Robert John Zomer, Ph.D.

Post-Doctoral Fellow
Landscape and Systems Ecology
Center for Spatial Technologies and Remote Sensing
University of California, Davis
rjzomer@ucdavis.edu

 

Summary

Landscape and systems ecologist, with broad background in both forest and agricultural ecology, and advanced skills in statistical analysis, GIS, remote sensing, and landscape level spatial analysis.  Special interests include biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, participatory approaches to community development, protected-area management, and mountain landscapes.

Education   

Post-Doctoral Research Fellow  -  1998 - 2000:   Center for Spatial Technologies and Remote Sensing (CSTARS) - 
    Dr. Susan Ustin - Land, Air and Water Resources, University  of California, Davis.

Ph.D. - Ecology, University of California , Davis.  1998.
Dissertation: Landscape Ecology of the Makalu-Barun National Park and Conservation Area, Nepal

Master of Science: Ecology, University of California, Davis, 1992
  Thesis: A Model Agroforestry System for the Mid-Hills of Nepal:   Himalayan Alder - Large Cardamom Plantations.
         
Bachelor of Science: International Agricultural Development - Plant Science Emphasis
  University of California, Davis, 1984.


Current and Recent Research 

Agricultural productivity and plant canopy analysis using hyperspectral (HYMAP) remote sensing data:  Barrax Exp. Field Station, Spain.
Spectral data collection and analysis within a variety of crops.  In collaboration with the University of Valencia, Spain, as part of the European Space Agency sponsored Barrax Campaign.

Vegetation mapping and detection of organic contamination within wetlands using using hyperspectral (HYMAP) remote sensing techniques:
Spectral data collection and analysis of wetland sites adjacent to oil refineries, two sites in northern Califoria and two sites along the Gulf Coast (Texas and Mississippi).

Fire ecology of mediterrean plant communties in the Santa Monica Mountains using hyperspectral (AVIRIS) remote sensing techniques:  
Analysis of plant biomass productivity, interannual seasonality, and fire ecology.  Advanced remote sensing techniques for plant community analysis using hyperspectral data.

Landscape Ecology of the Makalu-Barun National Park of Eastern Nepal
Plant community ecology, including extensive vegetation sampling experience in habitats ranging from tropical forest to alpine meadow, multivariate statistical analysis, direct gradient analysis, habitat modeling.   Remote sensing of vegetation, DEM extraction, imagery analysis and classification of Landsat TM data.  Application of remote sensing in high mountains.
 
Agroforestry: Site Index and Biomass Productivity Estimates for Himalayan Alder - Large Cardamom Plantations in Eastern Nepal.
Vegetation sampling, non-linear and multiple regression techniques, socio-economic survey and analysis.


Publications   

Moyle, P.B., Kattelmann, R., Zomer, R., and P. Randall, 1996. Management of Riparian Areas in the Sierra Nevada. Sierra Nevada Ecosystem Project: Final report to Congress, vol. iii. Assessments, Commisoned Reports, and Background Information. Davis, University of California, Center for Water and Wildland Resources.

Carpenter, C. and R. Zomer, 1996. Forest Ecology of the Makalu-Barun National Park and Conservation Area, Nepal. Mountain Research and Development 16 (2): 135-148.

Zomer, R. and J. Menke, 1993. Site Index and Biomass Productivity Estimates for Himalayan Alder - Large Cardamom Plantations: A Model Agroforestry System of the Eastern Mid-Hills of Nepal. Mountain Research and Development 13 (3): 235-255.

Zomer, R. ,C. Carpenter , S. Ustin,  J. Ives  (In Prep).   Tropical Riparian Corridors of the Middle Hills Of Eastern Nepal:  Structure, composition and dynamics of low elevation forest within the Makalu-Barun Conservation Area.  Phytocoenologia.

Zomer, R.  S. Ustin, J. Ives  (In Press).    Remote Sensing for Rapid Ecological Assessment in Mountain Environments:  Landscape Analysis of the Makalu Barun Natinal Park and Conservation Area, Nepal.  Int. J. of Rem. Sens.

Zomer, R., and S. Ustin (In Press).     Land Cover Change Along Tropical and Subtropical Riparian Corridors Within the Makalu-Barun National Park and Conservation Area, Nepal.  Mountain Research and Development.
 

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