Join us for cutting edge research in GIScience and geomatics engineering.

Xianfeng Zhang, Ph.D. Research Scientist Associate Professor Institute of Remote Sensing and GIS Peking University E-mail: xfzhang@pku.edu.cn   Research Interests   My professional and academic background is in the use of remote sensing in ecology, hyperspectral remote sensing data processing   and information extraction, spatial data assimilation, and multivariate visualization and my research can be characterized as an   integration of ecology, remote sensing and data assimilation. I am particularly interested in the use of remote sensing data in the   quantitative retrieval of ecological and environmental variables, such as soil moisture, NPP, biomass, vegetation coverage, and   modeling land surface processes using a data assimilation strategy. My ongoing research projects focus on ecological monitoring and   developing robust models for the retrieval of sensitive ecological parameters (e.g. soil moisture, NPP, vegetation coverage) using   reflective and microwave remote sensing and a data assimilation approach.   Professional and Societal Positions    • Member of the Scientific Committee of ISPRS SPRS Gi4DM    • Correspondence Member of the CMSI, International Cartographic Association (ICA)    • Ecological and Environmental Sciences    • Introduction to Earth Science(I)    • Deputy Director of PKU-CSU Joint Laboratory for Ecological Remote Sensing    • Member of the Editorial Board of IJABE    • Adjunct Professor of the Joint Laboratory of Remote Sensing for Archaeology, China    • Adjunct Professor, University of Sichuan, China    • Deputy Director, Center for Spatial Data Study, Institute of Digital Earth, Peking University    • Secretary-General, Second International Conference on the Earth Observation for Global Changes (EOGC2009)   Teaching and Courses    • Remote Sensing for Ecological and Environmental Studies    • Advances in Geographical Science    • Ecological and Environmental Sciences    • Introduction to Earth Science(I)    • Hyperspectral Remote Sensing   Education    • 2005, Ph.D. in Remote Sensing and GIS, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada    • 2000, Ph.D. Cartography and GIS, Institute of Remote Sensing Applications, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China    • 1993, M.Sc. in Remote Sensing and GIS, Peking University, China    • 1990, B.Sc. in Geography, Beijing Normal University, China   Work Experience    • 2006-present: Associate Professor, School of Earth and Space Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China    • 2000-2005: Research Associate, Department of Geography, University of Western Ontario, Landon, Ontario, Canada    • 1993-2000: Research Associate, Institute of Remote Sensing Applications, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China   Research Project    • Xinjiang Ecological and Environmental Monitoring and Service System Development, Key Project of Ministry of Science and      Technology, China, Principal investigator, 2007-2010.    • Integrated Use of MODIS and MASR_E Satellite Data in the Soil Moisture Retrieval, 863 Project of Ministry of Science and      Technology, China, Principal investigator, 2008-2010.    • Visualization System Development for Oceanic Remote Sensing Data, funded by National Satellite Ocean Application Service, China,      Principal investigator, 2008-2009.    • Orthorectification of Beijing-1 Small Satellite DMC Data of Beijing City 2008, funded by Beijing Center for Information Resource      Management, China, Principal investigator, 2007-2008.    • Limon Urban land use change mapping using high spatial resolution remote sensing data. World Bank Project, co-investigator,      2003-2004.    • Multivariate Geospatial Data visualization Using Icon Map Technique, funded by Defense Science and Technology Laboratory,      Ministry of Defense, U.K., Co-investigator, 2001 to 2002.    • Multiple Criteria Decision Support System of Agricultural Structure Adjustment, Key Project of Ministry of Science and Technology,      China, Principal investigator, 2000-2001.    • Dynamic monitoring of land resources in Baotou City based on Remote Sensing and GIS and GPS, Co-investigator, 1996-2000.    • Vehicle-carrying Anti-stealing and anti-robbing system using GIS and GPS technology", system design and demanding analysis,      Co-investigator, 1997-2000.    • Pilot project on comprehensive development planning in Arid Zone of Central Myanmar using integrated remote sensing and GIS      approach", financed by the Environment and Natural Resources Management Division, United Nations (Thailand), Co-investigator,      1997-1999.   Publications      Referred Journal Papers    • Zhang, X, S. Song, T. Li, 2009. IconMap Visualization Technique and Its Application to the Analysis of Soil Nutrients. Journal of      Wuhan University (Information Science Edition), 34(9):1025-1029.    • Li, Y., Zhang, X., 2009. Comparison and Daytime Cloud Detection from MODIS Data Using a Threshold Rule Based Approach. Acta      Scientiarum Naturalium Universitatis Pekinensis, 45 (6): 1003-1011.    • Zhang, X., and M. Pazner, 2007. Comparison of Lithologic Mapping with ASTER, Hyperion and ETM Data in the southeastern      Chocolate Mountains, USA. Photogrammetric Engineering and Remote Sensing, 73 (5): 555-561.    • Zhang, X., M. Pazner, Norman Duke, 2007. Lithologic and Mineral Information Extraction for Gold Exploration Using ASTER Data in      the South Chocolate Mountains (California).    • Zhang, X., M. Pazner, 2006. Preprocessing, Feature Extraction and Lithologic Mapping Using EO-1 Hyperion Data. Journal of      Image and Graphics, No. 6.    • Cui, W, Zhang, X., 2006. The study of Temporal Geographical Information System (TGIS). Shanghai Measurement and Testing,      33(4): 6-12.    • Zhang, X., Pazner, M., 2004. Icon Imagemap Technique for Multivariate Geospatial Data Visualization: Approach and Software      System. International Journal of Cartography and Geographic Information Science, 31 (1): 29-41.    • Cui, W., Niu, Z., Zhang, H., Liu, D., Zhang, X., 2003. Information Networks for Sustainable Development in the National Sustainable      Development Experiment Regions, Geo-Information Science, 5(2): 63-70.    • Cui, W., Zhang, X., 2002. Study on Dynamic Monitoring and Dynamic Simulating of Land Resource. Geo-Information Science, 4(1):      79-85.    • Zhang, X., 2001. Integrating GIS and spatial statistics to establish new approach for sustainable development quantitative       evaluation -taking Myingyan District of Myanmar as pilot study. Chinese Journal of Remote Sensing. 5(1), Beijing.    • Zhang, X., Cui W., 2000. CA-Based Dynamic Simulation Model. China Image and Graph Transaction, 5(12), Beijing.    • Zhang, X., 2001. Coupling GIS and CA model to establish new method for spatio-temporal process modeling and prediction. ACTA      Geodaetica et /Cartographica Sinica. 30 (2).    • Zhang, X., Cui W., 2000. Using differential GPS to establish new approach for collecting dynamic and high accurate land use      change data. Geo-Science Progress. 15(5): 609-613, Lanzhou.    • Zhang, X., 2000. CA-based urban expansion dynamic simulation and prediction. Graduate School Transaction of China Scientific &      Technological University. No 12.    • Zhang X., Cui W., 2000. The Application of DGPS technology in cadastral survey and mapping. Bulletin for Surveying and Mapping.      6(2000): 4-6: Beijing.      Conference Papers    • Zhang, X., Sun, Q., Li, J., 2009. Optimal band selection for high dimensional remote sensing data using genetic algorithm. SPIE      Proceedings, EOGC2009, Chengdu, 25-29, 2009.    • Song, S., Zhang, X., Sun, Q., 2009. Characterization of the dynamics of vegetation covers in Shihezi area (Xinjiang) using MODIS      data. SPIE Proceedings, EOGC2009, Chengdu, 25-29, 2009.    • Jiang, M., Zhang, X., Tong, Q., 2009. Monitoring and evaluation of desertification in Shihezi area using Landsat TM imagery. SPIE      Proceedings, EOGC2009, Chengdu, 25-29, 2009.    • Tang, J., Zhang, X., Chen, X., Zhang, J., 2009. Data oriented composite kernel based support vector machine (DOCKSVM) - a      potential tool for remote sens/, Shi, Q., Gao, W., 2009. Investigations on methods of land cover classification of TM image in mountain      area. SPIE Proceedings, EOGC2009, Chengdu, 25-29, 2009.    • Wei, W., Zhang, X., Chen, X., Tang, J., Jiang, M., 2008. Wetland mapping using subpixel analysis and decision tree classification in      the yellow river delta area. IAPRS, 37(B7): 667-670.    • Zhang, X., M. Pazner, 2007. An icon-based co-visualization technique for multivariate geospatial data. 7th International Workshop      on Geographical Information System IWGIS'07, Sept. 14-15, Beijing, pp. 310-315.    • Tao, Y., Zhang, X., Chen, X., Huang, Z., Wu C., 2006. Mangrove type classification using airborne hyperspectral images at Futian      Reservation, Shenzhen, China. IEEE International Conference on Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (IGARSS), Dever,      Colorado, July 31- August 4, pp. 3451 - 3454.    • Zhang, Q., Zhang, X., Chen, X., Zhou, K., Chen X., Zhao, H., 2006. Ecological capital assessment and analyses of dynamic      changes in arid area. IEEE International Conference on Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (IGARSS), Dever, Colorado,      July 31- August 4, pp. 679 - 682.    • Sui, J., Zhang, X., Zhao, J., Huang, Z., Tao, Y., 2006. Data processing and analysis of EGNOS trial in China area. IEEE      International Conference on Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (IGARSS), Dever, Colorado, July 31- August 4,      pp. 2907 - 2910.    • Huang, Z., Zhang, X., Chen, X., Sui, J., 2006. An event oriented approach for spatial temporal data. IEEE International Conference      on Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (IGARSS), Dever, Colorado, July 31- August 4, pp. 2840 - 2843.    • Wu, H., Chen, X., Zhang, X., 2006. A Cellular Automata based distributed model for simulating runoff in LeAnhe watershed. IGARSS,      Dever, Colorado, July 31- August 4, pp. 1040 - 1043.    • Nie, Y., Zhang, X., Yang, L., Wang, C., 2006. Pilot Study of the Use of Beijing-1 Small Satellite Data in the Great Wall Inventory.      Proceedings of Annual Conference of Chinese National Commission of Remote Sensing: New Earth Observation Technology and Its      Applications, 11-14 August, Lanzhou, China, pp. 191-203.    • Zhang, X., M. Pazner, Y. Nie, 2005. Alteration mineral information extraction and visualization from ASTER Data. 9th International      Symposium on Physical Measurements and Signature in Remote Sensing (ISPMSRS), Beijing, China, Oct. 17-19.    • Zhang, X., M. Pazner, 2005. Use of satellite hyperspectral data to identify gold-associated lithologies, The CAG Annual Meeting,      London (ON).    • Pazner, M., E. Dwyer and Zhang, X., 2005. A geospatial approach for searching for gold, The CAG Annual Meeting, London (ON).    • Pazner M, Zhang, X. 2003. Geographic spaces, network of experts [N/X] Meeting and Workshop on Information Visualization      Needs for Intelligence and Counter-Terror, A workshop organized under the patronage of the NATO Research and Technology      Organization, Information Systems Technology Panel (IST), Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, USA, March 10-11.    • Zhang, X., Iannuzzi, L., and Malczewski, J., 2002. Integrating genetic algorithms with arcview/extensions for spatial optimization      problem. Canadian Association of Geographers, Ontario Division, October, London (ON).    • Zhang, X., 2001. Integrating GIS with cellular automaton to establish spatio-temporal dynamic simulation approach. International      Symposium on Remote Sensing 2001, Oct. 31 to Nov. 2, Jeju-do, Korea.    • Zhang, X., Cui W., 2000. Three-S based dynamic monitoring of land resource and CA based simulation of urban evolution.      Proceedings of International Conference of Agricultural Information & Engineering, Beijing.      Books    • Zhang, X., Li, J., Liu, G., Yang, X., (eds.), 2009. Remote Sensing of Earth Surface Changes. SPIE Proceedings of EOGC2009,      vol. 7471, USA.    • Cui, W., Zhang, X., Tao, Y. 1995. Spatial Decision Support System for Regional Sustainable Development. Yuhang Publishing      House, Beijing, China    To top