如硕士论文(1991年)系统研究了中国暖温带变性土(黑粘土类)的形成和分类。博士论文(1995年)研究了华北平原冲积土壤的质地层次空间分异特征及对农田水平衡的影响。1998年主持国家自然科学基金面上项目“冲积土壤质地层次空间变化的模拟研究”。自1999年以来在开展离散空间变量的多维马尔可夫链模拟研究中,通过长期不懈的努力,在艰难处境中与张传荣教授合作逐步提出了多维马尔可夫链模拟的一系列理论、方法和技术,构建了“马尔可夫链地统计学”,成为地统计学和地球空间分析上的一个独立的理论方法体系。另外在网络GIS、遥感图像处理、土壤空间变异描述模拟和区域环境模拟等方面也取得了重要进展。马尔可夫链地统计学(Markov chain geostatistics)的主要论文于2007年发表于数学地质(Math. Geol.)和美国土壤学会会刊(Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J.)等国际刊物上,主要内容包括“马链随机域”(Markov chain random field)理论及有关模拟算法和“转移概率函数”(Transiogram)理论及有关联合拟合方法。有关理论分别从数学推导和实例验证上得到了证明。该研究被认为是“对地统计学和地球空间分析的重大贡献”,提出了新的概念、理论和方法,开辟了空间统计学研究上的一个新领域。在国际数学地质、地理学、土壤学和水文学等学界引起很大关注。在地理信息、土壤、数学地质、环境统计和遥感等领域国际刊物上发表了一系列重要学术论文。该研究到目前为止已发表有关国际刊物论文17篇,建立起了一个理论方法体系框架,未来的扩展和应用仍将是一个长期的工作。自1992年以来,李卫东博士共发表学术论文近70篇,其中第一作者论文40余篇,英文论文40余篇,国际刊物论文30余篇。他于2007年春应邀编写国际人文地理百科全书马尔可夫链分析一文,在2008年和2009年多次被提名到美洲名人录。 1.Zhang, C., T. Zhao, and W. Li. 2010. Automatic search of geospatial features for disaster and emergency management. International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation, doi:10.1016/j.jag.2010.05.004.2., W., C. Zhang, D.K. Dey, and S. Wang. 2010. Estimating threshold-exceeding probability maps of continuous environmental variables with Markov chain random fields. Stochastic Environmental Research and Risk Assessment, doi:10.1007/略-9. 3.Zhang, C., T. Zhao, W. Li, and J. Osleeb. 2010. Towards logic-based geospatial feature discovery and integration using web feature service and geospatial semantic web. International Journal of Geographical Information Science, 24(6): 903-923.4., W. and C. Zhang. 2010. Linear interpolation and joint model fitting of experimental transiograms for Markov chain simulation of categorical spatial variables. International Journal of Geographical Information Science, 24(6): 821-839.5.Zhang, C., T. Zhao, and W. Li. 2010. The framework for a geospatial semantic web based spatial decision support system for digital earth. International Journal of Digital Earth, 3(2): 111-134. 6., W. and C. Zhang. 2010. Simulating spatial distribution of clay layer occurrence depth in alluvial soils with a Markov chain geostatistical approach. Environmetrics, 21(1): 21?32.7.Zhang, C. W. Li, and D. Travis. 2009. Geostatistical restoration of clouded pixels in multispectral remotely sensed imagery. International Journal of Remote Sensing, 30(9): 2173-2195.8.Zhang, C., Z-R. Peng, T. Zhao and W. Li. 2008. Transformation of transportation data models from unified modeling language to web ontology language. Journal of the Transportation Research Board: Transportation Research Record, 2064: 81-89. 9.Zhang, C, and W. Li. 2008. Regional-scale modeling of the spatial distribution of surface and subsurface textural types in alluvial soils using Markov chain geostatistics. Soil Use and Management, 24(3): 263-272. 10., W., and C. Zhang. 2008. A single-chain-based multidimensional Markov chain model for subsurface characterization. Environmental and Ecological Statistics, 15(2): 157-174. 11.Zhang, C., and W. Li. 2008. A comparative study of nonlinear Markov chain models in conditional simulation of categorical variables from regular samples. Stochastic Environmental Research and Risk Assessment, 22(2): 217-230. 12., W. 2007. Markov chain random fields for estimation of categorical variables. Mathematically Geology, 39(3): 321-335. 13., W. 2007. A fixed-path Markov chain algorithm for conditional simulation of discrete spatial variables. Mathematical Geology, 39(2): 159-176.14., W. 2007. Transiograms for characterizing spatial variability of soil classes. Soil Science Society of American Journal, 71(3): 881-893.15., W., and C. Zhang, 2007. A random-path Markov chain algorithm for simulating categorical soil variables from random point samples. Soil Science Society of American Journal, 71(3): 656-668.16.Zhang, C., W. Li, and T. Zhao. 2007. Geospatial data sharing based on geospatial semantic web technologies. Journal of Spatial Science, 52(2): 11-25.17.Zhang, C., and W. Li. 2007. Comparing a fixed-path Markov chain geostatistical algorithm with sequential indicator simulation in categorical variable simulation from regular samples. GIScience & Remote Sensing, 44(3): 251-266.18.Zhang, C., W. Li, and D. Travis. 2007. Gaps-fill of SLC-off Landsat ETM+ satellite image using a geostatistical approach. International Journal of Remote Sensing, 28(22): 5103-5122. 19. W. 2006. Transiogram: A spatial relationship measure for categorical data. International Journal of Geographical Information Science, 20(6): 693-699. 20., W., and C. Zhang. 2006. A generalized Markov chain approach for conditional simulation of categorical variables from grid samples. Transactions in GIS, 10(4): 651-669.21.Zhang, C., W. Li and M. Day. 2006. Effective protected-area boundary designation in China using a web-based spatial decision support system. Journal of Spatial Science, 51(2): 33-46. 22., W., and C. Zhang. 2005. Application of transiograms to Markov chain modeling and spatial uncertainty assessment of land cover classes. GIScience & Remote Sensing, 42(4): 297-319.23., W., C. Zhang, J.E. Burt, and A. Zhu. 2005. A Markov chain-based probability vector approach for modeling spatial uncertainties of soil classes. Soil Science Society of American Journal, 69(6): 1931-1942.24.Zhang, C., and W. Li. 2005. The roles of Web Feature and Web Map Services in real-time geospatial data sharing for time-critical applications. Cartography and Geographical Information Science, 32(4): 269-283. 25.Zhang, C., W. Li and M. Day. 2005. Towards establishing effective protective boundaries for the Lunan Stone Forest using an online spatial decision support system. Acta Cars.