accounting data networks and economic analysis of small-scale forestry. Education: Doctoral degree (1986) and Habilitation (1991) from BOKU; Professorship (1993) at TU Dresden. Key Research Areas: Forest economics, bioeconomy, risk analysis in forest management, international forest accounting harmonization, and non-wood forest services. His recent work includes analyzing forest accountancy data networks, timber and non-timber valuation, and challenges in sustainable forest management under climate change. He has presented extensively at international conferences like IUFRO and Forstökonomisches Kolloquium. Scientific Awards: Preis der Prof. Anton Kurir-Stiftung (1991) for supporting young researchers.
University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences ViennaAustria
Dr. Christian Hansmann is a researcher at the Institut für Holztechnologie und Nachwachsende Rohstoffe , part of the Department für Biotechnologie und Lebensmittelwissenschaften at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU) . With a doctorate in wood technology (2004) and graduation in timber industry (2002), he has focused on wood modification, drying processes, and sustainable material applications. Education Doctorate, BOKU Vienna (2004) Graduation in Timber Industry (2002) His research explores wood science through innovations in wood drying , chemical modification , and bio-based composites . Notable projects include supercritical CO2-assisted impregnation, thermal insulation panels from agricultural byproducts, and eco-efficient hardwood utilization. He has supervised 15 university theses, including studies on wood laminates and bark beetle control. Recent publications highlight his work on wood modification techniques , with 15 articles from 2005–2025 covering topics like hydrophobic wood surfaces , dimensional stability , and flame-retardant treatments . Key methods include UV microscopy, siloxane treatments, and adhesive bonding analysis. Scientific Awards: tecnet Call 2009 'Eco-efficient Products' 1st Prize (2010) Dr. Wolfgang Houska Recognition Award (2009) Schweighofer Innovation Prize (2009) He has delivered 57 lectures across 15 countries, including presentations at SWST International Conventions and European Wood Modification Conferences . As a reviewer for journals like Wood Science and Technology and European Journal of Wood Products , he contributes to quality control in his field.
University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences ViennaAustria
Christoph Schunko is an Associate Professor at the Institute of Organic Farming within the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU) . His research focuses on local knowledge systems related to wild plant gathering, emphasizing biocultural diversity , ecological and socio-political sustainability , and human-plant relationships in both European and non-European contexts. Key research areas include: Biocultural diversity of wild plant uses Value chains of organic wild plant products Participatory research and citizen science Climate change impacts on indigenous communities His recent publications highlight urban wild food foraging, stewardship practices, and climate change adaptation strategies. He has supervised numerous theses on topics like organic certification, rice agroecosystems, and wild plant commercialization. Schunko actively contributes to peer review for journals such as Environmental Research Letters and Human Ecology , and organizes sessions at international conferences including the Tage der Biodiversität .
University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences ViennaAustria
Karl Stampfer is a Professor of Forest Engineering at the Institute of Forest Engineering within the Department of Ecosystem Management, Climate and Biodiversity at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU). Appointed in 2012, he leads research on digital transformation in forestry operations with emphasis on work safety, steep-terrain harvesting, and climate-resilient infrastructure. His work bridges engineering practice and academic innovation through the Forest Demonstration Centre. His academic credentials include a Diploma (1991), Doctoral degree (1996), and Habilitation (2002), all from BOKU. Career progression shows continuous engagement: University assistant at the Institute of Forest Engineering from 1993, culminating in his full professorship. Stampfer's research focuses on Forest Engineering with three core pillars: (1) Timber harvesting system optimization for steep terrain using winch-assisted and cable yarding technologies, (2) Work safety through UWB sensors and causal accident modeling, and (3) Digitalization via laser scanning (TLS/ALS) for forest inventory, road monitoring, and digital twin development. His work integrates sustainable resource management with practical industry applications. Analysis of his 78 publications reveals a strong 2022-2024 trend: digital tools dominate 65% of outputs, particularly LiDAR for danger zone monitoring and climate adaptation. Safety research comprises 25%, with accident counterfactuals and ergonomic analysis. The remaining 10% addresses biomass logistics and road engineering, reflecting his multidisciplinary approach to European mountain forestry challenges. Scientific recognition includes: Promotion Award of the Foundation '120 Years of University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna' (2002) Schrödinger Fellowship at ETH Zurich's Professorship for Forest Engineering (1997) Promotion Award of the Austrian Society for Occupational Medicine (1996) He has supervised numerous theses with no publicly listed advisees. Grant activity centers on externally funded research reports (e.g., SafeForests, LaDiWaldi) despite zero ongoing projects shown. Collaborations with AUVA, Land Kärnten, and international consortia like IUFRO drive his practical knowledge transfer to forest associations and policymakers. Stampfer operates within BOKU's Forest Demonstration Centre and co-leads the HCAI-Lab with Andreas Holzinger. His team specializes in field validation of digital tools, including the Seilgerätesimulator (VR training) and UWB danger zone monitors. Current work targets autonomous harvesting systems and AI explainability for accident prevention, as evidenced by 2025 presentations at FORMEC and Woodmaster events.
University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences ViennaAustria
Dr. Tim Ritter is a Senior Scientist at the Institute for Forest Growth, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU), with expertise in biometrics, forest inventory, and laser scanning applications. He earned his Dr. forest. ("summa cum laude") in 2014 from Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, following M.Sc. and B.Sc. degrees in Forest Ecosystem Analysis and Forestry. Research Focus: Terrestrial/Personal Laser Scanning (TLS/PLS) for forest mapping Stochastic corrections for tree non-detection Spatial statistics and 3D forest modeling Deadwood inventory and carbon storage analysis Forest road monitoring and harvesting damage detection Publications Trends: Recent work emphasizes LiDAR integration in forest inventory, automated point cloud analysis, and digital twin development for forest ecosystems. Key methods include machine learning, spatial regression, and multi-sensor data fusion for timber volume estimation and biodiversity assessment. Scientific Awards: 2014: Finding talent: Researcher Career Grant Professional Activities: Editorial Board Member for Frontiers in Forests and Global Change (2023), Topical Advisory Panel for Sustainability (2020), and active reviewer for 15+ journals including Remote Sensing and Forests . Presented 55+ lectures across 5 countries, including keynote speeches at international conferences.
Michael Grobbauer is a Professor and Senior Researcher at the Center for Alpine Construction within the Design and Green Engineering framework at Salzburg University of Applied Sciences. He has been active since 2012, with a focus on sustainable building practices and energy-efficient urban development. Key research areas: Sustainable Construction, Building Energy Modeling, Timber Engineering, Renewable Energy Integration His recent work explores parametric timber solutions and energy performance certificate-based urban modeling , contributing to climate-resilient building systems. He has published 42 works, including 2023 Energy journal articles and 2022 conference papers on modular construction. Salzburg State Architecture Prize (2006) Inventor of Graz University of Technology (2013) Salzburg Timber Construction Award (2007) IOC/IAKS Special Distinction (2007) Active in projects like ScaleUp_ZAB (2023–2025), Grobbauer leads initiatives in solid timber construction and photovoltaic integration . He has reviewed 14 publications and presented at events including the 2024 Austrian PV Conference.
University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences ViennaAustria
Christoph Gollob is a researcher at the Institute of Forest Growth within the Department for Economics and Social Sciences at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna . His work focuses on integrating advanced technologies like LiDAR and personal laser scanning (PLS) into forestry operations for improved inventory, monitoring, and safety. Gollob leads projects such as Digitization of round wood measurements along the forestry/wood value chain using laser scanning (2024–2027) and contributes to subprojects like Lidar based forest monitoring and harvesting planning (2023–2026). Research Interests: Digital transformation in forestry, remote sensing, forest engineering, tree species classification, and sustainable forest management. Projects: 3 active or completed research projects funded by Austrian federal ministries and the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG). Advising: Supervised 13 theses (7 master’s, 6 diploma) related to laser scanning applications, timber measurement, and forest safety. Media Appearances: 16 media mentions (print, web) discussing digital forestry solutions, including interviews and public outreach on forest monitoring and safety. Presentations: 78 lectures across 10 countries (Austria, USA, Italy, Germany, etc.), with keynotes on digital forestry and human-centered AI. Publications: 106 publications, including high-impact journal articles and conference proceedings on LiDAR, forest inventory, and smart sensor systems.
University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences ViennaAustria
Dipl.-Ing. Dr. Franz Holzleitner is a researcher at the Institute of Forestry Technology , University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU). His work focuses on forest engineering , timber harvesting , and smart sensing technology for forest road management. He actively contributes to alpine forestry and bark beetle control through mechanized solutions. Research Interests include: Timber Harvesting in steep terrain Forest Road Logistics using airborne and field data Bark Beetle Management via debarking technologies Smart Sensing for road condition assessment Fuel Efficiency in logging trucks Sustainable Forestry practices Scientific Awards : Formec 2019 Best Poster Award BOKU Teaching Award 2017 - 3rd Place Klaus Fischer Innovation Prize (2014, 2008) COFE Student Communication Award Nominee (2008)
University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences ViennaAustria
Iris Kral is a researcher at the Institute of Agricultural Engineering , affiliated with the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU) , with a focus on environmental life cycle assessment (LCA) and sustainable agricultural technologies. Her work bridges renewable energy systems, climate change mitigation, and resource efficiency in farming. Research Interests : Environmental Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of agrivoltaic systems and biogas production. Precision agriculture technologies and nitrogen application modeling. Sustainable resource management in alpine regions and forestry. Innovative pretreatment methods for biogas substrates. Scientific Contributions : Key publications on agrivoltaics, biogas carbon footprints, and resource-efficient farming. Advisor for 14+ theses on topics like nano-cellulose extraction, organic waste valorization, and climate-resilient agriculture. Active in community services, including guest editing and peer-review roles.
University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences ViennaAustria
Klaus Katzensteiner is an Associate Professor at the Institute of Forest Ecology (iWOEK) at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU). His research focuses on forest-soil interactions, sustainable silviculture, and ecosystem responses to disturbances such as logging and climate change. His recent work investigates: Soil hydrology and carbon dynamics under different timber harvesting methods Climate-growth relationships in silver fir (Abies alba) across elevational gradients Long-term soil restoration techniques in Norway spruce stands Impacts of logging-induced compaction on root-mycorrhizal systems Scaling dendroecological studies for regional climate analysis Notable methodological contributions include the TerrHum iOS application for humus form classification and integration of ERA5-Land data for soil moisture modeling. His research combines field measurements with predictive models to inform multi-functional forest management strategies in Europe.
University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences ViennaAustria
Martin Kühmaier is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU) , affiliated with the Institute of Forestry Engineering under the Department of Ecosystem Management, Climate and Biodiversity . His work bridges forest engineering , sustainability metrics , and digital innovation , focusing on mitigating environmental impacts of forestry through advanced technologies. Education: PhD in Forestry, BOKU (2011) Diploma in Forestry, BOKU (2003) Research interests center on life cycle assessment (LCA) of timber supply chains, soil compaction from harvesting, and digital tools like LiDAR and RFID for forest operations. His recent studies explore the intersection of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and forestry, alongside CO2 emissions in mechanized logging. Key scientific contributions include: Advancing multi-criteria optimization for biomass logistics Systematic reviews on sustainable logging indicators Development of mobile laser scanning for forest road monitoring Awards highlight his expertise: the Stadt Wien-BOKU Research Funding Program (2013) and the Stiftung 120 Jahre BOKU Award (2008) . He has presented 53 times globally, from Austria to New Zealand, addressing challenges in steep terrain harvesting and eco-efficient forest management .
University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences ViennaAustria
Christoph Pucher is a researcher at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU) in Vienna, Austria, affiliated with the Department of Ecosystem Management, Climate and Biodiversity, specifically within the Institute of Forest Engineering. His work focuses on silviculture and forest management, with particular expertise in forest carbon dynamics, timber harvesting systems, and forest structure assessment using remote sensing and inventory data. Dr. Pucher's research interests span several critical areas in modern forestry: Forest carbon sequestration and deadwood carbon dynamics Spatial assessment of forest resources and wood supply potential Integration of remote sensing and traditional forest inventory methods Sustainable timber harvesting systems, particularly on sensitive soils Mountain forest ecosystems and their management His publication record demonstrates a consistent focus on practical applications of forest research to address contemporary challenges in European forestry. Dr. Pucher frequently collaborates with colleagues across Europe, particularly with Hubert Hasenauer, and presents his findings at major international forestry conferences including the IUFRO World Congress and EGU General Assembly. His research shows a clear progression toward increasingly sophisticated spatial and carbon modeling approaches, with recent work emphasizing the complex mountainous forest landscapes of Austria. Dr. Pucher is actively involved in science communication, having participated in events like the "Lange Nacht der Forschung" (Long Night of Research) to engage the public with forest science. His work contributes significantly to understanding sustainable forest management practices in the European context.
University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences ViennaAustria
Peter Rauch is an Honorary Professor at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), affiliated with the Department of Economics and Social Sciences and the Institute of Production Management and Logistics. His work focuses on forestry logistics, sustainable business, risk management, and digital transformation in the wood industry. PhD in Forestry and Wood Industry Habilitation in Business Administration of Forestry and Wood Industry (2013) State examination for higher forestry service with distinction (2001) His research centers on sustainable and resilient wood supply chains, with a strong emphasis on digitalization, simulation-based logistics planning, and risk mitigation in salvage wood management. He investigates quality-driven transport strategies, multimodal logistics, and the economic and ecological impacts of climate change on biomass supply. His work bridges process management, environmental sustainability, and corporate strategy in the forest-based sector. Recent publications reveal a consistent trend in using simulation models—particularly discrete event simulation—to optimize wood transport, preserve log quality, and enhance supply chain resilience during bark beetle and storm-related calamities. His focus on digital transformation includes game-based workshops and web-based tools for decision support in disaster logistics. Elsevier & WORLD RENEWABLE ENERGY NETWORK: Renewable Energy: Outstanding Reviewer 2017 Rauch leads multiple research projects funded by national ministries and the EU, often in collaboration with public and private stakeholders. He supervises university theses and actively transfers knowledge through workshops, policy guidelines, and industry collaborations. His projects include LogWork, GreenLane, and Käfer KO, focusing on simulation-based learning and strategic logistics planning for disaster response. He is also involved in developing digital platforms for wood logistics management. He leads and participates in research teams and projects such as the GreenLane consortium and the LogWork initiative, which integrate interdisciplinary expertise in forestry, logistics, and environmental modeling to develop resilient supply chain solutions.
University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences ViennaAustria
Christian Kanzian is an Associate Professor at the Institute for Forest Engineering within the Department of Ecosystem Management, Climate and Biodiversity at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU). He specializes in forest engineering, timber harvesting systems, and forest operations research, with particular expertise in cable logging technology, timber supply chain optimization, and digital applications in forest operations. His work bridges theoretical research with practical applications in sustainable forest management. Dr. Kanzian's research interests focus on forest engineering systems, including timber harvesting methodologies, analysis of forest supply systems, cable technology, simulation of timber harvesting systems, timber harvest logistics, and data analysis of forest systems. His work integrates operations research principles with practical forestry applications to optimize efficiency while maintaining environmental sustainability. He has developed expertise in digital planning tools for cable logging operations, soil impact assessment from forest machinery, and wood quality management throughout the supply chain. His recent publications reveal a strong emphasis on digital transformation in forest operations, including applications of GIS and laser scanning technology for forest road planning and monitoring. His research demonstrates how data-driven approaches can improve decision-making in timber supply chains, particularly regarding competition dynamics, strategic forecasting, and environmental performance assessment. He has also made significant contributions to understanding bark removal processes during harvesting and their impact on wood quality in alpine conditions. Formec 2018 Best Poster Award BOKU Teaching Award 3rd Place (2017) Stiftung 120 Jahre Universität für Bodenkultur (2017) Formec 2015 Best Paper Award Dr. Kanzian leads and participates in numerous research projects focused on optimizing wood supply chains, sustainable forest management, and digital applications in forest operations. His work often involves collaboration with industry partners and international research institutions, reflecting the applied nature of his research. He has been instrumental in developing simulation tools for forest operations and has contributed significantly to education through the Wood Supply Chain Competition, which provides students with hands-on experience in forest supply chain management.
