Julia Mayer
PhD Candidate in Oceans and Fisheries, University of British Columbia
MSc Geography, University of British Columbia
BSc Geography and Environmental Science, The University of Dundee, UK
Contact
Spectral Lab Research:
Julia’s PhD project, a collaboration between UBC’s Changing Oceans Research Unit, UVic’s Spectral Remote Sensing Laboratory, and Ocean Wise, investigates the potential for kelp seaforestation in British Columbia under climate change. Using an ensemble of species distribution models, Julia estimates future kelp distributions and identifies refugia under different climate change scenarios. Taking into account ecosystem services, she focusses on determining potential conflicts and synergies between human activities and these predicted kelp refugia. Her findings directly inform the NGO Ocean Wise in their seaforestation efforts by enabling informed decisions on restoration sites that support the long-term success of these projects.
Background:
Julia has a background in oceanography, climate science, and coastal ecosystems. Her MSc thesis assessed past extreme wave events in Tarawa (Republic of Kiribati) and examined the potential vulnerability of its shorelines to sea-level rise and coral reef degradation. The findings provided a rare insight into the differences in vulnerability between lagoon-facing and open-ocean-facing shorelines of atolls during inundation events.
Outside work, Julia is passionate about exploring British Columbia’s diverse landscape. She is an avid runner, hiker, backpacker, and diver.
Expertise and Experience:
coastal ecosystems, species distribution modelling, climate change, kelp restoration
