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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.
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.
Recent news from my publications and projects!
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)