Christiaan van der Tol

dr. ir.

Calculated based on number of publications stored in Pure and citations from Scopus
20032024

Research activity per year

Personal profile

Personal profile

My name is Christiaan van der Tol, I was born in 1978 and I am currently an associate professor in 'Ecohydrology and Earth Observation' at the Water Resources department, faculty ITC of the University of Twente.

I enjoy interaction with students and colleagues as much as my research into water, energy and photosynthesis. I am interested in how water, solar radiation and nutrients interact in the terrestiral biosphere. Many aspects of the processes in natural systems can inspire us to develop towards a sustainable use of water, production of food, and use of energy sources.

With a group of collaborators, I developed the 'Soil Canopy Observation of Photosynthesis and Energy fluxes' (SCOPE) model, which includes the relevant physical processes at the Earth surface and simulators for different satellite sensors. This model has helped the interpretation of remote sensing data.

I obtained my MSc degree in Hydrology at Wageningen University (2001), and PhD in Earth Sciences at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (2007) with the thesis ‘Climatic Constaints on Cabon Assimilation and Transpiration of sub-Mediterranean forests’. I developed the ‘Soil-Canopy Observation of Photosynthesis and Energy fluxes’ (SCOPE) model at the University of Twente, and worked on the interpretation of Solar Induced Chlorophyll fluorescence: https://github.com/christiaanvandertol

Research interests

  • The energy and water budget of the Earth
  • Remote sensing of physical processes on Earth, such as photosynthesis and evaporation of water
  • Vegetation structure and composition, and its relation with thermodynamics
  • Energy dissipation pathways in natural systems 
  • Micro-climate control in natural systems
  • Improving water and energy use efficiency of crops through companion planting and structure manipulation
  • Solar Induced Chlorophyll fluorescence
  • Rainfall and light interception, evaporation and transpiration

Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

  • SDG 2 - Zero Hunger
  • SDG 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation
  • SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy
  • SDG 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth
  • SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities
  • SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production
  • SDG 13 - Climate Action
  • SDG 14 - Life Below Water
  • SDG 15 - Life on Land
  • SDG 17 - Partnerships for the Goals

External positions

Associate Editor of 'Remote Sensing of Environment'

20182021

Member of the Mission Advisory Board of the FLEX satellite mission (ESA)

20172023

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