Research Centers

Remote Sensing Lab

The Remote Sensing Laboratory is located in the Department of Earth and Environmental Studies (EAES). Research activities in the lab are sponsored by NASA. Current projects to use data from NASA's Earth Observing System satellite instruments to map forest and shrubs in desert grasslands in the southwestern US and in Arctic tundra.

Remote Sensing Lab
choppingm@montclair.edu
973-655-7384
CELS 312
sunset from orbit

Previous projects sought to exploit data from the Compact High Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (CHRIS) flown on the Proba satellite (sponsored by the European Space Agency).

A research focus is the use of data from the unique NASA/JPL Multiangle Imaging Spectro-Radiometer (MISR), including cutting-edge work on mapping canopy height as well as crown cover; and mapping woody plant cover and community type in desert grasslands and Arctic tundra.

The Lab's members have included faculty, post-doctoral research associates, and graduate and undergraduate students.

Ex-Denizens

Relevant courses include

  • EAES 311 Fundamentals of Remote Sensing of the Environment (undergraduate)
  • EAES 511 Fundamentals of Remote Sensing of the Environment (graduate)
  • EAES 611 Advanced Environmental Remote Sensing and Image Processing (graduate)
  • EAES 210 Introduction to GIS and Remote Sensing (2 hours lecture, 2 hours lab )
  • EAES 310 Geographic Information Systems (GIS) (3 hours lab)
  • EAES 410 Advanced Topics in GIScience (3 hours lecture)
  • EAES 610 Spatial Analysis
  • EAES 710 Advanced Geographic Information Systems
  • Graduate Certificate Program in Geographic Information Science
  • Independent Study at various levels.

Research

heights graph

Purple line: MISR/SGM forest canopy height (m) 
Blue line: US Forest Service Canopy Height (m)
random samples, screened for topographic shading

It's important to note that the Forest Service and MISR/GO maps were made using completely different methods. The MISR/GO estimates of fractional woody plant cover and canopy height are not calibrated or scaled, relying only on the geometric-optical model adjusted against MISR data.

Support

Results

  • Cortés, I.M., Lorenzo-Trueba, J., Rovai, A.S., Twilley, R.R., Fatoyinbo, T., and Chopping, M. (2024). Net evaporation-induced mangrove area loss across low-lying Caribbean islands, Environmental Research: Climate 3 045004. DOI: 10.1088/2752-5295/ad6473.
  • Chopping, M., D. Radakovic, R. Duchesne-Onoro, Z. Wang, and C. Schaaf (2021). An integrated CANAPANI and deep learning-based high resolution approach for mapping shrubs in Alaskan and Canadian Arctic tundra, NASA ABoVE 7th Science Team Meeting, virtual only, May 11 & 13, 2021.
  • Chopping, M., Wang, Z., Bull, M., Schaaf, C., Bull. M.A., and Duchesne, R. (2020). Forest aboveground biomass in the Southwestern U.S. from a MISR multi-angle index, 2000 – 2015, AGU Fall Meeting 2020. Session GC004: Immense Pressures and High Expectations: Managing Forest Ecosystems for Multiple Benefits Under Human Activities, Climate Change, and Disturbance II Posters (virtual poster).
  • Chopping, M., Bull, M., Wang, Z., and Duchesne, R. (2020). MISR, radar, and lidar synergies in biomass mapping, 2020 MISR Science Team meeting, Pasadena, CA, February 12-13, 2020 (talk + poster).
  • Chopping, M.J. , R. Duchesne-Onoro, M. Wehmas, A. Erb, Z. Wang, C. Schaaf, K. Tape, and C. Chopping (2019). Tests of tall shrub mapping in Arctic tundra with CANAPI variants and LVIS heights, 2019 NASA Terrestrial Ecology Science Team Meeting, College Park, MD, Sept. 22 – 25 (poster presentation).
  • Schaaf, C., A. Elmes, A. Erb, Z. Wang, Z. Li, D. Hall, B. Rogers, S.Healey, M. Chopping, P. Boucher (2019). North American boreal and temperate albedo products at a range of spatial resolutions from MODIS, VIIRS, Landsat-8, and Sentinel-2, 2019 NASA Terrestrial Ecology Science Team Meeting, College Park, MD, Sept. 22 – 25 (poster presentation).
  • Chopping, M., R. Duchesne-Onoro, Z. Wang, A. Erb, C. Schaaf, K. Tape, C. Chopping (2019). Improved Tall Shrub Mapping in Arctic Tundra with CANAPAMI. NASA ABoVE Science Team #5 (ASTM5), San Diego, CA, May 20 – 23 2019 (poster presentation).
  • Cortes, I., Lorenzo-Trueba, J., Twilley, R., Rovai, A., and Chopping, M., (2019). Net Evaporation Rates and Mangrove Island Morphology: Caribbean Examples, Proceedings of the American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting 2019, San Francisco, 9–13 December, 2019.
  • Duchesne, R.R., Chopping. M.J. Tape, K.D. Wang, Z., Schaaf, C. (2018). Changes in tall shrub abundance on the North Slope of Alaska, 2000 – 2010, Remote Sensing of Environment 219: 221–232.
  • Bao, G., Chen, J., Chopping, M., Tuyaa, A., Dorjsurene, A., Bayarsaikane, S., Bao, Y., Jirigalaf, B., and Qing, Z. (2018), Dynamics of net primary productivity on the Mongolian Plateau: Joint regulations of phenology and drought, Int J Appl Earth Obs Geoinformation 81: 85–97.
  • Cortes, I., Lorenzo-Trueba, J., Twilley, R., Rovai, A., and Chopping, M., (2018). Exploring the role of evaporation and precipitation on mangrove island morphology, Proceedings of the American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting 2018, Washington, D.C., 10–14 December, 2018.
  • Chopping, M., Wang, Z., Schaaf, C.B., and Bull, M. (2025), Forest Biomass in the Southwestern U.S. from MISR and GEDI: Assessment with NASA Carbon Monitoring System Data, American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, Session B34C: Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Forest Disturbance and Recovery II Oral, abstract ID: 1989798, December 17, 2025.
  • Chopping, M., Wang, Z., Schaaf, C.B., and Bull, M. (2025), Forest biomass in the southwestern U.S. from spaceborne and airborne remote sensing, Middle States Division of the Association of American Geographers 2025 Annual Meeting, Montclair State University, November 14-15, 2025 (presenter).
  • Radakovic, D., and Chopping, M.J. (2025). A deep learning-based approach for mapping tall shrubs in Arctic tundra from high-resolution satellite data, 11th ABoVE Science Team Meeting, May 12-15, 2025. Fairbanks, Alaska (presenter: Darko Radakovic).
  • Radakovic, D., and Chopping, M.J. (2024). Tall shrub expansion as a driver of rapid permafrost loss in thermokarst lakes, American Geophysical Union Fall meeting, Washington, DC, December 11, 2024 (presenter: Darko Radakovic).
  • Radakovic, D., Chopping, M., Duchesne, R., Erb, A., Wang, Z., and Schaaf, C. (2024). A deep learning-based approach for mapping tall shrubs in Arctic tundra, American Association of Geographers annual meeting, Honolulu, HI, April 16-20, 2024 (presenter: Darko Radakovic).
  • Chopping, M. (2024). Forest biomass with the NASA, JPL MISR: Validation with NASA lidar-derived estimates, April 15, 2024, Presentation for the Montclair State University Sustainability Seminar series. [abstract]
  • Chopping, M.J., Wang, Z., Bull, M., and Schaaf, C. (2023), Forest biomass in the southwestern U.S. at 1 kilometer scale from MISR and GEDI: Assessment with NASA Carbon Monitoring System data, oral presentation and poster for the 2023 NASA MISR Science Team Meeting, 12/20/23. Pasadena, CA.
  • Chopping, M.J., Radakovic, D., Erb, A., Duchesne, R., Wang, Z., and Schaaf, C. (2023), Mapping Shrub Abundance in Arctic Tundra from the Satellite High Resolution Record and Impacts on Albedo: Validation, Poster Session 2: Wed (May 10) 5:15-7:15 PM. [abstract] [poster] NASA Carbon Cycle & Ecosystems Joint Science Workshop. May 8 – 12, 2023, College Park, MD.
  • Chopping, M.J., Wang, Z., Bull, M., Schaaf, C., and Duchesne, R. (2023), Two Decades of Changes in Forest Aboveground Biomass in the Southwestern United States from MISR on Terra. Poster Session 3: Thu (May 11) 3:00-5:00 PM: [abstract] [poster]. NASA Carbon Cycle & Ecosystems Joint Science Workshop. May 8 – 12, 2023, College Park, MD.
  • Radakovic, D. and Chopping, M. J. (2023). A deep learning-based approach for mapping tall shrubs in Arctic tundra, Poster Session 3: Thu (May 11) 3:00-5:00 PM [abstract] [poster]. NASA Carbon Cycle & Ecosystems Joint Science Workshop. May 8 – 12, 2023, College Park, MD.
  • Chopping, M.J., Radakovic, D., Erb, A., Duchesne, R., Wang, Z., and Schaaf, C. (2023), Mapping shrub abundance in arctic tundra from the satellite high resolution record and impacts on albedo: validation, poster presentation, 9th ABoVE Science Team Meeting, San Diego, CA, 23 – 36 January, 2023 (abstract + poster).
  • Radakovic, D., Chopping, M.J., Duchesne, R., Erb, A., Wang, Z., Schaaf, C., and Ken Tape (2023), A Deep Learning-Based Approach for Mapping Tall Shrubs in Arctic Tundra, poster presentation, 9th ABoVE Science Team Meeting, San Diego, CA, 23 – 36 January, 2023 (abstract + poster).
  • Chopping, M., Bull, M., Wang, Z., Schaaf, C., and Duchesne, R. (2022), Quantifying Carbon Losses from Forest Disturbance over Decades with NASA’s Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR), EUMETSAT Second GCOS Climate Observation Conference, 10/17/22 presentation in session “TOPIC 1 – Space and ground-based networks and observing systems – how to address improvements to better meet user needs – Terrestrial Observations”, Darmstadt, Germany, 17-19 October, 2022.
  • Radakovic, D., M. Chopping, D. R. Duchesne-Onoro, Z. Wang, and C. Schaaf (2022). An integrated CANAPANI and deep learning-based approach for mapping tall shrubs in Arctic tundra, NASA ABoVE 8th Science Team Meeting, virtual only, May 9 – 13, 2022.
  • Chopping, M., D. Radakovic, R. Duchesne-Onoro, Z. Wang, and C. Schaaf (2021). An integrated CANAPANI and deep learning-based high resolution approach for mapping shrubs in Alaskan and Canadian Arctic tundra, NASA ABoVE 7th Science Team Meeting, virtual only, May 11 & 13, 2021.
  • Chopping, M., Wang, Z., Bull, M., Schaaf, C., Bull. M.A., and Duchesne, R. (2020). Forest aboveground biomass in the Southwestern U.S. from a MISR multi-angle index, 2000 – 2015, AGU Fall Meeting 2020. Session GC004: Immense Pressures and High Expectations: Managing Forest Ecosystems for Multiple Benefits Under Human Activities, Climate Change, and Disturbance II 12/07/20 (virtual).
  • Cortés, I., Lorenzo-Trueba, J., Twilley, R., Rovai, A., and Chopping, M., (2019). Net Evaporation Rates and Mangrove Island Morphology: Caribbean Examples, AGU Fall Meeting 2019, San Francisco, 9-13 December, 2019.
  • Cortés, I., Lorenzo-Trueba, J., Twilley, R., Rovai, A., and Chopping, M., (2018). Exploring the role of evaporation and precipitation on mangrove island morphology, AGU Fall Meeting 2018, Washington, D.C., 10-14 December, 2018.
  • Chopping, M., Wang, Z., Bull, M., Schaaf, C., Bull. M.A., and Duchesne, R. (2021). Forest aboveground biomass in the Southwestern U.S. from a MISR multi-angle index, 2000 – 2015. Submitted.
  • Bao, G. Jin, H., Tong, S., Chen, J. Huang, X., Bao, Y., Shao, C., Mandakh, U., Chopping, M. and Du, L. (2020), Autumn phenology and its covariation with climate, spring phenology and annual peak growth on the Mongolian Plateau, Agricultural and Forest Meteorology, Volumes 298–299, 2021, 108312, ISSN 0168-1923.
  • Jin, H., Bao, G., Chen, J., Chopping, M., Jin, E., Mandakh, U., Jiang, K., Huang, X., Bao, Y., and Vandansambuu, B. (2019). Modifying the maximal light use efficiency for enhancing predictions of vegetation net primary productivity on the Mongolian Plateau, Intl. Journal of Remote Sensing, 41:10, 3740-3760.
  • Chopping, M., Bull, M., Wang, Z., and Duchesne, R. (2019), Mapping Forests of the Southwestern United States using MISR, 2019 MISR Science Team meeting, Pasadena, CA, February 12-13, 2019 (talk + poster).
  • Chopping, M., Bull, M., Wang, Z., and Duchesne, R. (2018), Changes in Forests of the Southwestern United States from MISR, 2000 – 2015, NASA MISR Science Team Meeting, Beckman Institute Auditorium, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, February 14-15, 2018.
  • Chopping, M., Duchesne, R., Erb, A, Wang, Z., Schaaf, C., and Chopping, C. (2018), CANAPANI: A New Version of CANAPI for Mapping Tall Shrub Canopies in Arctic Tundra, NASA Arctic Boreal Vulnerability Experiment (ABoVE) Science Team Meeting, Seattle, WA, January 22 – 26, 2018.
  • Chopping, M., Bull, M., Wang, Z., and Duchesne, R. (2016), Fifteen years of changes in the forests of the Southwestern United States as seen by MISR, NASA MISR Science Team Meeting, Beckman Institute Auditorium, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, December 8-9, 2016 (talk+poster).
  • Chopping, M., Wang, Z., Bull, M., North, M., and Duchesne, R. (2016), Trajectories of change in the American Southwest from MISR, NASA MISR Science Team Meeting, Beckman Institute Auditorium, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, February 18-19, 2016  (talk+poster).