• EducationOpen or Close

    ¶. Ph.D. (Geography), University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA, 2008.

    ¶. M.S. (Geography), Institute of Geographic Sicences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, China, 2000.

    ¶. B.E. (Geology), Changchun University of Science and Technology (now Jilin University), Jilin, China, 1997

  • Professional PositionsOpen or Close

    ¶. 08/2014~present, Associate Professor, Department of Geography, Western Illinois University

    ¶. 08/2008~05/2014, Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, Western Illinois University

    ¶. 08/2003~05/2008, Graduate School Research Assistant/Graduate Teaching Assistant, Department of Geography, University of Georgia.

    ¶. 08/2000~05/2003, Assistant Research Scientist, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, CAS, China.

  • TeachingOpen or Close

    ¶. GIS 509 GIS Analysis

    ¶. GIS 408G Environmental GIS

    ¶. GIS 404G Advanced Quantitative Methods

    ¶. GIS 403G Advanced Remote Sensing

    ¶. GIS 202 Principles of GIS

    ¶. GIS 108 Digital Earth

    ¶. GEOG 121 Planet Earth: Surface Processes and Interactions

    ¶. GEOG 110 World Regional Geography

  • Research InterestsOpen or Close

    ¶. GIS and Remote Sensing applications in karst landscapes and mesoscale ocean eddies.

    ¶. Proxy climate records from stalagmites.

  • Research Grants Open or Close

    ¶. National Science Foundation, Collaborative research: “Continuous, high-resolution stalagmite record of late-Holocene climate from a precisely datable and readily sampled stalagmite from Madagascar.” 2016. (with L.B. Railsback, G.A. Brook from University of Georgia). Not Funded.

    ¶. Western Illinois University, University Research Council Grant, “Vegetative responses to karst topography and their usefulness for early drought detection.” 2015-2016. Funded, $ 4,687.

    ¶. Western Illinois University, URC Grant. Geomorphological Mapping of Karst Landforms in South China from Digital Elevation Models and Remote Sensing Imagery. 2010-2011. $ 4,880

    ¶. National Science Foundation Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grant (BCS-0623407), “Monsoonal Climate of China and the Southeastern USA during the Late Pleistocene and Holocene.” 2006-2007 (with G.A. Brook), $12,000.

  • PublicationsOpen or Close

    GIS & Remote Sensing

    ¶. Yi, J., Du, Y., Liang F., & Zhou, C. 2017. An auto‐tracking algorithm for mesoscale eddies using global nearest neighbor filter. Limnology and Oceanography: Methods, 15(3), 276-290.

    ¶. Lu, Q., Ning, J., Liang F., & Bi, X. 2017. Evaluating the Effects of Government Policy and Drought from 1984 to 2009 on Rangeland in the Three Rivers Source Region of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Sustainability, 9(6), 1033.

    ¶. Yi, J., Du, Y., Zhou, C., Liang F., and Yuan, M. 015. Automatic identification of oceanic multieddy structures from satellite altimeter datasets. Selected Topics in Applied IEEE Journal of Earth Observations and Remote Sensing 8, 1555–1563.

    ¶. Wei, H., Du, Y., Liang F., Zhou, C., Liu, Z., Yi, J., Xu, K., and Wu, D. 2015. A k-d tree-based algorithm to parallelize Kriging interpolation of big spatial data. GIScience & Remote Sensing 52, 40–57.

    ¶. Li, C., Du, Y., Liang F., Yi, J., and Lakhan, V.C. 2015. A GIS-based method for depicting the characteristics of mesoscale eddies: a case study in the Northern South China Sea. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences 52, 1–11.

    ¶. Liang F., Du Y., Ge Y., Li C. 2014. A quantitative morphometric comparison of cockpit and doline karst landforms. Journal of Geographical Science 24(6) : 1069-1082

    ¶. Liang F., Xu B. 2014. Discrimination of tower-, cockpit-, and non-karst landforms in Guilin, Southern China, based on morphometric characteristics. Geomorphology 204 : 42–48. DOI: 10.1016/j.geomorph.2013.07.026

    ¶. Liang F., Du Y. 2013. An automated method to extract typical karst landform entities from contour lines on topographic maps. Proceedings of Geomorphometry 2013 International Conference: 46-49, Nanjing China.

    ¶. Yi J, Du Y, Liang F., Zhou C, Wu D, Mo Y. 2014. A representation framework for studying spatiotemporal changes and interactions of dynamic geographic phenomena. International Journal of Geographical Information Science 28 : 1010–1027. DOI: 10.1080/13658816.2014.890201

    ¶. Du Y, Yi J, Wu D, He Z, Wang, D, Liang F. 2014. Mesoscale oceanic eddies in the South China Sea from 1992 to 2012: evolution processes and statistical analysis. Acta Oceanologica Sinica, Vol.33(11): 36-47, Doi:10.1007/s13131-014-0530-6

    ¶. Du Y, Wu D, Liang F., Li C. 2013. Integration of case-based reasoning and object-based image classification to classify SPOT images: a case study of aquaculture land use mapping in coastal areas of Guangdong province, China. GIScience & Remote Sensing 50 : 574–589. (corresponding author)

    ¶. Du Y., Liang F., and Sun, Y., 2012. Integrating spatial relations into case-based reasoning to solve geographic problems. Knowledge-Based Systems 33, 111-123

    ¶. Liang F., Shi Y., Brook G.A., 2011. Mapping cockpit karst in Southern China from ASTER stereo images: DEM validation and accuracy assessment. Carsologica Sinica, 30(2):233-242

    ¶. Lu Q., Liang F., Bi X., Duffy R., and Zhao Z. 2011. Effects of urbanization and industrialization on agricultural land use in Shandong Peninsula of China, Ecological Indicators, 11, 1710-1714.

    ¶. Wang C., Ma J., Liang F. 2010. Floor Area Ratio extraction based on Airborne Laser Scanning data over urban areas. Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (IGARSS), 2010 IEEE International, 1182 – 1185

    ¶. Lu Q, Xu B, Liang F, Gao Z, Ning J. 2013. Influences of the Grain-for-Green project on grain security in southern China. Ecological Indicators 34 : 616–622. (corresponding author)

    Paleoclimatology

    ¶. Railsback, L. B., Brook, G. A., Liang F., Voarintsoa, N. R. G., Cheng, H., & Edwards, R. L. 2018. A multi-proxy climate record from a northwestern Botswana stalagmite suggesting wetness late in the Little Ice Age (1810–1820 CE) and drying thereafter in response to changing migration of the tropical rain belt or ITCZ. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology. 506, 139-153.

    ¶. Railsback, L. B., Liang F., Brook, G. A., Voarintsoa, N. R. G., Sletten, H. R., Marais, E., ... & Edwards, R. L. 2018. The timing, two-pulsed nature, and variable climatic expression of the 4.2 ka event: A review and new high-resolution stalagmite data from Namibia. Quaternary Science Reviews, 186, 78-90.

    ¶. Voarintsoa, N. R. G., Wang, L., Railsback, L. B., Brook, G. A., Liang F., Cheng, H., & Edwards, R. L. 2017. Multiple proxy analyses of a U/Th-dated stalagmite to reconstruct paleoenvironmental changes in northwestern Madagascar between 370CE and 1300CE. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 469, 138-155.

    ¶. Railsback, L.B., Liang F., Vidal-Romaní, J.R., Garrett, K.B., Sellers, R.C., Vaqueiro-Rodríguez, M., Grandal-d’Anglade, A., Cheng, H., and Edwards, R.L. 2017. Radiometric, isotopic, and petrographic evidence of changing interglacials over the past 550,000years from six stalagmites from the Serra do Courel in the Cordillera Cantábrica of northwestern Spain. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 466, 137–152.

    ¶. Voarintsoa, N. R. G., Brook, G. A., Liang F., Marais, E., Hardt, B., Cheng, H., & Railsback, L. B. 2016. Stalagmite multi-proxy evidence of wet and dry intervals in northeastern Namibia: Linkage to latitudinal shifts of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone and changing solar activity from AD 1400 to 1950. The Holocene, 27(3), 384-396.

    ¶. Railsback, L.B., Brook, G.A., Liang F., Marais, E., Cheng, H., and Edwards, R.L. 2016. A multi-proxy stalagmite record from northwestern Namibia of regional drying with increasing global-scale warmth over the last 47kyr: The interplay of a globally shifting ITCZ with regional currents, winds, and rainfall. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology.461, 109-121.

    ¶. Akers, P.D., Brook, G.A., Railsback, L.B., Liang F., Iannone, G., Webster, J.W., Reeder, P.P., Cheng, H., and Edwards, R.L. 2016. An extended and higher-resolution record of climate and land use from stalagmite MC01 from Macal Chasm, Belize, revealing connections between major dry events, overall climate variability, and Maya sociopolitical changes. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 459, 268–288.

    ¶. Brook, G.A., Railsback, L.B., Scott, L., Voarintsoa, N.R.G., and Liang F. 2015. Late Holocene Stalagmite and Tufa Climate Records for Wonderwerk Cave: Relationships Between Archaeology and Climate in Southern Africa. African Archaeological Review 32, 669–700.

    ¶. Liang F., Brook, G.A., Kotlia, B.S., Railsback, L.B., Hardt, B., Cheng, H., Edwards, R.L., and Kandasamy, S. (2015). Panigarh cave stalagmite evidence of climate change in the Indian Central Himalaya since AD 1256: Monsoon breaks and winter southern jet depressions. Quaternary Science Reviews 124, 145–161.

    ¶. Railsback, L.B., Brook, G.A., Ellwood, B.B., Liang F., Cheng, H., and Edwards, R.L. 2015. A record of wet glacial stages and dry interglacial stages over the last 560kyr from a standing massive stalagmite in Carlsbad Cavern, New Mexico, USA. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 438, 256–266.

    ¶. Yang X, Liu J, Liang F, Yuan D, Chen F. 2014. Holocene stalagmite δ18O in southern China and their correlation with those in the Indian monsoon region. The Holocene. 24(12):1657-1664.

    ¶. Railsback LB, Xiao H, Liang F, Akers PD, Brook GA, Dennis WM, Lanier TE, Tan M, Cheng H, Edwards RL. 2014. A stalagmite record of abrupt climate change and possible Westerlies-derived atmospheric precipitation during the Penultimate Glacial Maximum in northern China. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 393 : 30–44. DOI: 10.1016/j.palaeo.2013.10.013

    ¶. Sletten HR, Railsback LB, Liang F, Brook GA, Marais E, Hardt BF, Cheng H, Edwards RL. 2013. A petrographic and geochemical record of climate change over the last 4600years from a northern Namibia stalagmite, with evidence of abruptly wetter climate at the beginning of southern Africa’s Iron Age. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 376: 149–162.

    ¶. Cai Y., Zhang H., Cheng H., An Z., Edwards L.R., Wang X., Tan L., Liang F. Wang J., and Kelly M., 2012. The Holocene Indian monsoon variability over the southern Tibetan Plateau and its teleconnections. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 335, 135–144.

    ¶. Railsback L. B, Liang F., Vidal Romaní J. R, Grandal-dʼAnglade A., Vaqueiro Rodríguez M., Santos Fidalgo L., Fernández Mosquera D., Cheng H., and Edwards R. L. 2011. Petrographic and isotopic evidence for Holocene long-term climate change and shorter-term environmental shifts from a stalagmite from the Serra do Courel of northwestern Spain, and implications for climatic history across Europe and the Mediterranean. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 305: 172-184.

    ¶. Robbins L.H., Campbell A.C., Murphy M.L., Brook G.A., Liang F., Skaggs S.A., Srivastava P., Mabuse A.A., and Badenhorst S., 2008. Recent Archaeological and Paleoenvironmental Research at Toteng, Botswana: Early domesticated livestock in the Kalahari. Journal of African Archaeology, 6(1), 131-149

    Karst geomorphology

    ¶. Peng J., Cai Y., Yang M., Liang H., Liang F, and Song, L. 2007. Relating Aerial Erosion, Soil Erosion and Sub-soil Erosion to the Evolution of Lunan Stone Forest, China. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 32(2), 260-268.

    ¶. Liang F., Song L., Tang T., 2004. Soil Physical and Chemical Properties and their Relationship to Doline Development in Lunan Stone Forest National Park. Geographical Research, 23(3), 321-328. (In Chinese with English Abstract)

    ¶. Wang J., Song L., Xiang C., Zhang P., Liang F. 2004. Influence of CO2 Concentration on Cave Landscapes. Geographical Research, 23(1), 71-78. (In Chinese with English Abstract)

    ¶. Song L., Wang J., Liang F., Wei X., Lin J., 2004. Effect of Human and Natural Factors on the Environment of Show Caves. Carsologica Sinica, 23(2), 91-99. (In Chinese with English Abstract)

    ¶. Liang F., Song L., Tang T., 2003. Microbial Production of CO2 in Red Soil in Shilin National Park, China, Acta Geographica Sinica, 13(2), 250-256.

    ¶. Liang F., Song L., Wang J., 2003. Diurnal Variation of Soil CO2 Concentration and its Influence on Soil CO2 Influx. Progress in Geography, 22(2), 170-176. (In Chinese with English Abstract)

    ¶. Liang F., Song L., Tang T., Wang, J., 2003. Influence of Microbe on Soil CO2 Concentration in Lunan Stone Forest National Park. Carsologica Sinica, 22(1), 6-11. (In Chinese with English Abstract)

    ¶. Liang F., Song L., Tang T., 2002. Limestone Dissolution in the Air in Shilin National Park, Yuanan, China. Carsologica Sinica, 21(2), 79-83. (In Chinese with English Abstract)

    ¶. Song L, Liang F. 2001. Distribution of CO2 in Soil Air Affected by Vegetation in Shilin National Park, China. Acta Geologica Sinica, 75(3), 288-293.

    ¶. Song L., We, X., Liang F. 2000. The Influences of Cave Tourism on CO2 and Temperature in Baiyun Cave, Hebei, China. International Journal of Speleology, 29B, 77-87.

    ¶.Liang F., Song, L., Wang F., Zheng, B., Zhang, L., 2000. The Case Study of Subsoil Solution Features and their Development Mechanism in Shilin National Park, China, Carsologica Sinica, 19(2), 180-187. (In Chinese with English Abstract)

  • TravelOpen or Close

    The places I have visited

  • OthersOpen or Close

    Odds and ends

  • ...Open or Close

    Last update: 3/22/2015