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Coordinator, GIS Certificate of Advanced Study

Guest Editor, Special Issue in WATER (an open-access international journal): Climate Change Effects on Hydrological Processes, Water Resources, Ecosystems and Agriculture (Submit manuscript before October 15, 2020)

Research Mentor, NSF funded Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU): Sustainable Groundwater Resources (Apply before March 1, 2020)

Teaching Interests

Surface and Subsurface Hydrology, Hydrogeology, GIS, Environmental Science, Soil Physics and Computer Applications.

Courses taught and developed at CSU Fresno

EES 004: Environmental Science (GE)
EES 108: Soil and Water Science
EES 112: Earth System History (web-based and classroom)
EES 117: Hydrogeology
EES 177: Quantitative Methods for Earth Science
EES 178: Geostatistics
EES 180: Computer Applications in Geology
EES 186: Environmental GIS
EES 217T: Contaminant Hydrology (graduate)
EES 217T: Unsaturated Zone Hydrology (graduate)
EES 220: Groundwater Hydrology (graduate)
EES 230: Contaminant Transport (graduate)
EES 265: Hydrology System (graduate)
NSCI 115: Environmental Earth and Life Science
NSCI 115: Environmental Earth and Life Science (distance learning)
NSCI 115: Environmental Earth and Life Science (web-based)

Research Interests

• Fluid mechanics (finger flow) in porous media including soils and fractured rocks.
• Watershed hydrology and environmental hydrogeology - water flow and solute transport.
• Effects of soil and groundwater salinity on land use and plant sustainability.
• GIS applications in hydrology, other natural sciences and all possible areas.
• Climate change effects on hydrological processes, water resources and ecosystems.
• Hydraulics and irrigation engineering, irrigation scheduling and technology.
• Soil and water conservation in arid and semi-arid regions.

At present, I am conducting a field-based research on water flow and salt transport in the shallow saline aquifers and soils of the San Joaquin Valley (Southern Central Valley of California). Recent community-based projects include monitoring of the upper Fresno River watershed and the Upper San Joaquin River watershed involving water quality and discharge measurement, watershed delineation and snowpack calculations using GIS, and estimation of the climate change effects on the watersheds. Other basic and applied studies include measurement and modeling of unstable or finger flow in porous media (basic science), engineering improvement of irrigation systems in the San Joaquin Valley to raise water use efficiency, and irrigation scheduling.

Selected Publications (with PDF files)

• Zhong, Z，Z.F. Jia，Z. Wang，Y.D. Lu，T. Ren，J. Chen，X.P. Wang. Effects of double ridge geotextile mulching on soil moisture in arid and semi-arid regions. Accepted for publication in Agricultural Research in the Arid Areas, 2019.
• Ren, T., Z.F. Jia, Z. Wang, Y.D. Lu, X.H. Liu, Z. Zhong. Characteristics of soil temperature change under plastic membrane-geotextile cloth mulching in Mu us desert land. Accepted for publication in Agricultural Research in the Arid Areas, 2019.
• Jia, Z.F., Z. Wang, H. Wang. Characteristics of dew formation in semi-arid loess plateau of central Shaanxi Province, China. Water, 11(1), 126, 2019. https://doi.org/10.3390/w11010126.
• Su, F.M., Z.F. Jia, Z Wang. Effects of geotextile plus plastic film mulching on soil moisture in WeiBei dryland. Bulletin of Soil and Water Conservation. 38(5):97-102, 2018.
• Wang, X., Z.Y. Gao, Y.K. Wang, Z. Wang, S.S. Jin. Dew measurement and estimation of rain-fed jujube in a semi-arid loess hilly region of China. J. Arid Land. 9:547-557, 2017. doi: 10.1007/s40333-017-0061-z.
• Scudiero, E., D.L. Corwin, R.G. Anderson, K. Yemoto, W. Clary, Z. Wang, T.H. Skaggs. Remote sensing is a viable tool for mapping soil salinity in agricultural lands. California Agriculture, 71(4):231-238, 2017. Our map on the Cover Page (DOI: https://doi.org/10.3733/ca.2017a0009).
• Liang, X., D.R. Su, Z. Wang, and X. Qiao. Effects of turfgrass thatch on water infiltration, surface runoff, and evaporation. J. of Water Resources and Protection, DOI: 10.4236/jwarp.2017.97053, 9(7), 799-810, 2017.
• Wang, H.，Z.F. Jia，Z. Wang. Dew amount and it’s inducing factors in the loess hilly region of Ansai County, northern Shaanxi Province, China. J. of Applied Ecology (Accepted on August 27, 2017).
• Wang, H.，Z.F. Jia，Y.D. Lu，Z.L. He，Y.K. Wang，Y.M. Chen，Z. Wang. Dew condensation time and frequency in the loess hilly region of Ansai County, northern Shaanxi Province, China. J. of Applied Ecology, Doi: 10.13287/j.1001-9332.201708.15, 28(8), 2017.
• He, Z., Z. Wang, C.J. Suen, and X. Ma. Hydrologic sensitivity of the Upper San Joaquin River Watershed in California to climate change scenarios. Hydrology Research, 44.4: 723-736. https://doi.org/10.2166/nh.2012.441, 2013.
• Liu, Y., B.J. Fu, Y.H. Lü, Z. Wang, G.Y. Gao. Hydrological responses and soil erosion potential of abandoned cropland in the Loess Plateau, China. Geomorphology, 138: 404-414, doi:10.1016/j.geomorph.2011.10.009, 2011.
• Jin, T.T., B.J. Fu, G.H. Liu, and Z.Wang. Hydrologic feasibility of artificial forestation in the semi-arid Loess Plateau of China. Hydrology and Earth System Sci., 15, 2519-2530, doi:10.5194/hess-15-2519-2011. 2011.
• Liu, X., B. He, Z. Li, J. Zhang, L. Wang, Z. Wang. Influence of land terracing on agricultural and ecological environment in the Loess Plateau regions of China. Environmental Earth Sciences, DOI: 10.1007/s12665-010-0567-6, 2010.
• Liang, X., D. Su, S. Yin and Z. Wang. Leaf water absorption and desorption functions for three turfgrasses. Journal of Hydrology, 376: 243-248, 2009.
• Li, He-li, Huai-en Li, Zhi Wang, Wen-juan Shi. Research of Finger Flow in Porous Media: Review and Perspective (Chinese), Soils, 41: 27-33, 2008.
• Kim, S.B., H.S. On, D.J. Kim, W. A. Jury , and Z. Wang. Determination of bromacil transport as a function of water and carbon content in soils. Journal of Environmental Science and Health Part B, 42, 529-537, 2007.
• Wang, Z. Watershed Monitoring and Hydrologic Simulation using GIS (front page abstract), CSU Geospatial Review, Vol. 4 , Spring 2006.
• Javaux, M., Z. Wang, J. Feyen, D.E. Elrick, and M. Vanclooster. Correction to ‘‘Prediction of fingering in porous media", Water Resources Research, Vol. 41, No. 4, W04005, doi:10.1029/2004WR003831, 2005.
• Wang, Z. BookReview: Seepage in Soils – Principles and Applications, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Vadose Zone Journal, 3:728-729, 2004.
• Wang, Z., W.A. Jury, A. Tuli, and D.J. Kim. Unstable flow during redistribution: Controlling factors and practical implications. Vadose Zone Journal, 3: 549-559, 2004.
• Wang, Z, A. Tuli, and W.A. Jury. Unstable flow during redistribution in homogeneous soil, Vadose Zone Journal, 2: 52-60. 2003.
• Jury, W.A., Z. Wang, and A. Tuli. A conceptual model of unstable flow in unsaturated soil during redistribution, Vadose Zone Journal, 2: 61-67. 2003.
• Wang, Z., L. Wu, T. Harter, J. Lu and W.A. Jury. A field study of unstable preferential flow during soil water redistribution. Water Resources Research. Vol. 39 (4): 1075, doi:10.1029/2001WR000903. 2003.
• Wang, Z., A. Chang, L. Wu, and D. Crowley. Assessing the soil quality of long-term reclaimed wastewater-irrigated cropland. Geoderma, 114: 261-278, doi:10.1016/S0016-7061(03)00044-2. 2003.
• Wang, Z, J. Lu, L. Wu, T. Harter, and W.A. Jury. Visualizing preferential flow in field soils using ammonium carbonate and a pH indicator, Soil Science Society of America Journal , 66, 347-351. 2002.
• Wang, J., B. Fu, Y. Qiu, L. Chen, and  Z. Wang. Geostatistical analysis of soil moisture variability on Da Nangou catchment of the loess plateau, China. Environmental Geology, 41: 113-120. 2001.
• Jury, W. A., and Z. Wang.Unresolved Problems in vadose zone hydrology and contaminant transport. In Dynamics of Fluids in Fractured Rock, AGU Geophysical Monograph 122, edited by B. Faybishenko, P. A. Witherspoon and S. M. Benson. pp. 67-72. 2000.
• Wang, Z., L. Wu, and Q. J. Wu.Water-entry value as an alternative indicator of soil water repellency and wettability, Journal of Hydrology, 231-232: 76-83. 2000.
• Wang, Z., Q.J. Wu, L. Wu, C.J. Ritsema, L.W. Dekker and J. Feyen. Effects of soil water repellency on infiltration rate and flow instability. Journal of Hydrology, 231-232:265-276. 2000.
• Zerihun, D., J. Feyen, J. M. Reddy and Z. Wang. Minimum cost design of furrow irrigation systems. Transactions of the ASAE, 42(4): 945-955. 1999.
• Wang, Z., Jan Feyen, and D.E. Elrick.Prediction of Fingering in porous media. Water Resources Research, 34: 2183-2190. 1998.
• Wang, Z., Jan Feyen and C. J. Ritsema. Susceptibility and predictability of conditions for preferential flow. Water Resources Research, 34: 2169-2182. 1998.
• Wang, Z., J. Feyen, M. Th. van Genuchten and D. R. Nielsen. Air entrapment effects on infiltration rate and flow instability. Water Resources Research, 34(2): 213-222. 1998.
• Wang, Z., J. Feyen, D. R. Nielsen and M. Th. van Genuchten. Two-phase flow infiltration equations accounting for air entrapment effects. Water Resources Research, 33(12): 2759-2768. 1997.
• Zerihun, D, Z. Wang, J. Feyen and J. M. Reddy. Empirical functions for dependent furrow irrigation parameters. 2: Applications, Irrigation Science, 17:121-126. 1997.
• Zerihun, D., Z. Wang, S. Rimal, J. Feyen and  J. M. Reddy, Analysis of surface irrigation performance terms and indices. Agricultural Water Management, 34:25-46. 1997.
• Wang Z.,  D. Zerihun, and J. Feyen, General irrigation efficiency for field water management. Agricultural Water Management, 30(2): 123-132. 1996.
• Wang, Z., J. M. Reddy and J. Feyen. Improved 0-1 programming model for optimal flow scheduling in irrigation canals, Irrigation and Drainage Systems, 9: 105-116. 1995.
• Wang, Z., F. Zhu and X. Liu. Development of a non-hump parabolic throatless flume. Journal of Water Resources (Chinese), 7: 12-23. July 1994. Award Certificate in Chinese (1998-99)
• Wang, Z. Field study of the Long Border Segment Irrigation systems. Journal of irrigation and Drainage (Chinese), 5: 15-26. Nov. 1986.

Graduate Students: 

1. James R. Meier (graduated in Summer 2005 and hired by GeoMatrix Consultants): Thesis abstract: Analysis of Groundwater Banks in San Joaquin Valley.
2. Ori Sartono (graduated in Summer 2007, K.D. Schmidt & Assoc.) Thesis abstract: Parameterization of a fractured hardrock aquifer in western foothills of the Sierra Nevada, California
3. Sana Alsaoudi (graduate in Fall 2007): Thesis abstract: Isotope studies of San Joaquin River and the nearby groundwater resources.
4. Jorge Baca Jr. (graduated in Fall 2009, California EPA - Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board). Thesis abstrct: GIS-aided modeling and site measurement of soil erosion potentials in the upper Fresno River watershed, California.
5. Doug DeFlitch: (Graduated in Spring 2010): Thesis abstract: Measurement and Monitoring of Bedload Sediment Transport along the Upper San Joaquin River below Friant Dam.
6. Joe Knight: Geological study of selenium transport in the Central Valley of California.
7. Ronald E. Holcomb (California EPA - Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board): Hydrogeological study of the shallow saline aquifer in Lemoore, California.
8. Ashley Ross: Measurement and modeling of sediment transport in the Big Creek basin of Kings River watershed, California.
9. Dustin White: Stratigraphy and Transmissivity of the Kaweah River Fan, Visalia, California.
10. Benjamin Gooding: Identifying Sources of Hydrogen Sulfide and Water Quality Characteristics in the San Joaquin Valley.
11. Marienel Basiga: Simulating Salt Transport in Naval Air Station Lemoore Using HYDRUS 1-D.

Complete CV (PDF file)