John Melack

John Melack is a Professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) since 1977, affiliated with the Department of Geography. His research focuses on ecological and hydrological processes in lakes, wetlands, and catchments, with a strong emphasis on remote sensing applications. He has conducted long-term studies in the Amazon Basin, Pantanal, Sierra Nevada, and Mono Lake. Notable honors include Fellowships with the AAAS and AGU, and a Blaustein Visiting Professorship at Stanford.

Education:

• B.A. in Biological Sciences, Cornell University
• Ph.D. in Limnology, Duke University
• Postdoctoral Fellowship, University of Michigan

Research Interests:

Melack investigates limnological processes, biogeochemical cycles, and hydrological dynamics in freshwater ecosystems. His work integrates field observations, satellite remote sensing, and hydrodynamic modeling to study climate impacts on aquatic systems. Key areas include methane emissions from tropical floodplains, carbon fluxes in high-elevation lakes, and the effects of wildfires on aridland stream chemistry.

Grants & Advising:

• Leads the Santa Barbara Coastal Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) project, linking coastal watersheds to marine ecosystems.
• Long-term studies on Sierra Nevada lakes and Amazon floodplains span over three decades.

Awards:

• Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
• Fellow of the American Geophysical Union (AGU)
• Blaustein Visiting Professor at Stanford University

Labs & Collaborations:

Melack collaborates with institutions globally, applying remote sensing to monitor lake dynamics and Amazon hydrology. He is a core member of the Santa Barbara Coastal LTER team.