Kylee Lightbody

Honours Student

Current Research

In recent years, the focus on kelp beds as a potential source of blue carbon has
increased due to emerging evidence suggesting long-term storage through
sequestration. To better understand their role in carbon sequestration and manage
their conservation, the distribution of kelp species must be well quantified.
However, because of their expansive suitable habitat, large-scale studies (100s km)
are often favoured over small-scale assessments (100s m – 10s km). This bias
towards large-scale sampling could overlook important patterns in species
distribution and abundance patterns that occur at smaller scales. My research aims
to address the contribution of site-specific variability in kelp abundance and its
relation to larger scale patterns in kelp distribution. It will also look at how this
affects kelp abundance and biomass estimates for Nova Scotia by measuring small-
scale, within-site, variability through sampling kelp beds in the Eastern Shore
Islands and Southern Shore of Nova Scotia.

Scholarships and awards

  • NSERC Rob Stewart USRA Research Award in Marine Conservation (2023)
  • KKN Social & Environmental Sustainability Scholarship (2019-present)
  • Dean’s List (2019-present)
  • Maggie Cumming’s Legacy Bursary (2021 & 2022)
  • Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarship (2021)
  • BICF Academic Scholarship (2021)
  • Study/Work International Fund Bursary (2021)
  • Dalhousie Student Society Personal Grant (2021)
  • Dalhousie University In-Course Scholarship (2019)

Previous Experience

Aquatic Research Technician
Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Vancouver, Canada
Sept – Dec 2022
Marine Research & Conservation Intern
Cape Eleuthera Institute
Eleuthera, The Bahamas
Jan – May 2022
Aquatron Technician
Dalhousie University – Aquatron Laboratory
Halifax, Canada
Sept – Dec 2021
Aquatic Technician
Palmer Environmental Consulting Group
Vancouver, Canada
May – Sept 2021
Benthic Surveyor Volunteer
Blue Ventures
Andavadoaka, Madagascar
Mar – May 2019

Contact

Kylee.Lightbody@dal.ca