Dr. Chunhua Zhang
Associate Professor
Department of Geography and Geology
Algoma University
1520 Queen Street East
Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario P6A 2G4 Canada
Office: CC 3035 Email: chunhua.zhang@algomau.ca Phone: 705-949-2301 ext 1090
Education
Ph.D., University of Saskatchewan, Canada
M.Sc., Southwest China Normal University, China
B.Sc., Hunan Normal University, China
Research Interests
Remote sensing and GIS applications in monitoring critical ecosystems
Digital change detection of environmental degradation
Landscape Ecology
Current Research
2013-2017: Examining the use of PALSAR-2 for mapping and monitoring
degraded tropical coastal forested wetlands (Co-PI)
Teaching
GEOG 2016--Introduction to Cartography
GEOG 2027--Quantitative Methods in Geography
GEOG 3006--Air Photo Interpretation and Image Analysis
GEOG 3037--Remote Sensing of the Environment
GEOG 3076--Advanced Geographic Information Systems
GEOG 4006--Geographic Information System Research Project
GEOG 4296--Impact Assessment and Resources Management
Selected Publications
Zhang, C., Walters, D, & Kovacs, J.M. In press. The use of small unmanned aerial systems (UASs) in precision agriculture. In Stafford, J. Precision
agriculture for sustainability. Cambridge, UK: Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing
Zhang, C., Qi, X., Wang, K., Zhang, M., Yue, Y. 2017. The application of geospatial techniques in monitoring karst vegetation recovery in southwest
China - a review. Progress in Physical Geography, 41: 450-477 (doi: 10.1177/0309133317714246)
Tong, X., Wang, K., Yue, Y., Brandt, M., Liu, B., Zhang, C., Liao, C., Fensholt, R. 2017. Quantifying the effectiveness of ecological restoration projects on
long term vegetation dynamics in the karst regions of Southwest China. International Journal of Applied Earth Observation & Geoinformation,
Flores-de-Santiago, F., Kovacs, J.M., Wang, J., Flores-Verdugo, F., Zhang, C., & González-Farías, F. 2016. Examining the influence of seasonality,
condition, and species composition on mangrove leaf pigment contents and laboratory based spectroscopy data. Remote Sensing, 8: 226.
(doi: 10.3390/rs8030226)
Wang, J., Wang, K., Zhang, M., Zhang, C. 2015. Impacts of climate change and human activities on vegetation cover in hilly southern China. Ecological
Engineering, 81:451-461. (doi: 10.1016/j.ecoleng.2015.04.022)
Zhang, C., Kovacs, J.M., Liu, Y., Flores-Verdugo, F., & Flores-de-Santiago, F. 2014. Separating mangrove species and conditions using laboratory
condition, and species composition on mangrove leaf pigment contents and laboratory based spectroscopy data. Remote Sensing, 8: 226.
(doi: 10.3390/rs8030226)
Wang, J., Wang, K., Zhang, M., Zhang, C. 2015. Impacts of climate change and human activities on vegetation cover in hilly southern China. Ecological
Engineering, 81:451-461. (doi: 10.1016/j.ecoleng.2015.04.022)
Zhang, C., Kovacs, J.M., Liu, Y., Flores-Verdugo, F., & Flores-de-Santiago, F. 2014. Separating mangrove species and conditions using laboratory
hyperspectral data: a case study of a degraded mangrove forest of the Mexican Pacific. Remote Sensing, 6: 11673-11688
(doi: 10.3390/rs61211673)
Zhang, C., Walters, D, & Kovacs, J.M. 2014. Applications of low altitude remote sensing in agriculture upon farmers' requests - a case study in
Northeastern Ontario, Canada. PLoS ONE, 9: e112894 (doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0112894)
Qi, X., Wang, K., Zhang, C., Chen, H., & Zhang, W. 2014. Effects of the implementation of ecological restoration policies on soil organic carbon
storage in a discontinuous soil region. Acta Agriculture Scandinavica, Section B – Plant Soil Science, 64: 97-108
(doi: 10.1080/09064710.2013.865780)
Wilson, J.H., Zhang, C., & Kovacs, J.M. 2014. Separating crop species in Northeastern Ontario using hyperspectral data. Remote Sensing, 6: 925-945
(doi: 10.3390/rs6020925)
Kovacs, J.M., Jia, X., Flores-de-Santiago, F., Zhang, C., & Flores-Verdugo, F. 2013. Assessing relationships between Radarsat-2 C-band and
structural parameters of a degraded mangrove forest. International Journal of Remote Sensing, 34: 7002-7019
(doi: 10.1080/01431161.2013.813090)
Quan, C., Han, S., Utescher, T., Zhang, C., & Liu, Y.S. 2013. Validation of temperature–precipitation based aridity index: Paleoclimatic implications.
Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 386: 86-95 (doi:10.1016/j.palaeo.2013.05.008)
Kovacs, J.M., Lu, X.X., Flores-de-Santiago, F., Zhang, C., Flores-Verdugo, F., & Jiao, X. 2013. Applications of ALOS PALSAR for monitoring
biophysical parameters of a degraded black mangrove (Avicennia germinans) forest. ISPRS Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing,
82: 102-111 (doi:10.1016/j.isprsjprs.2013.05.004)
Qi, X., Wang, K., & Zhang, C. 2013. Effectiveness of ecological restoration projects in a karst region of southwest China assessed using vegetation
succession mapping. Ecological Engineering, 54: 245-253 (doi: 10.1016/j.ecoleng.2013.01.002)
Zhang, C., Kovacs, J.M., Wachowiak, M.P., & Flores-Verdugo, F. 2013. Relationship between hyperspectral measurements and mangrove leaf
nitrogen concentrations. Remote Sensing, 5: 891-908 (doi: 10.3390/rs5020891)
Zhang, C. & Kovacs, J.M. 2012. The application of small unmanned aerial systems for precision agriculture: A review. Precision Agriculture,
13: 693-712 (doi: 10.1007/s11119-012-9274-5)
Zhang, C., Liu, Y., Kovacs, J.M., Flores-Verdugo, F., Flores-Santiago, F., & Chen, K. 2012. Spectral response to varying levels of leaf pigments
collected from a degraded mangrove forest. Journal of Applied Remote Sensing, 6 (063501): 1-14 (doi: 10.1117/1.JRS.6.063501)
Chen, K., Gunter, C., & Zhang, C. 2012. How global is U.S. Major League Baseball? A geographic perspective. GeoJournal, 77: 429-444
(doi: 10.1007/s10708-011-9406-x)
Kovacs, J. M., Liu, Y., Zhang, C., Flores-Verdugo., F., & Flores-Sandiago, F. 2011. A field based statistical approach for validating a remotely
sensed mangrove forest classification scheme of Isla La Palma, Sinaloa, Mexico. Wetlands Ecology and Management, 19: 409-421
(doi: 10.1007/s11273-011-9225-3)
Zhang, M., Zhang, C., Wang, K., Liu, H., Yue, Y., Qi, X., & Fan, F. 2011. Spatiotemporal variations of Karst ecosystem service values in Northwest
Guangxi, China. Environmental Management, 49: 933-944 (doi: 10.1007/s00267-011-9735-z)
Yang, Q., Wang, K., Zhang, C., Yue, Y., Tian, R., & Fan, F. 2011. Spatio-temporal evolution of rocky desertification and its driving forces in karst
area of Northwest Guangxi, China. Environmental Earth Science, 64: 383-393 (doi: 10.1007/s12665-010-0861-3)
Zhang, M., Wang, K., Zhang, C., Chen, H., Liu, H., Luffman, I., & Qi, X. 2011. Using the radial basis function network model to assess rocky
desertification in Northwest Guangxi, China. Environmental Earth Science, 64: 69-76 (doi: 10.1007/s12665-010- 0498-2)
Kovacs, J.M., Zhang, C., & Flores, F. 2008. Mapping coastal wetland using C-band ENVISAT ASAR and Landsat optical data. Ciencias Marina,
34: 407-418
Zhang, C. & Guo, X. 2008. Monitoring northern mixed grassland health using broadband satellite imagery. International Journal of Remote Sensing,
29: 2257-2271 (doi: 10.1080/01431160701408378)
Zhang, C., Guo, X., & Wilmshurst, J. 2008. Monitoring temporal heterogeneity in a protected mixed grassland ecosystem using 10-day NDVI
composite. Prairie Forum, 33: 145-166
Chen, K., Kennedy, J.,Kovacs, J.M., & Zhang, C. 2007. A spatial perspective for predicting enrollment in a regional pharmacy school. GeoJournal,
70:133-143 Link
Zhang, C. & Guo, X. 2007. Measuring biological heterogeneity in the northern mixed grassland: A remote sensing approach. The Canadian
Geographer, 51: 462-474 Link
Zhang, C., Guo, X., Wilmshurst, J., & Sissons, R. 2006. Application of Radarsat imagery to grassland biophysical heterogeneity assessment.
Canadian Journal of Remote Sensing, 32: 281-287. Link
Professional Affiliations and Services
Member, Canadian Association of Geographers (CAG), American Association of Geographers (AAG)
Reviewer, Applied Geography, Biological Engineering, Canadian Journal of Remote Sensing, Computers and Geosciences, Digital Earth, Geoforum,
Environmental Management, Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, Geoinformatics & Geostatistics, IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing, Hydrology and Earth System Sciences, Journal of Applied Remote Sensing, Journal of Environmental Management, Journal of
Mountain Science, Journal of Unmanned Vehicle Systems, Landscape and Urban Planning, Marine Geodesy, Photogrammetric Engineering and
Remote Sensing, PLOS ONE, Remote Sensing, Remote Sensing of Environment, Sensors, Wetlands.