
I am an entomologist interested in freshwater diversity and conservation with a main focus on dragonflies and damselflies.
Keywords
Conservation, dragonflies, damselflies, freshwater, Dutch Caribbean, Indonesia, Surinam
Researchinterest
Freshwater habitats such as rivers, brooks and lakes are among the most attractive landscapes our planet has on offer. Although these habitats are on a global scale relatively scarce, they are nonetheless of vital importance for biodiversity. Climate change combined with the ever-increasing demand for fresh water by humans will put severe pressure on the biodiversity of these habitats. My work aims at describing and understanding patterns and changes in freshwater biodiversity. I do so by working on the taxonomy, distribution and phylogeny of the most beautiful of all insects: dragonflies and damselflies.
In addition, I work on facilitating the work of citizens scientist and volunteer experts by contributing to the development of image- and sound recognition and by organising citizens scientist expeditions.


Currenttopics
A selection of the topics I am currently working on.

Dragonfly & Damselfly diversity

Bhutan biodiversity project

ARISE: knowing Nature in the Netherlands
Stichting Fonds Pontium for systematic zoology
Keypublications
- Boudot JP & VJ Kalkman (2015). Atlas of the European dragonflies and damselflies. KNNV-Publishing, the Netherlands
- Cuppen JGM, VJ Kalkman, G Tacoma-Krist (2017). Verspreiding, biotoop en fenologie van de Nederlandse lieveheersbeestjes (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). Entomologische Berichten 77: 147-187
- Kalkman VJ, JP Boudot, R Bernard, G De Knijf, F Suhling, T Termaat (2018). Diversity and conservation of European dragonflies and damselflies (Odonata). Hydrobiologia 811: 269-282
- Kalkman VJ, KDB Dijkstra, RA Dow, FR Stokvis, J van Tol (2018). Out of Australia: the Argiolestidae reveal the Melanesian arc system and East Papua composite terrane as possible ancient dispersal routes to the Indo-Australian archipelago. International journal of odonatology 21: 1-14
- Orr B & VJ Kalkman (2015). Field Guide to the dragonflies of New Guinea. Brachytron 17: 3-156
In themedia
From 16 June (Sunday evening 9 p.m.) the Tower will be broadcast on NPO with a leading role for our work in Bhutan in the first episode. View the trailer of the series
Volkskrant: Ontwikkeling automatische cameraval voor insecten
Bionieuws: Beeldherkenning en veldbiologie
