I originally come from Noosa, Australia, but have been in Townsville at JCU since 2012. Currently I am a postdoctoral research fellow in the Research Hub for Coral Reef Ecosystem Functions at James Cook University, Australia. My primary activity in this position is conducting research that centres on the functional ecology of coral reefs, with this work covering an array of taxonomic groups across multiple spatial scales. Specifically, my research ranges from conducting small-scale field-based studies that examine the functional roles of key organisms and the interactions between them, through to global-scale studies that use a macroecological approach to understand how coral reefs function, and have changed, at large scales. My current role also involves teaching in undergraduate and postgraduate courses, with a particular focus on the ecology and evolution of reef fishes. I also remain an avid aquarium-keeper, with eight-years of experience working in the aquarium industry prior to diving into the world of coral reef research.

Teaching

• MB3160: Evolution and Ecology of Reef Fishes (Level 3; TSV)

Interests

Research

• Coral reef ecology with particular emphasis on the role of algae.
• Understanding the feeding ecology and ecological roles of reef fishes.
• The influence of disturbances and stressors on coral reef organisms and ecosystem functioning.
• Developing frameworks for identifying, quantifying, and managing critical ecosystem functions on coral reefs.

Experience

• 2022 to 2024 - Postdoctoral Research Fellow, James Cook University (Townsville)
• 2019 to 2022 - Doctoral Candidate, James Cook University (Townsville)
• 2017 to 2018 - Research Assistant, James Cook University (Townsville)

Research Disciplines

• Ecology (3103)
• Environmental management (4104)

Socio-Economic Objectives

• Marine systems and management (1805)
• Expanding knowledge (2801)
• Coastal and estuarine systems and management (1802)

Awards

• 2023 - Dean’s Award for Higher Degree by Research Excellence
• 2022 - Australian Marine Sciences Association-NQ conference award
• 2020 - Virginia Chadwick Award for an Outstanding Publication
• 2017 - Dr R Palmerston-Rundle Prize for Biological Sciences
• 2015 - James Cook University Academic Medal (Bachelor Coursework)
• 2015 - Port of Townsville Limited Prize in Marine Biology
• 2015 - Chris Alexander Memorial Prizes for Marine Biology (Prize B)

These are the most recent publications associated with this author. To see a detailed profile of all publications stored at JCU, visit ResearchOnline@JCU. Hover over Altmetrics badges to see social impact.

Journal Articles

• Morais J, Tebbett S, Morais Araujo R and Bellwood D (2024) Natural recovery of corals after severe disturbance. Ecology Letters, 27 (1).
• Tebbett S, Bellwood D, Bassett T, Cuttler M, Moustaka M, Wilson S, Yan H and Evans R (2024) The limited role of herbivorous fishes and turf-based trophic pathways in the functioning of turbid coral reefs. Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries, 34 (1). pp. 349-460
• Douglas S, Tebbett S, Choukroun S, Goatley C and Bellwood D (2023) Depth stratified light trap sampling reveals variation in the depth distribution of late-stage cryptobenthic reef fish larvae. Coral Reefs, 42 (2). pp. 507-512
• Gahan J, Bellwood D, Nankervis L and Tebbett S (2023) Spatial and temporal variability in tropical off-reef zooplankton across broad spatial and temporal scales. Marine Environmental Research, 191.
• Tebbett S, Schlaefer J, Bowden C, Collins W, Hemingson C, Ling S, Morais J, Morais R, Siqueira A, Streit R, Swan S and Bellwood D (2023) Bio-physical determinants of sediment accumulation on an offshore coral reef: A snapshot study. Science of the Total Environment, 895.
• Tebbett S, Crisp S, Evans R, Fulton C, Pessarrodona A, Wernberg T, Wilson S and Bellwood D (2023) On the Challenges of Identifying Benthic Dominance on Anthropocene Coral Reefs. BioScience, 73 (3). pp. 220-228
• Tebbett S, Connolly S and Bellwood D (2023) Benthic composition changes on coral reefs at global scales. Nature Ecology and Evolution, 7 (1). pp. 71-81
• Tebbett S, Bennett S and Bellwood D (in press) A functional perspective on the meaning of the term ‘herbivore’: patterns versus processes in coral reef fishes. Coral Reefs,
• Arjunwadkar C, Tebbett S, Bellwood D, Bourne D and Smith H (2022) Algal turf structure and composition vary with particulate loads on coral reefs. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 181.
• Bowden C, Streit R, Bellwood D and Tebbett S (2022) A 3D perspective on sediment turnover and feeding selectivity in blennies. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 180.
• Crisp S, Tebbett S and Bellwood D (2022) A critical evaluation of benthic phase shift studies on coral reefs. Marine Environmental Research, 178.
• Morais J, Morais Araujo R, Tebbett S and Bellwood D (2022) On the fate of dead coral colonies. Functional Ecology, 36 (12). pp. 3148-3160

More

ResearchOnline@JCU stores 51+ research outputs authored by Dr Sterling Tebbett from 2016 onwards.

Current and recent Research Funding to JCU is shown by funding source and project.

Advisory Accreditation: I can be on your Advisory Panel as a Secondary Advisor.

These Higher Degree Research projects are either current or by students who have completed their studies within the past 5 years at JCU. Linked titles show theses available within ResearchOnline@JCU.

Current

• Planktivorous fishes on coral reefs: A trophic exploration (PhD , Secondary Advisor)

These are the most recent metadata records associated with this researcher. To see a detailed description of all dataset records, visit Research Data Australia.

• Bellwood, D. (2020) Data from: Subconscious biases in coral reef fish studies. James Cook University
• Tebbett, S. (2019) Data from: A 3D perspective on sediment accumulation in algal turfs: implications of coral reef flattening. James Cook University

The map shows research collaborations by institution from the past 7 years.
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