My expertise is remote sensing of the energy, water and carbon cycles on Earth, with a focus on the role of vegetation in these cycles. 

In 2001, I obtained by MSc in Hydrology at Wageningen University (2001), cum laude, and in 2007 my PhD in Earth Sciences at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (2007) with the thesis ‘Climatic Constaints on Cabon Assimilation and Transpiration of sub-Mediterranean forests’.

In my work I develop 'observation models' for satellite remote sensing. These models can reproduce what satellites observe, link these observations to the energy, water and carbon fluxes on Earth. I work with both space agencies who produce data, and scientists and companies who use them.

In 2023 I was recognized as highly cited researcher in the 'cross field domain', after publishing multiple top 1% articles in different scientific disciplines. 

A key tool has been the model ‘Soil-Canopy Observation of Photosynthesis and Energy fluxes’ (SCOPE) model. It contains separate modules for radiative transfer, photosynthesis, energy partitioning and atmospheric turbulence.

I specialized in one remote sensing signal in particular: Solar Induced Chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF), a weak light emitted by plants during their growth.

Computer coding is a large part of my work. I do this for the European Space Agency and for companies. Find the tools that I developed here: https://github.com/christiaanvandertol

• 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