Tom W Bell
  • About
  • Teaching
  • Publications
  • CV
  • Code+Data
  • About
  • Teaching
  • Publications
  • CV
  • Code+Data
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​Assistant Research Scientist          

Earth Research Institute
University of California, Santa Barbara      
Santa Barbara , CA 93106

tbell@ucsb.edu

Education
Ph.D. (2016) University of California, Santa Barbara, Marine Science
M.Sc. (2011) San Diego State University, Ecology
B.A. (2006) University of California, Berkeley, Integrative Biology
B.A. (2006) University of California, Berkeley, Legal Studies
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Research Interests

           I use a combination of field and laboratory studies, statistical and mechanistic models, and remote sensing to understand how the abundance and physiology of foundation species are spatially structured by environmental dynamics and biotic interactions. Foundation species structure entire ecological communities, which are often ecologically and economically important, by creating physical habitat and enhancing productivity. Thus, fundamental research which quantifies how a changing environment interacts with foundation species can lead to a greater understanding of the associated community.

       My research is motivated by understanding how the physical environment and intrinsic biotic factors drive the population and physiological dynamics of foundation species over local to global scales. I approach my work by integrating laboratory physiological measurements and field studies with emerging remote sensing technologies (e.g. hyperspectral imaging, unmanned vehicles, cloud-based processing tools) to more effectively understand ecosystem processes over large spatial scales.

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​Recent news from my publications and projects!

Autonomous Aquaculture's Kelp Crusaders, InsideUnmannedSystems

Spotting Salmon Spawning by Drone: Advancements in Redd Mapping, FISHBIO

Kelp Help, UCSB Current

The kelps are alright: Studies reveal resilience in kelp forests, Mongabay

Remote South American Kelp Forests Surveyed for First Time Since 1973, Phys.org

Satellite Data Boosts Understanding of Climate Change's Effects on Kelp, Phys.org


Testing the Waters, UCSB Current

Sustainable Ocean Development, UCSB Current

Cultivating Marine Biomass, (Press Release for ARPA-E Grant Announcement), UCSB Current

Kelp Helping Kelp, UCSB Current, ScienceDaily

Kelp Beats the Heat, UCSB Current, ScienceDaily, & EurekAlert

NSF Awards $13 Million in Coastal Sustainability Grants, APECS U Alaska SE, NSF Press Release

Finding Floating Forests: It Takes an Online Village to Map Massive Kelp, NASA Earth Observatory


​NASA Earth Observatory: Images of the Day

Kelp Losing Their Grip on the Seafloor (1/16/2015)

Finding Cortez (1/12/2015)

Floating Forests Revealed (1/5/2015)