Oliver Thomas

I am a PhD student currently studying “Intertidal seagrass meadows in Southwest England: the ecological and socio-economic benefits of restoration”.

My project utilises a range of multidisciplinary techniques to understand the nature and scale of the ecosystem services provided by intertidal seagrass meadows in Southwest England.

I primarily investigate the organic carbon storage potential and associated benthic biodiversity of the meadows. I also use remote-sensing techniques including drones and satellites, to survey my study sites and to map changes in meadow extent and density over time.

My project is funded by Marine Research Plymouth: a pioneering collaboration between The University of Plymouth, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, and The Marine Biological Association.

Key words: Natural capital, Ecosystem Services, Seagrass, Zostera noltei, Coastal Ecology, Blue carbon

Supervisors: 

Professor Melanie Austen (UoP), Director of Studies

Professor Martin Attrill (UoP)

Dr Lauren Biermann (PML)

Dr Dan Smale (MBA) 

Previous Employment

2019 - 2020: Environment Officer: Devon and Severn Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority

2017 - 2019: Scientific Fisheries Observer: The Falkland Islands Government Fisheries Department

Qualifications

2015 - 2016: MSc Marine Resource Development and Protection, Heriot-Watt University

2011 - 2014: BSc (Hons) Marine Biology (2:1), Bangor University.

Professional membership

Member of the Marine Biological Association of the UK