Jitse Bijlmakers

Jitse Bijlmakers is a Junior Assistant Professor in Environmental Sciences at the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University. His work focuses on the intersection of water systems and wildlife conservation using advanced remote sensing techniques.

His research interests include:

• Remote sensing of vegetation and ecosystems
• Fluvial systems and hydrology
• Landscape ecology and ecohydrology
• Physical geography and geographic information science

Bijlmakers investigates water-animal relationships through satellite remote sensing, specifically examining how river flow sustains terrestrial wildlife. His research has practical applications in conservation efforts, including preliminary work for tiger conservation initiatives in Nepal's Bardia National Park.

His recent publication in Biogeosciences (2023) explores environmental drivers of floodplain vegetation dynamics as habitat for megafauna. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to environmental sustainability and biodiversity conservation.

As an educator, Bijlmakers contributes to the Global Sustainability Science program, teaching courses including Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ecohydrology, and Global Climate Change.