Skip to content Skip to navigation

Faculty

Xin Yang Associate Professor

Bio: 

Personal Profile

  • Yang Xin (September 1976), Ph.D. in Science, is a Professor and doctoral supervisor at the School of Geographical Sciences. His research focuses on Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and digital terrain analysis, GIS spatial analysis, urban 3D analysis, and landform analysis. He has guided undergraduate and graduate students to win over 10 provincial-level and ministerial-level awards, including the Grand Prize at the National College Student GIS Application Skills Competition and the Jiangsu Province Outstanding Master's Thesis Award. He has led five National Natural Science Foundation projects, one Ministry of Education Doctoral Discipline Development Fund project, and two provincial/ministerial-level grants. He participated as the second principal investigator in one National Natural Science Foundation Key Project. His publications include over 100 research papers and nine textbooks/monographs published by Higher Education Press and Science Press. He has received 24 provincial/ministerial-level or higher awards for scientific research and teaching achievements. Currently serves as Vice Chair of the Education and Popular Science Committee of the China Geoinformation Industry Association.

Contact

  • Email: xxinyang@njnu.edu.cn
  • Office Address: Room 541, College of Geographical Sciences, Nanjing Normal University
  • Mailing address: School of Geographical Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, No. 1 Wenyuan Road, Qixia District, Nanjing

Education and work background

  • September 2007–Present: School of Geographical Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Lecturer, Associate Professor, Professor
  • September 2016–August 2017: University of British Columbia, Canada, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Visiting Scholar in Forest Hydrology in Watersheds
  • September 2004–July 2007: School of Geographic Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Ph.D. in Cartography and Geographic Information Systems
  • September 2001–July 2004: Department of Urban and Resource Studies, Northwest University, M.S. in Cartography and Geographic Information Systems
  • 1999.08-2001.08 Shaanxi Provincial Basic Geographic Information Center, Assistant Engineer
  • 1995.09-1999.07 Department of Urban and Resource Studies, Northwest University, Bachelor's Degree in Economic Geography and Urban-Rural Regional Planning
  • September 1999 – August 2001: Shaanxi Provincial Basic Geographic Information Center, Assistant Engineer

Main research directions and achievements

  • DEM and digital terrain analysis, GIS spatial analysis, urban 3D analysis, landform analysis, etc.

Host scientific research projects

  • [1] Study on the Asymmetry Characteristics and Mechanisms of Gully Asymmetry in Small Watersheds of the Loess Plateau Based on DEM, National Natural Science Foundation of China (425711479), 2026.01-2029.12
  • [2] Research on Information Atlas of Artificial Landforms in Small Watersheds of the Loess Plateau, National Natural Science Foundation of China (42171402), Jan 2022–Dec 2025
  • [3] Development Characteristics and Regional Variability of Loess Spoon-shaped Gully Erosion Based on DEM, National Natural Science Foundation of China (41771415), Jan 2018–Dec 2021
  • [4] DEM-Based Study on Population Characteristics and Spatial Heterogeneity of Loess Gully Systems, National Natural Science Foundation of China (41271438), Jan 2013–Dec 2016
  • [5] DEM-Based Study on Boundary Profile Spectrum of Loess Plateau Watersheds, National Natural Science Foundation of China (40901185), January 2010–December 2012
  • [6] Quantification of Urban Three-Dimensional Morphology Based on UDEM, Special Research Fund for Doctoral Programs of Higher Education Institutions, Ministry of Education (2009105SBJ0157), January 2010–December 2012

Published Textbooks and Monographs (Representative)

  • [1] Tang Guoan, Yang Xin, Zhang Haiping. ArcGIS Geographic Information System Spatial Analysis Tutorial (Third Edition). Science Press, 2021
  • [2] Tang Guoan, Li Fayuan, Yang Xin, Xiong Liyang. Exploration and Practice of Digital Terrain Analysis on the Loess Plateau. Science Press, 2015
  • [3] Wei Yuchun, Tang Guoan, Wang Min, Yang Xin. Tutorial on Remote Sensing Digital Image Processing (Third Edition). Science Press, 2017
  • [4] Yang Xin, Tang Guoan, Deng Fengdong, Lü Heng. Erdas Remote Sensing Digital Image Processing Experiment Tutorial. Science Press, 2009

Published articles (*corresponding author)

  • [1] Yang, X., Li, S., Ma, J., Chen, Y., Zhou, X., Li, F., ... & Meadows, M. E. (2025). A typology of global relief classes derived from digital elevation models at 1 arcsec resolution. Earth System Science Data, 17(9), 4331-4350.
  • [2] Sun, W., Chen, Y., Zhou, X., Yang X*., Ma, J., Li, S., & Tang, G. (2025). Understanding the hydrological valley landscape: A multi-scenario adaptive framework for delineating valley floors. CATENA, 256, 109111.
  • [3] Chen, Y., Yang X*., Fu, H., Li, C., & Tang, G. (2025). Characterizing spatial patterns and regionalization of anthropogenic landforms using multi-source geospatial data: Insights from Loess Plateau of China. Geomorphology, 478, 109708.
  • [4] Zhou, X., Chen, Y., Sun, W., Yang X*., Wang, Y., Li, C., & Tang, G. (2025). Delineating individual alluvial fans and morphological analysis based on digital elevation models. Geomorphology, 473, 109629.
  • [5] Zhu, H., Yang, X*., Zhou, X., Zhang, H., Yang, L., & Tang, G. (2025). A 3D visible space index for evaluating urban openness based on the digital urban model. International Journal of Geographical Information Science, 39(1), 181-206.
  • [6] Li, C., Yang, X*., Chen, Y., Zhou, X., Li, S., Cui, X., & Tang, G. (2025). Assessing the influence of geo-environmental factors on discontinuous gully erosion at regional scales: A case study of spoon gullies on the loess plateau of China. Journal of Environmental Management, 373, 123940.
  • [7] Wang, X., Zhang, H., Li, Z., Yang, X., Qian, Z., Bian, D., & Zhao, Y. (2025). Revealing the City Influence and Its Pattern Using Web Search Data: A New Perspective Through Attention Flow. ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information, 14(1), 24.
  • [8] Chen, Y., Sun, W., Yang, L., Yang X*., Zhou, X., Li, X., Li, S., & Tang, G. (2024). Refining urban morphology: An explainable machine learning method for estimating footprint-level building height. Sustainable Cities and Society, 112, 105635.
  • [9] Yang, L., Chen, Y., Li, Y., Zhu, H., Yang X*., Li, S., & Tang, G. (2024). Is 3D building morphology really related to land surface temperature? Insights from a new homogeneous unit. Building and Environment, 266, 112101.
  • [10] Li, S., Xiong, L*., Li, Y., Yang X., Li, F., & Tang, G. (2024). A multilevel dataset of landform mapping and geomorphologic descriptors for the Loess Plateau of China. Scientific Data, 11(1), 1282.
  • [11] Li, S., Yang X*., Zhou, X., & Tang, G. (2023). Quantification of surface pattern based on the binary terrain structure in mountainous areas. Remote Sensing, 15(10), 2664.
  • [12] Yang, L., Yang X*., Li, Y., & Li, S. (2024). A new quantitative evaluation method of urban skyline based on object-based analysis and constitution theory. Environment and Planning B: Urban Analytics and City Science, 51(1), 259-274.
  • [13] Yang, L., Yang X*., Zhang, H., Ma, J., Zhu, H., & Huang, X. (2022). Urban morphological regionalization based on 3D building blocks—A case in the central area of Chengdu, China. Computers, Environment and Urban Systems, 94, 101800.
  • [14] Li, C., Yang X*., Liu, H., Zhu, H., Wei, H., Na, J., & Cui, X. (2022). Spatial distribution characteristics of discontinuous hillslope gullies on the Loess Plateau of China: A special focus on spoon gullies. CATENA, 215, 106327.
  • [15] Dai, W., Qian, W., Liu, A., Wang, C., Yang X*., Hu, G., & Tang, G. (2022). Monitoring and modeling sediment transport in space in small loess catchments using UAV-SfM photogrammetry. CATENA, 214, 106244.
  • [16] Dai Wen, Tang Guoan, Yang Xin, Liu Aili, Lei Shaohua, Zheng Guanghui. Modeling Spatiotemporal Pathways of Sediment Transport in Loess Small Watersheds under a Mass Conservation Framework. (2025) Geographical Research, 44(01), 305-319.
  • [17] Zhang Haiping, Tang Guoan, Xiong Liyang, Yang Xin & Li Fayuan. (2022). Theoretical Framework and Construction Method for DEM Value-Added Focused on Geomorphological Origins. Acta Geographica Sinica, 77(03), 518-533.
  • [18] Yang Xin, Tang Guoan, Yuan Baoyin, Liu Hailong, Huang Xiaoli & Li Chenrui. (2021). Characteristics and Development Process of Spoon-shaped Gully on the Loess Plateau. Geographical Research, 40(07), 1870-1886.
  • [19] Xiong, L. Y., Tang, G. A., Yang, X., & Li, F. Y. (2021). Research progress and prospects of digital terrain analysis oriented toward geomorphological origins. Acta Geographica Sinica, 76(03), 595-611.

Patent

  • [1] Nanjing Normal University. Method for Extracting River Valley Plains Based on Digital Elevation Models and Slope Cost Distance: 202211302771.7[P]. 2023-06-20. (Yang Xin, Li Sijin, Ma Junfei, Chen Yang, Li Xin)
  • [2] Nanjing Normal University. A Ray Tracing-Based Method for Extracting Alluvial Fans from DEMs: 202211302741.6 [P]. 2023-05-23. (Yang Xin, Zhou Xingyu, Wang Yanxiang)
  • [3] Nanjing Normal University. An Optimization Method for Urban Three-Dimensional Visual Space Ratio Index: 202210086980.6 [P].2023-03-21. (Zhou Xingyu, Zhu Hui, Yang Xin, Tang Guoan, Zhang Haiping)
  • [4] Nanjing Normal University. A Method for Generating Ink-wash Landscape Paintings Based on Digital Elevation Models and Style Transfer: 202210078005.0[P].2022-05-13. (Yang Xin, Li Xin, Chen Yang, Huang Nan)
  • [5] Nanjing Normal University. An Automated Extraction Method for Loess Shallow Gully Based on High-Resolution Remote Sensing Images and DEM: 201810545590.4[P]. 2022-02-11. (Dai Wen, Yang Xin, Cheng Yihan, Liu Hailong, Tang Guoan)
  • [6] Nanjing Normal University. Automated Extraction Method for Terraced Field Ridges Based on Multi-Source Data: 201810545575.X[P]. 2022-02-11. (Dai Wen, Yang Xin, Liu Hailong, Cheng Yihan, Zhou Qifei, Tang Guoan)
  • [7] Nanjing Normal University. Automatic Terrain Sketch Drawing Method Based on DEM: 201811464313.7[P]. 2021-05-28. (Liu Hailong, Cheng Yihan, Yang Xin, Dai Wen, Tang Guoan)

Awards and Honors

【Research Awards】

  • 2020. Second Prize, National Science and Technology Progress Award, Ranked 3rd
  • 2017. Second Prize, Natural Science Award, Ministry of Education, ranked 6th
  • 2013. Third Prize, Scientific and Technological Progress Award, Chinese Society for Surveying and Mapping, ranked 3rd
  • 2009. First Prize, Geographical Information Science and Technology Progress Award, National Administration of Surveying, Mapping and Geoinformation, ranked 11th
  • 2008. Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation, Jiangsu Province

【Teaching Awards】

  • 2023. Second Prize, National Teaching Achievement Award (Undergraduate Education), Ministry of Education, Ranked 3rd
  • 2022. Special Prize, Jiangsu Provincial Teaching Achievement Award, Ranked 3rd
  • 2022. Special Prize, 21st Nanjing Normal University Teaching Achievement Award, Ranked 2nd
  • 2021. “Principles of Geographic Information Systems” Selected as First Batch of Course-Thought-Politics Teaching Masters and Teaching Teams by Ministry of Education, Ranked 3rd
  • 2012. First Prize in Teaching Achievement in Surveying, Mapping and Geographic Information, National Administration of Surveying, Mapping and Geoinformation (Ranked 9th)
  • 2011. Top Ten Young Teachers in Teaching, Nanjing Normal University (8th Edition)
  • 2007. “ArcGIS Geographic Information System Spatial Analysis Experiment Tutorial” awarded First Prize in Jiangsu Province's High-Quality College Textbooks (Ranked 2nd)
  • 2012. First Prize in Teaching Achievement in Surveying, Mapping, and Geographic Information, National Administration of Surveying, Mapping and Geoinformation, Ranked 9th • 2011. Top Ten Young Teachers in Teaching, Nanjing Normal University

【Guiding Students to Win Awards】

  • 2024. Outstanding Instructor, 13th National College Student GIS Application Skills Competition; student awarded Grand Prize
  • 2018. Advisor for Jiangsu Province Outstanding Academic Master's Thesis: “Research on Automated Terrain Sketching Based on DEM”
  • 2014. Outstanding Instructor, 3rd National College Student GIS Application Skills Competition; student awarded First Prize
  • 2013. Outstanding Instructor, 2nd National College Student GIS Application Skills Competition; student awarded Grand Prize
  • 2013. Outstanding Instructor, SuperMap Cup 13th National University GIS Competition; student awarded First Prize in Thesis Category