Profile

Prof. Dr. Christoph Zielhofer

Prof. Dr. Christoph Zielhofer

Professor

Physische Geographie
Institutsgebäude
Johannisallee 19a, Room 1.02
04103 Leipzig

Phone: +49 341 97-32965
Fax: +49 341 97-32799


Prof. Dr. Christoph Zielhofer

Prof. Dr. Christoph Zielhofer

Institute Head

Institute for Geography
Institutsgebäude
Johannisallee 19a, Room 1.02
04103 Leipzig

Phone: +49 341 97-32965
Fax: +49 341 97-32799


Prof. Dr. Christoph Zielhofer

Prof. Dr. Christoph Zielhofer

Dean of Studies

Faculty of Physics and Earth Sciences
Institutsgebäude
Johannisallee 19a, Room 1.02
04103 Leipzig

Phone: +49 341 97-32965
Fax: +49 341 97-32799


Abstract

I am professor of physical geography at the Institute of Geography. My main foci in teaching and research are the analysis of geohazards and environmental crises, fluvial geomorphology, soil geography, hydrogeography and (palaeo)limnology. In my studies I analyse long and short-term environmental changes due to climatic and anthropogenic forcing. I look at processes in the past (especially the Holocene) and analyse environmental dynamics and tipping points under the current influence of Global Change.


My preferred working areas are floodplains and agricultural landscapes in Central Europe, the Mediterranean Basin and Africa, as well as highly sensitive arid regions and desert margins.


In my student internships in Germany and abroad, drilling techniques, sediment and soil analyses, geophysical field methods, hydrological analyses and surveying technology are used. My current research projects are funded by the German Research Foundation.

Professional career

  • since 10/2019
    Director, Institute of Geography (Leipzig University)
  • since 04/2019
    Scientific Advisory Board (Vice Chair), Leibniz-Institut für Länderkunde (IfL)
  • since 10/2017
    Study Dean, Geography and Geosciences (Leipzig University)
  • since 10/2014
    Rectorate Representative in Appointment Committees (Leipzig University)
  • 10/2013 - 06/2020
    Member of DFG Priority Programme 1630 „Harbours from the Roman Period to the Middle Ages”
  • since 10/2010
    Member of the Faculty Board (Leipzig University)
  • since 04/2010
    W3 Chair Physical Geography (Leipzig University, 1st place)
  • 04/2009 - 03/2010
    W3 Chair Landscape Geoecology (TU Dresden, representation professorship)

Education

  • since 01/2008
    Habilitation in Geography, PD Dr. rer. nat. habil.(Osnabruck University)
  • since 07/2002
    Dissertation in Physical Geography (KU Eichstätt)
  • since 03/1997
    Diploma thesis in Physical Geography (KU Eichstätt)
  • 10/1988 - 06/1990
    Civilian service (Surgical intensive care unit, clinical centre Köln-Merheim)
  • since 07/1988
    Abitur (final secondary-school examinations), Overath
  • Detecting and understanding hydro-climatic, ecological and socio-ecological tipping points: A multi-scale study at the Moroccan desert margin
    Zielhofer, Christoph
    Duration: 04/2017 - 02/2019
    Funded by: BMBF Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung
    Involved organisational units of Leipzig University: Physische Geographie
    show details
  • Direct push applications in wetland geoarchaeology
    Zielhofer, Christoph
    Duration: 09/2016 - 02/2021
    Funded by: DFG Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
    Involved organisational units of Leipzig University: Physische Geographie
    show details
  • Geomorphological and environmental responses to rapid hydrological changes in the Atlas Mountains (Morocco) during the last 30,000 years
    Zielhofer, Christoph
    Duration: 01/2012 - 12/2022
    Funded by: DFG Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
    Involved organisational units of Leipzig University: Physische Geographie
    show details
  • Imprints of Rapid Climate Changes and human activity on Holocene hydro-sedimentary dynamics in Central Europe (loess-covered Weiße Elster model region)
    von Suchodoletz, Hans
    Duration: 07/2017 - 11/2022
    Funded by: DFG Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
    Involved organisational units of Leipzig University: Physische Geographie; Ur- und Frühgeschichte
    show details
  • On the Way to the Fluvial Anthroposphere
    Zielhofer, Christoph
    Duration: 03/2021 - ongoing
    Funded by: DFG Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
    Involved organisational units of Leipzig University: Physische Geographie
    show details

more projects

  • Zielhofer, C.; Köhler, A.; Mischke, S.; Benkaddour, A.; Mikdad, A.; Fletcher, W. J.
    Western Mediterranean hydro-climatic consequences of Holocene ice-rafted debris (Bond) events
    Climate of the Past. 2019. pp. 463-475
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-15-463-2019
    show details
  • Zielhofer, C.; Wellbrock, K.; al-Souliman, A. S.; von Grafenstein, M.; Schneider, B.; Fitzsimmons, K. E.; Stele, A.; Lauer, T.; von Suchodoletz, H.; Grottker, M.; Gebel, H. G. K.
    Climate forcing and shifts in water management on the Northwest Arabian Peninsula (mid-Holocene Rasif wetlands, Saudi Arabia)
    Quaternary International. 2018. pp. 120-140
    DOI: 10.1016/j.quaint.2018.03.001
    show details
  • Hausmann, J.; Zielhofer, C.; Werther, L.; Berg-Hobohm, S.; Dietrich, P.; Heymann, R.; Werban, U.
    Direct push sensing in wetland (geo)archaeology: High-resolution reconstruction of buried canal structures (Fossa Carolina, Germany)
    Quaternary International. 2018. pp. 21-36
    DOI: 10.1016/j.quaint.2017.02.008
    show details
  • Schmidt, J.; Werther, L.; Zielhofer, C.
    Shaping pre-modern digital terrain models: The former topography at Charlemagne's canal construction site
    PLOS One. 2018.
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0200167
    show details
  • Zielhofer, C.; von Suchodoletz, H.; Fletcher, W. J.; Schneider, B.; Dietze, E.; Schlegel, M.; Schepanski, K.; Weninger, B.; Mischke, S.; Mikdad, A.
    Millennial-scale fluctuations in Saharan dust supply across the decline of the African Humid Period
    Quaternary Science Reviews. 2017. pp. 119-135
    DOI: 10.1016/j.quascirev.2017.07.010
    show details

more publications

  • Andere Stipendien/Forschungspreise: Volksbank Award (Best Interdisciplinary PhD Thesis)
    Zielhofer, Christoph (Physische Geographie)
    awarded in 2002 by Präsident der KU Eichstätt.
    show details

more awards

  • DFG-Rudgespräch/DFG roundtable
    On the Way to the Fluvial Anthroposphere
    Physische Geographie
    Event Organiser: Zielhofer, Christoph
    29/05/2019
    show details
  • Workshop
    International Mediterranean Desert Margin and Drylands Workshop (MULTIPP)
    Physische Geographie
    Event Organiser: Zielhofer, Christoph
    06/03/2018 - 09/03/2018
    show details
  • Workshop
    Gekoppelte geophysikalische und (geo)archäologische Erkundung in Auen und Küstenräumen
    Physische Geographie
    Event Organiser: Zielhofer, Christoph
    22/04/2015 - 24/04/2015
    show details
  • Jahrestagung
    Annual meeting of the German Association on Geoarchaeology
    Physische Geographie
    Event Organiser: Zielhofer, Christoph
    04/05/2018 - 06/05/2018
    show details

more events