Characterising biodiversity patterns associated with marine oil and gas infrastructure using environmental DNA

Abstract

Environmental DNA metabarcoding is under-utilised at marine infrastructure, which can develop extensive biotic communities. To optimise environmental DNA at these challenging environments, I trialled and applied novel collection methods and analysed biodiversity at eight oil and gas platforms in the Gulf of Thailand. This data was used to inform impacts of potential decommissioning. This research demonstrates the enormous potential of eDNA as an ecosystem-wide monitoring approach as well as an informative tool for marine management.