Jan-Christoph Otto

Ass.-Prof. Dr.
Coordination Master Programme
Department of Environment and Biodiversity
University of Salzburg
Hellbrunnerstraße 34
5020 Salzburg
Austria
Room No.: 3.032
Phone: +43 662 8044 5291
Mobile: +43 664 8482 380
E-mail: jan-christoph.otto@sbg.ac.at
Brief introduction Changes of high mountain landscapes manifested through landform changes, dynamic sediment movements and the related consequences for society are a focus in my scientific work. In my research I combine geomorphological quantitative and qualitative field methods with shallow geophysics and GIS and remote sensing analysis. My teaching activites include various field and lab courses on geomorphological and geological techniques and GIS applications in geomorphology, lectures on geomorphology, natural hazards and risks and field trips.
Research tags Alpine Geomorphology Sediment Budgets Glacial and Periglacial Environments High Mountain Environments Human Impact on Natural Systems Environmental Change Natural Hazards and Risk Glacier lakes Permafrost Ground penetrating radar Refraction seismics Electric resistivity sounding Geomorphological mapping GIS Risk analysis Hazard mapping Modelling Sampling Laser Scanning
Running projects
- RIDGES - Rock Slope Instability in Recently Deglaciating Cirque Headwalls, 2020-2022, ÖAW
- PHUSICOS - Solutions to reduce risk in mountain landscapes, project partner, EU-Kommission, Horizon 2020, 2018-2021, https://phusicos.eu/
- CirqueMonHT - Der Einfluss von Gletscher-Randklüften auf Felsstürze (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Alpenländer (ARGE ALP)- 2017-2019)
- GlacierRocks - Glacier-Headwall Interaction and its Influence on Rockfall Activity (Austrian Academy of Sciences , ÖAW 2017 - 2020)
- FutureLakes - Formation and future evolution of glacier lakes in Austria (Austrian Academy of Sciences , ÖAW 2014 - 2017)
Finishes projects
- MOREXPERT - Monitoring potential hazardous rock walls and slopes in mountain regions - development of an expert system and adaptation strategies (COMET - K1: Centre for Climate Change Adaption Technologies, 2010-2014)
Finished Projects
- PermAfrost - Permafrost-Glacier Interaction - Process Understanding of Permafrost Reformation and Degradation) (funded by Austrian Academy of Science, 2010-2013)
- SourceSink - Quantifying Late and Postglacial sediment fluxes and storage in nested alpine catchments (ESF - Topo Europe Programme, funded by FWF, 2008-2012)
- SedyMONT - Sediment budget for a glacier forefield (Pasterze, Hohe Tauern, Austria) (ESF - Topo Europe Programme, funded by FWF, 2008-2012)
- permalp.at - Permafrost distribution in Austria (supported by several Austrian Institutions, 2008-2011)
- GRK 437 - Quantification of sediment storage in the Turtmann Valley, Switzerland (Department of Geography, Bonn, Germany, 2003-2006, DFG)
Peer-reviewed papers and book contributions
2022
- 2022) Testing the performance of ice thickness models to estimate the formation of potential future glacial lakes in Austria. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 47( 3), 723– 741. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.5266 , , , & (
2021
- Quantification of biogeomorphic interactions between small-scale sediment transport and primary vegetation succession on proglacial slopes of the Gepatschferner, Austria. Earth Surf. Process. Landforms. 2021; 46: 1941– 1952. https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.5136 , , , , , .
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Evolution of debris cover on glaciers of the Eastern Alps, Austria, between 1996 and 2015. Earth Surf. Process. Landforms. 2021; 46: 1673– 1691. https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.5065, , , .
- Robert R Junker, Xie He, Jan-Christoph Otto, Victoria Ruiz-Hernández, Maximilian Hanusch, Divergent assembly processes? A comparison of the plant and soil microbiome with plant communities in a glacier forefield, FEMS Microbiology Ecology, Volume 97, Issue 10, October 2021, fiab135, https://doi.org/10.1093/femsec/fiab135
- Otto, J.C., Kraushaar, S., 2021. Risk management in the 21st century - Nature-based solutions in natural hazard prevention. Geographische Rundschau.
2020
- Otto, J.C. (2020): Gletscherseen in Österreich. Bergauf, Magazin des Alpenverein Österreich, 02_2020, 18-21. Bergauf_2020_Gletscherseen
2019
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Ewald, A., I. Hartmeyer, M. Keuschnig, A. Lang and J.C. Otto 2019. Fracture dynamics in an unstable, deglaciating headwall, Kitzsteinhorn, Austria. The Cryosphere Discuss., 2019: 1-25.DOI: 10.5194/tc-2019-42
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Helfricht, K., M. Huss, A. Fischer and J.-C. Otto 2019. Calibrated Ice Thickness Estimate for All Glaciers in Austria. Frontiers in Earth Science, 7(68). DOI: 10.3389/feart.2019.00068
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Dąbski, M., B. Woronko, P. Fabijańska and J.-C. Otto 2019. Micro-weathering of limestone surfaces in a foreland of Hallstätter Glacier (Dachstein, Austria). Geografiska Annaler: Series A, Physical Geography, 101(3): 277-292. DOI: 10.1080/04353676.2019.1636545
2018
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Chandler, B.M.P., Lovell, H., Boston, C.M., Lukas, S., Barr, I.D., Benediktsson, Í.Ö., Benn, D.I., Clark, C.D., Darvill, C.M., Evans, D.J.A., Ewertowski, M.W., Loibl, D., Margold, M., Otto, J.-C., Roberts, D.H., Stokes, C.R., Storrar, R.D., Stroeven, A.P. (2018) Glacial geomorphological mapping: A review of approaches and frameworks for best practice. Earth-Science Reviews, 185, pp. 806-846. https://DOI: 10.1016/j.earscirev.2018.07.015
- Messenzehl K, Viles H, Otto J‐C, Ewald A, Dikau R. Linking rock weathering, rockwall instability and rockfall supply on talus slopes in glaciated hanging valleys (Swiss Alps). Permafrost and Periglac Process. 2018;1–17. https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp.1976
- Buckel, J., Otto, J.C., Prasicek, G. and Keuschnig, M., 2018. Glacial lakes in Austria - Distribution and formation since the Little Ice Age. Global and Planetary Change, 164, 39-51. /10.1016/j.gloplacha.2018.03.003
2017
- Otto, J.-C., Prasicek, G., Blöthe, J. and Schrott, L., 2017. GIS Applications in Geomorphology, Reference Module in Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences. Elsevier. doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-409548-9.10029-6
2016
- Messenzehl, K., Meyer, H., Otto, J.-C., Hoffmann, T., Dikau, R. (2016): Regional-scale controls on the spatial activity of rockfalls (Turtmann valley, Swiss Alps) - A multivariate modelling approach. In: Geomorphology, doi:10.1016/j.geomorph.2016.01.008
2015
- Götz J., Otto J.-C., Salcher B & J. Buckel (2015): Methodische Potentiale der modernen Geomorphologie für die Analyse, Quantifizierung und Rekonstruktion von Erdoberflächenprozessen. - In: GW-Unterricht (Fachwissenschaft) 138, 5-26.
2014
- Glade, T., R. Bell, P. Dobesberger, C. Embleton-Hamann, R. Fromm, S. Fuchs, K. Hagen, J. Hübl, G. Lieb, J.C. Otto, F. Perzl, R. Peticzka, C. Prager, C. Samimi, O. Sass, W. Schöner, D. Schröter, L. Schrott, C. Zangerl und A. Zeidler, (2014): Der Einfluss des Klimawandels auf die Reliefsphäre. In: Österreichischer Sachstandsbericht Klimawandel 2014 (AAR14). Austrian Panel on Climate Change (APCC), Verlag der Österreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften, Wien, Österreich, S. 557–600.
- Prasicek, G., J.-C. Otto, D. R. Montgomery, and L. Schrott (2014), Multi-scale curvature for automated identification of glaciated mountain landscapes, Geomorphology, 209 (0), 53-65.
- Prasicek, G., Otto, J.-C., Montgomery D. R. & L. Schrott (2014). Glaciated valleys in Europe and western Asia. Journal of Maps, 1-10.
- Stiegler, C., Rode, M., Sass, O., Otto, J.C., (2014): An Undercooled Scree Slope Detected by Geophysical Investigations in Sporadic Permafrost below 1000 M ASL, Central Austria. Permafrost and Periglacial Processes, 25(3), 194-207.
2013
- Geilhausen, Martin; Morche, David; Otto, Jan-Christoph; Schrott, Lothar (2013). Sediment discharge from the proglacial zone of a retreating Alpine glacier. Zeitschrift für Geomorphologie, Supplement Issue, 57, 2. 29-53.
- Otto, J.C. and M. Smith (2013): Section 2.6 Geomorphological mapping. In: Clarke, L.E. (Ed.) Geomorphological Techniques (Online Edition). British Society for Geomorphology, London. ISSN: 2047-0371 (PDF)
- Smith, M.J., J. Hillier, J.C. Otto & M. Geilhausen (2013): Geovisualisation. In: John F. Shroder (ed.) Treatise on Geomorphology, Volume 3, San Diego: Academic Press. Elsevier, pp. 299-325.
- Schrott, L.; Otto, J. C.; Götz, J. & Geilhausen, M. (2013): Fundamental classic and modern field techniques in Geomorphology - an overview. In: John F. Shroder (ed.) Treatise on Geomorphology, Volume 14, San Diego: Academic Press. Elsevier, pp. 6-21.
- Götz, J., Otto, J.C., Schrott, L., 2013. Postglacial sediment storage and rockwall retreat in a semi-closed inner-alpine sedimentary basin (Gradenmoos, Hohe Tauern, Austria). Geografia Fisica e Dinamica Quaternaria, 36(1), 63-80. Matenco, L., Andriessen, P., Andriessen, P.A.M., Avram, C., Bada, G., Beekman, F., Bielik, M., Ter Borgh, M., Cifci, G., Cvetković, V., Dinu, C., Dombradi, E., Dondurur, D., Ergun, M., Francu, J., Fügenschuh, B., Garcia-Castellanos, D., Götz, J., Horváth, F., Houseman, G., Knežević, S., Kovac, M., Kralikova, S., Krijgsman, W., Kucuk, M., Legosteva, O., Lericolais, G., Jipa, D., Maximov, G., Melinte, M., Minar, J., Munteanu, I., Munt, I.J., Olariu, C., Otto, J.C., Panin, N., Plašienka, D., Reiser, M., Rundić, L., Rupprechter, M., Safanda, J., Schmid, S., Schrott, L., Schuster, R., Starostenko, V., Steel, R.J., Stephenson, R., Stovba, S., Sokoutis, D., Stankoviansky, M., Stoica, M., Stojadinović, U., Toljić, M., Tomljenović, B., Ter Voorde, M., Wong, H., 2013. Quantifying the mass transfer from mountain ranges to deposition in sedimentary basins: Source to sink studies in the danube basin-black sea system. Global and Planetary Change, 103(1), 1-18.
2012
- Lothar Schrott, Jan-Christoph Otto, Felix Keller (2012): Modelling alpine permafrost distribution in the Hohe Tauern region, Austria. In: Austrian Journal of Earth Sciences, 105/2, 169-183. (PDF)
- Wolfgang SCHÖNER, Lorenz BOECKLI, Helmut HAUSMANN, Jan-Christoph OTTO, Stefan REISENHOFER, Claudia RIEDL & Sirri SEREN (2012): Spatial Patterns of Permafrost at Hoher Sonnblick (Austrian Alps) - Extensive Field-measurements and Modelling Approaches. In: Austrian Journal of Earth Sciences, 105/2, 154-168. (PDF)
- Otto, J.-C., Keuschnig, M., Götz, J., Marbach, M. and Schrott, L. (2012): Detection of mountain permafrost by combining high-resolution surface and subsurface information – An example from the Glatzbach catchment, Austrian Alps. Geografiska Annaler: Series A, Physical Geography, 94, 43-57. 10.1111/j.1468-0459.2012.00455.x .
- Keiler, M., Kellerer-Pirklbauer, A. and Otto, J.-C. (2012): PREFACE: CONCEPTS AND IMPLICATIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE AND HUMAN IMPACT: STUDIES FROM AUSTRIAN GEOMORPHOLOGICAL RESEARCH. Geografiska Annaler: Series A, Physical Geography, 94, 1-5. 10.1111/j.1468-0459.2012.00457.x.
- Dürst Stucki M., Schlunegger F., Christener F., Otto J.-C. & J. Götz (2012):Deepening of inner gorges through subglacial meltwater — An example from the UNESCO Entlebuch area, Switzerland. In: Geomorphology, Vol. 139/140, 506-517
2011
- Otto, J.C., M. Gustavsson, & M. Geilhausen (2011). Cartography: design, symbolisation and visualisation of geomorphological maps. In: M.J. Smith, P. Paron & J. Griffiths (Editors), Geomorphological Mapping: a handbook of techniques and applications. Elsevier, London. 253-295.
- Keuschnig, M., Hartmeyer, I., Otto, J.-C. & Schrott, L. (2011): A new permafrost and mass movement test site in the Eastern Alps - concept and first results of the MOREXPERT project. In: Borsdorf, A., Stötter, J. & Veulliet, E. (eds.). Managing Alpine Future II, Proceedings 163-173.
2009
- Otto, J.C., L. Schrott, M. Jaboyedoff & R, Dikau (2009): Quantifiying sediment storage in a high alpine valley (Turtmanntal, Switzerland). In: Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 34, pp. 1726-1742.
2008
- Otto,J.C., J. Goetz & L. Schrott (2008): Sediment storage in alpine sedimentary systems – quantification and scaling issues. In: Sediment Dynamics in Changing Environments (Proceedings of a symposium held in Christchurch, New Zealand, December 2008). IAHS Publ. 325, 2008.
2007
- Otto, J.C., K. Kleinod, O. König, M. Krautblatter, N. Nyenhuis, I. Roer, M. Schneider, B. Schreiner, & R. Dikau (2007): HRSC-A data: a new high-resolution data set with multi-purpose applications in physical geography. Progress in Physical Geography, 31(2), pp.179-197. (Download pdf- 700 kb)
2006
- Otto, J.C. & O. Sass (2006): Comparing geophysical methods for talus slope investigations in the Turtmann valley (Swiss Alps). Geomorphology, 76, 3-4, pp.257-272.(Download pdf - 1,5 MB)
- Dikau, R., H. Gärtner, N. Nyenhuis, J.Otto, I.Roer & I.Sahling (2006): Potentiale neuer Methoden zur Detektion von Reliefformen und der Kinematik der Erdoberfläche. in: Deutscher Arbeitskreis für Geomorphologie (Hrsg.): Die Erdoberfläche - Lebens- und Gestaltungsraum des Menschen. Forschungsstrategische und programmatische Leitlinien zukünftiger geomorphologischer Forschung und Lehre. Zeitschrift für Geomorphologie, Suppl. 148. pp.116-125.
2004
- Otto, J.C. & R. Dikau (2004): Geomorphologic System Analysis of a High Mountain Valley in the Swiss Alps. Zeitschrift für Geomorphologie (Journal of Geomorphology) Vol.48, 3, pp.323-341. (Download pdf - 7,4 MB)
Monographs, books, special issues
- Glade, T., R. Bell, P. Dobesberger, C. Embleton-Hamann, R. Fromm, S. Fuchs, K. Hagen, J. Hübl, G. Lieb, J.C. Otto, F. Perzl, R. Peticzka, C. Prager, C. Samimi, O. Sass, W. Schöner, D. Schröter, L. Schrott, C. Zangerl und A. Zeidler (2014): Der Einfluss des Klimawandels auf die Reliefsphäre. In: Österreichischer Sachstandsbericht Klimawandel 2014 (AAR14). Austrian Panel on Climate Change (APCC), Verlag der Österreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften, Wien, Österreich, S. 557–600.
- Keiler, M., Kellerer-Pirklbauer, A. and Otto, J.-C. (2012): Special Issue:CONCEPTS AND IMPLICATIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE AND HUMAN IMPACT: STUDIES FROM AUSTRIAN GEOMORPHOLOGICAL RESEARCH. Geografiska Annaler: Series A, Physical Geography, 94,1.
- Otto, J.C. and L. Schrott (2010): Quantifizierung von rezenten und postglazialen Sedimentflüssen in den Ostalpen. Salzburger Geographische Arbeiten, Bnd 46.
- Otto, J.C. and R. Dikau (2009): Landform - Structure, Evolution, Process Control: Proceedings of the International Symposium on Landform organised by the Research Training Group 437. Lecture Notes in Earth Sciences , Springer. For more information please consult the product flyer or visit http://springer.com/978-3-540-75760-3.
- Otto, J.C. (2009): Paraglacial Sediment Storage Quantification in the Turtmann Valley, Swiss Alps. Bonner Geographische Abhandlungen, No. 124.
- Otto, J.C. (2006): Paraglacial sediment storage quantification in the Turtmann Valley, Swiss Alps. PhD theses, University of Bonn, 161 pages. (Download pdf)
Other publications
- Otto J.C., Keuschnig M. (2014): Permafrost-Glacier Interaction – Process Understanding of Permafrost Reformation and Degradation. DOI:10.1553/IGF-1 ISBN: 978-3-7001-7577-3 . In book: permAfrost – Austrian Permafrost Research Initiative. Final Report, Chapter: 1, Publisher: ÖAW - Austrian Academy of Sciences, Editors: Martin Rutzinger, Kati Heinrich, Axel Borsdorf, Johann Stötter, pp.3-16
- Otto, J.-C., M. Geilhausen & L. Schrott (2009): Die Oberfläche entschlüsseln - Methoden der Geomorphologie zur Erkundung der Erdoberfläche und des oberflächennahen Untergrundes. In: Musil, R. & Staudacher, C. (Hrsg.): Menschen.Raum.Umwelt. Entwicklungen und Perspektiven der Geographie in Österreich, S. 134-144.
- Schneider, M. & J. C. Otto (2007): A new semi-automatic tool for 3-dimensional landform mapping. Proceedings 9th Int. Conf. on High Mountain Remote Sensing Cartography, 14-22.Sept. 2006, Graz, Grazer Schriften der Geographie und Raumordnung, Band 43, 235-242.(Download pdf - 500 kb)
Online Publications/Websites
- Otto, J.C. & M. Keuschnig (2009):Geophysical prospection on a complex rock glacier system (Morenas Coloradas, Mendoza, Argentina) - Hompage: Teaching Geomorphology in the 21st century - Geomorphology Vignettes. URL: http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/geomorph/vignettes/31903.html
- Geilhausen, M., Dikau, R., Otto, J.C. (2007): GMK.digital - Geomorphologische Karten im Netz. URL: http://gidimap.giub.uni-bonn.de/gmk.digital/home.htm
- M. Geilhausen & J. C. Otto (2007): WebGIS Turtmanntal URL: http://gidimap.giub.uni-bonn.de/grk/frames/login.php?&gui_id=grk437&name=grk&password=grk
Education
- Study of Geography at the Department of Geography, Bonn, Germany and the Institute de Géographie Alpine, Grenoble, France (1994-2002)
- February 2002: Graduation in Geography (Diploma), Department of Geography, Bonn, Germany (Thesis Title: Das Geomorphologische System des Turtmanntal, Wallis, Schweiz)
- Postgraduate study in Geography (PhD) at the Research Training Group 437 "Landform - a structured and variable boundary layer", Department of Geography, Bonn, Germany (2003-2006)
- Dec. 2006: PhD Graduation, University of Bonn (Prof. Richard Dikau) (Thesis Title: Paraglacial sediment storage quantification in the Turtmann Valley, Swiss Alps)
Employment
- Nov. 2012- August 2016: Founder and Managing Director at geoFact Austria GmbH, Salzburg - Consultat for Geophysic and Geologie
- Since Okt. 2011: Researcher at Department of Geography and Geologie, University of Salzburg, Austria, Member of the Research Group Geomorphology and Environmental Systems
- Okt. 2007-Sept 2011: Postdoc at Department of Geography and Geologie, University of Salzburg, Austria, Member of the Research Group Geomorphology and Environmental Systems
- Okt. 2006 - Sept 2007: Postdoc at the Department of Geography, University of Bonn, Germany
- May – June 2002: Project collaborator Geospace GmbH, Köln
- May – June 2000: Trainee Geological Survey of Canada, Ottawa, Kanada
Memberships
- Österreichische Forschungsgruppe für Geomorphologie und Umweltwandel (Co-chair 2009-2012)
- Deutscher Arbeitskreis für Geomorphologie (AK Geomorphologie)
- EGU (European Geoscience Union)
- Association of Geomorphologists (IAG)
- Verband der Geographen an Deutschen Hochschulen
- Österreichische Geographische Gesellschaft
- Permafrost Young Researchers Network (PYRN)
- IAG working group "Geomorphology and Earth System Science"
- IAG working group " Applied geomorphological mapping"
- IAG Working Group on Sediment Budgets in Cold Environments - SEDIBUD (Member of the Stearing Commitee)
- ESF Network SEDIFLUX (Sedimentary Source-to-Sink-Fluxes in Cold Environments)
Memberships in Editorial Boards
- Journal of Maps (Impact Factor 2014: 1.193)
Journal Referee
- Geomorphology
- Zeitschrift für Geomorphologie
- Earth Surface Processes and Landforms
- Arctic, Antarctic and Alpine Researc
- Journal of Maps
- Geografiska Annaler A
- Vadose Zone
- Natural Hazards and Earth System Science
Meeting Organisation
2008
- 3.Mitteleuropäische Geomorphologietagung, Salzburg, Austria 23.-28. September 2008
2007
- Landform - structure, evolution, process control. Symposium Department of Geography, Bonn, 07. - 10. June 2007
- Sources to sink sedimentary cascades: Perspectives from Germany and Japan, 1. -10. September 2007, Sapporro, Japan