 |
Director
|
Research Interests
My research program works to integrate insights of landscape ecology and geography with the application of geo-spatial information technology to improve our understanding of the structure and function of coupled human-environmental systems at broader landscape to regional scales. Working with partners, I attempt to translate that understanding into effective and appropriate techniques to improve ‘on-the-ground’ natural resource management and land use planning.
Education
1988 |
Ph.D. Environmental Monitoring University of Wisconsin-Madison |
1986 |
M.S. Forestry University of Wisconsin-Madison |
1985 |
M.S. Environmental Monitoring University of Wisconsin-Madison |
1981 |
B.A. Biology Dartmouth College |
Recent Publications (last 15 years):
* Student author ** Corresponding author
Tijjani, S.B., Giri, S., Lathrop, R.G., Qi, J., Karki, R., Schäfer, K.V.R., Kaplan, M.B., Oleghe, E.E., Dhakal, S. 2024. Modeling Carbon Dynamics from a Heterogeneous Watershed in the mid-Atlantic USA: A Distributed-Calibration and Independent Verification (DCIV) Approach. Science of the Total Environment. 956:177271. Online
Cole, B.,and multiple co-authors, incl. Lathrop, R.G.. Mammal responses to global changes in human activity vary by trophic group and landscape. Nature Ecology & Evolution. In press.
Shamon, H. and multiple co-Authors., incl. Lathrop, R.G. 2024. SNAPSHOT USA 2021: A third coordinated national camera trap survey of the United States. Ecology 105(6):e4318.
Tijjani, S.B.*, Qi, J., Giri, S., Lathrop, R.G. 2024. Crop production and water quality under 1.5◦C and 2◦C warming: Plant responses and management options in the Mid-Atlantic region. Science of the Total Environment. 907:167874. Online
Brum, A., Finger, J., Lathrop, R.G., Feigin, S., Smith, J., Niles, L.N. Petry, M.V. 2024. Northward migration of Red Knots Calidris canutus rufa and environment connectivity of southern Brazil to Canada. Bird Conservation International, 34(e2). Online
Sacatelli, R.*, Kaplan, M., Carleton, G., Lathrop, R.G.** Coastal Forest Dieback in the Northeast USA: Potential Mechanisms and Management Responses. Sustainability. 2023, 15, 6346. Online
Merchant, D., Lathrop, R.G., Santos, C.D., Paludo, D., Niles, L., Smith, J., Feigin, S., Dey, A. 2023. Distribution Modeling and Gap Analysis of Shorebird Conservation in Northern Brazil. Remote Sensing 15(2), 452. Online
Giri, S., Kang, Y., MacDonald, K., Tippett, M., Qiu, Z., Lathrop, R.G., Obropta, C.C. 2023. Revealing the Sources of Arsenic in Private Well Water Using Random Forest Classification and Regression. Science of the Total Environment 857 159360. Online
Lathrop, R.G., Merchant, D., Niles, L., Feigin, S., Paludo, D., Santos, C.D., Espoz, C., Smith, J., Dey, A. 2022. Multi-Sensor Remote Sensing of Intertidal Flat Habitats for Migratory Shorebird Conservation. Remote Sensing 14:5016. Online
Giri, S., Mishra. A., Zhang, Z., Lathrop, R.G. and Alnahit, A.O. 2021. Meteorological and Hydrological Drought Analysis and Its Impact on Water Quality and Stream Integrity. Sustainability 13, 8175. Online
Leidman, S.Z., Rennermalm, A.K., Lathrop, R.G., Cooper, M. 2021. Terrain-Based Shadow Correction Method for Assessing Supraglacial Features on the Greenland Ice Sheet. Frontiers in Remote Sensing. Online
Gallagher, M.R., Skowronski, N.S., Lathrop, R.G., McWilliams, T. and Green, E.J. 2020. An Improved Approach for Selecting and Validating Burn Severity Indices in Forested Landscapes. Canadian Journal of Remote Sensing Online
Giri, S., Lathrop, R.G., and C. Obropta. 2020. Climate change vulnerability assessment and adaptation strategies through best management practices. Journal of Hydrology 580 124311.
Lathrop, R.G., W. Irving, J.J. Seneca, J. Trimble and R.M. Sacatelli. 2019. The limited role salt marshes may have in buffering extreme storm surge events: Case Study on the New Jersey shore. Ocean and Coastal Management. 178: 104803. Online
Giri, S., Zhang, Z., Krasnuk, D., Lathrop, R.G., 2019. Evaluating the impact of land use on stream integrity using machine learning algorithms. Science of The Total Environment, 133858.
Giri, S., N.N. Arbab and R.G. Lathrop. 2019. Assessing the potential impacts of climate and Land use change on water fluxes and sediment transport in a loosely coupled system. Journal of Hydrology 123955. Online
Lathrop, R.G., L. Niles, P. Smith, M. Peck, A Dey, R. Sacatelli, J. Bognar. 2018. Mapping and modeling the breeding habitat of the Western Atlantic Red Knot (Calidris canutus rufa) at local and regional scales. The Condor 120(3):650-665. Online
Giri, S., N.N. Arbab, R.G. Lathrop**. 2018. Water security assessment of current and Future scenarios through an integrated modeling framework in the Neshanic River Watershed. Journal of Hydrology 563:1025-1041. Online
Lathrop, R.G., L. Auermuller, J. Herb, and M. Kaplan. 2017. Integrated Assessment of Risk and Vulnerability. The Use of Online Decision-Support Tools to Communicate Coastal Vulnerability and Promote Adaptation Planning. GI_Forum 2017, Issue 1:352-359. Online
Lathrop, R.G., J. Odell, T. MacDonald, K. Vilacoba, J. Bognar, J. Trimble, C. Bruce, G. Crichton, D. Seminara, J. Herb, M. Campo. 2017. The role of Mid-Atlantic Ocean Data Portal in supporting ocean planning. Frontiers Marine Science 08 August 2017. Online
Lathrop, R.G., J. Bognar, E. Buenaventura, M. Ciappi, E. Green, T. Belton. 2017. Establishment of marine protected areas to reduce water craft impacts in Barnegat Bay, NJ. Journal of Coastal Research SI 78:277-286.
Virzi, T., J.L. Lockwood, R.G. Lathrop, S.M. Grodsky, and D. Drake. 2017. Predicting American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus) Breeding Distribution in an Urbanized Coastal Ecosystem using Maximum Entropy Modeling. Waterbirds 40 (Special Publication 1): 104-122.
Kennish, M.J., R.G. Lathrop, A. Spahn, G.P. Sakowicz, and R. Sacatelli. 2016. The JCNERR Sentinel Site: Research and Monitoring Applications. Bulletin of the NJ Academy of Sciences 61(1):1-8.
Skowronski, N.S., S. Haag, J. Trimble, K.L Clarke and R.G. Lathrop**. 2015. Structure-level fuel load assessment in the wildland-urban interface: A fusion of airborne laser scanning and spectral remote sensing methodologies. International Journal of Wildland Fire (In Press).
Lathrop, R.G., S.M. Haag, D. Merchant, M.J. Kennish and B. Fertig. 2014. Comparison of remotely-sensed surveys vs. In Situ Plot-based Assessment of Seagrass Condition in Barnegat Bay-Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey USA. Journal of Coastal Conservation 18:299-308.
Lathrop, R., L. Auermuller, J. Trimble, and J. Bognar. 2014. The Application of WebGIS Tools for Visualizing Coastal Flooding Vulnerability and Planning for Resiliency: The New Jersey Experience. ISPRS Int J of Geo-Information 3:408-429.
Zhang, Y., E. Green, T. Farrell, and R.G. Lathrop**. 2013. Organic carbon storage in New Jersey Forest Lands. Bulletin of the New Jersey Academy of Science 58(2):1-7.
La Puma I.P.*, R.G. Lathrop, N.S. Keuler. 2013. A large-scale fire suppression edge-effect on Forest composition in the New Jersey Pinelands, Landscape Ecology: Volume 28(9):1815-1827.
Schwarz, K.,* S.T.A. Pickett, R.G. Lathrop, K.C. Weathers, R.V. Pouyat, M.L. Cadenasso. 2012. The effects of the urban built environment on the spatial distribution of lead in residential soils. Environmental Pollution 163: 32-39.
Schwarz, K.*, K. C. Weathers, S. T. A. Pickett, R. G. Lathrop, R. V. Pouyat and M. L.Cadenasso.2013. A comparison of three empirically based, spatially explicit predictive models of residential soil Pb concentrations in Baltimore, Maryland, USA: understanding the variability within cities. Environmental Geochemistry and Health. 35(4):495-510.
Lathrop, R.G., L. Auermuller, S. Haag and W. Im. 2012. The StormWater Management Planning Tool: Coastal Water Quality Enhancement Through the Use of an Internet-based Geospatial Tools. Coastal Management 40(4):339-354.
Lathrop, R.G.(editor). 2011. The Highlands: Critical Resources, Treasured Landscapes. Rutgers University Press, New Brunswick, NJ. 366 p.
Lathrop, R. G. 2011. Agricultural and Urban Land Use Patterns. In: The Highlands: Critical Resources, Treasured Landscape. Ed: R. Lathrop. Rutgers University Press, New Brunswick, NJ. pp. 259-273.
Lathrop, R. G., M.L. Tyrell, and M. Hall 2011. Future Vision of the Highlands. In: The Highlands: Critical Resources, Treasured Landscapes. Ed: R. Lathrop. Rutgers University Press, New Brunswick, NJ. pp. 316-330.
Zhang, Y., Z. Miao, J. Bognar, and R.G. Lathrop Jr. 2011. Landscape Scale Modeling of the Potential Effect of Groundwater-level Declines on Forested Wetlands in the New Jersey Pinelands. Wetlands 26:1112-1122. *Corresponding author.
Struwe, L., P. E. Smouse, E. Heiberg, S. Haag, & R. G. Lathrop. 2011. Spatial Evolutionary and Ecological Vicariance Analysis (SEEVA), a Novel Approach to Biogeography and Speciation Research, with an Example from Brazilian Gentianaceae. Journal of Biogeography . ABSTRACT
Miao, Z., R. G. Lathrop Jr.**, M. Xu, I. P. LaPuma, K. L. Clark, J. Hom, N. Skowronski, and S. Van Tuyl. 2011. Simulation and sensitivity analysis of carbon storage and fluxes in the New Jersey Pinelands. Environmental Modelling & Software 26(9):1112-1122. ** Corresponding author.
McCarthy, K. and R.G. Lathrop. 2011. Stormwater Basins of the New Jersey Coastal Plain: Subsidies or Sinks for Frogs and Toads? Urban Ecosystems 14:395-413 (Online First).
Technical Reports (last 10 years):
Giri, R.G., D. Krasnuk, R.G. Lathrop, S.J. Malone and J. Herb. 2016. State of the Raritan Report: Volume 1. PDF available on webpage
Lathrop, R.G., J. Bognar, and Hasse, J.E. 2016. Changing Landscapes in the Garden State: Land Use change in NJ 1986 through 2012. PDF
Lathrop, R.G., and J. Bognar, E. Buenaventura, J. Rovito and J. Trimble. 2014. New Jersey Coastal Flood Exposure. PDF
Lathrop, R.G., and J. Bognar, 2014. Modeling the Fate of New Jersey's Salt Marshes Under Future Sea Level Rise. PDF
Baker, R.J., Wieben, C.M., Lathrop, R.G., and Nicholson, R.S., 2014. Concentrations, loads, and yields of total nitrogen and total phosphorus in the Barnegat Bay-Little Egg Harbor watershed, New Jersey, 1989–2011, at multiple spatial scales: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2014–5072, 64 p., ARTICLE.
Kennish, M. D. Fertig, and R. Lathrop. 2012. Assessment of Nutrient Loading and Eutrophication in Barnegat Bay-Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey in Support of Nutrient Management Planning. Rutgers University Institute of Marine & Coastal Sciences. Prepared for New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission. 596 pp.
Lathrop, R.G. and S. Haag. 2011. Assessment of Seagrass Status in the Barnegat Bay-Little Egg Harbor Estuary System: 2003-2009. CRSSA Technical Report, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, 56 p. http://crssa.rutgers.edu/projects/coastal/sav/downloads.htm
Hasse, J., and R. Lathrop. 2010. Changing Landscapes in the Garden State: Urban Growth and Open Space Loss 1986 through 2007. New Brunswick, NJ: Center for Remote Sensing and Spatial Analysis, Rutgers University. http://www.crssa.rutgers.edu/projects/lc/NJ_Urb_Growth_III_executive_summary_0801_2010.pdf
Hasse, J. and R.G. Lathrop. 2008. Tracking New Jersey's Dynamic Landscape: Urban Growth and Open Space Loss 1986-1995-2002. CRSSA Technical Report, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, 66 p. http://www.crssa.rutgers.edu/projects/lc/download/urbangrowth86_95_02 /HasseLathrop_njluc_final_report_07_14_08.pdf
On-going Projects:
New Jersey Coastal Ecological Restoration and Adaptation Planning. Source of Support: NJDEP & USEPA. Principal Investigator. Awar5/1/2020-11/30/2025.
Developing a Watershed Restoration Plan for Southern Barnegat Bay/Little Egg Harbor Tributaries. Source of Support: NJDEP. Principal Investigator. 1/1/2021-8/28/2025.
Remote Sensing survey of Submerged Aquatic Vegetation for the Barnegat Bay-Little Egg Harbor Estuary. Source of Support: NJDEP. Principal Investigator. 4/1/2023-5/31/2026.
Promoting Sustainable and Resilient Watersheds across New Jersey. Source of Support: NJDEP. Co-Principal Investigator. 7/26/2021-12/31/2025.
Evaluating Outcomes of Coastal Salt Marsh Intervention Efforts. Source of Support: National Fish & wildlife Foundation. Co-Principal Investigator. 1/1/2022-6/30/2025.
Professional Service:
Science & Watershed Management Committee, Watershed Institute (5/2024-Present)
Member, Science Advisory Committee of the Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve (1/1998-present)
Member, New Jersey Endangered and Nongame Wildlife Advisory Committee (4/1998 – 04/2025); Chair (2017-04/2025)
Member, New Jersey Fish & Game Council (4/2017-04/2025)
Trustee, American Littoral Society (12/2002–2017); President (2009-2012)
Trustee, The Nature Conservancy, New Jersey Chapter (9/03-2012)
Chair, New Jersey Pinelands Commission Science Advisory Board (4/00 – 2016)
Member, Science and Technical Advisory Committee, Barnegat Bay National Estuary Program (1/1996- 2010)
Teaching
Courses
Introduction to Aerial Photo Interpretation – Fall
Digital Image Analysis – Spring
Advanced Environmental Geomatics
Principles of Natural Resource Management
Winter Field Ecology
Ecological Field Techniques
Certificates
Geospatial Information Science Graduate Certificate
Environmental Geomatics Undergraduate Certificate
Other
Faculty Advisor to Rutgers Outdoors Club
Faculty Director of the Rutgers Ecological Preserve
Past Projects
New Jersey Landscape Change
New York-New Jersey Highlands Regional Study
Mapping New Jersey's Critical Wildlife Habitat
Coastal Studies
Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve
Monitoring Hemlock Forest Decline in New Jersey
Last updated September 2023