Christine Hladik

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Christine M. Hladik, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Geography
Office: Herty, 1102A
Phone: (912) 478-0338
Email: chladik@georgiasouthern.edu

Academic Background

Ph.D., University of Georgia, 2012

• Major: Marine Sciences

M.S., Creighton University, 2004

• Major: Atmospheric Science

B.S., Creighton University, 2002

• Major: Environmental Science

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Teaching

• Remote Sensing Lecture and Lab (GEOG 3741)
• Introduction to GIS and Cartography Lecture and Lab (GEOG 3440)
• Advanced Geospatial Techniques Lecture and Lab (GEOG 5090)

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Research

I am broadly interested in the application of geospatial data, including remote sensing imagery, GIS and GPS, to address a range of ecological and management goals. My general research interests are the remote sensing of wetlands, estuaries, and coastal waters; the use of remote sensing to monitor climate change impacts; and the use of multi-sensor data in ecological monitoring. My research integrates different technologies to answer these questions and is interdisciplinary in nature. The overall goal of my research is to improve the value and interpretability of environmental geospatial data by developing methodologies and workflows that reduce errors and increase the usefulness of remote sensing data.

My research has involved the remote sensing of both estuarine water quality and salt marsh habitats. The focus of my M.S. thesis was close range remote sensing of coastal water quality and the development of a robust algorithm for the prediction of chlorophyll a concentrations. My dissertation research evaluated tools used to describe elevation and plant distribution in a Southeastern salt marsh using light detection and ranging (LIDAR) and hyperspectral imagery.

Research Goals

• Examine the spatial and temporal patterns of coastal habitats using remote sensing data (hyperspectral, satellite, LIDAR) and relate observed patterns to edaphic, hydrologic, geomorphic, and climatic conditions.
• Develop robust techniques to assess and monitor wetlands and adjacent upland habitats.
• Integrate remote sensing data into mechanistic biogeochemical and geomorphic models.
• Model geospatial patterns of coastal water quality.
• Understand, model, and predict the effects that climate change will have on coastal habitats.
• Improve communication between scientists and other stakeholders with regards to environmental management of coastal resources.

Funded Research Projects

• Marsh dieback development and recovery: An investigation of creek bank and estuary processes
• A regional approach to coast-wide resiliency planning: Improvements in modeling marsh response to sea level rise
• Evaluation of the role of groundwater and elevation on marsh dieback development and recovery
• High-resolution mapping of vegetation, elevation, salinity, and bathymetry to advance coastal habitat management in Georgia

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Publications

Mishra, D.R., S. Ghosh, C. Hladik, J.L. O’Connell, and H. J. Cho (2015). Wetland mapping methods and techniques using multisensory, multiresolution remote sensing: Successes and challenges. In: Thenkabail, P. (ed.), Remote Sensing Handbook, Vol. III, pp. 191-226, CRC, Press, Taylor and Francis, Boca Raton, FL, ISBN: 13:978-1-4822-1972-6, CAT# K22131.

Alexander, C. and C.M. Hladik (2015). High-Resolution Mapping of Vegetation, Elevation, Salinity and Bathymetry to Advance Coastal Habitat Management in Georgia. Final Report submitted to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Georgia Coastal Management Program. 63 p.

Hladik, C.M. and Alber, M. Classification of salt marsh vegetation using edaphic and remote sensing-derived variables. Estuarine, Coastal, and Shelf Science, 141, 47-57, March 2014, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2014.01.011.

Hladik, C.M., M. Alber and J.F. Schalles. Salt marsh elevation and habitat mapping using hyperspectral and LIDAR data. Remote Sensing of Environment, 139, 318-330, December 2013, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2013.08.003.

Schalles, J.F., C.M. Hladik, A.A. Lynes, S.C. Pennings. Landscape estimates of habitat types, plant biomass, and invertebrate densities in a Georgia salt marsh. Oceanography, 26(3), 85–87, September 2013, http://dx.doi.org/10.5670/oceanog.2013.50.

Hladik, C. and M. Alber. Accuracy assessment and correction of a LIDAR-derived salt marsh digital elevation model. Remote Sensing of Environment, 121, 224-235, June 2012, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2012.01.018.

Schalles, J.F. and C.M. Hladik (2013). Mapping phytoplankton chlorophyll in turbid, Case 2 estuarine and coastal waters. Special Issue: VIS-NIR Spectroscopy in Plant Sciences. Israel Journal of Plant Sciences, 60(1-2), 169-191, http://dx.doi.org/10.1560/IJPS.60.1-2.169

Wang, H., C.M. Hladik, H. Wuang, K. Milla, L. Edmiston, M. Harwell and J. Schalles (2010). Detecting the spatial and temporal variability of chlorophyll-a concentration and total suspended solids in Apalachicola Bay, Florida using MODIS imagery. International Journal of Remote Sensing, 31(2), 439-453, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01431160902893485

Gitelson, A.A., J.F. Schalles and C.M. Hladik (2007). Remote chlorophyll-a retrieval in turbid, productive estuarine waters: Chesapeake Bay Case Study. Remote Sensing of the Environment, 109 (4), 464-472, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2007.01.016.

Last updated: 8/7/2023