Overview
Background
Reconciling biodiversity conservation with development pressures is one of the world’s greatest sustainability challenges. This is particularly true given the myriad ways that human wellbeing directly depends on well-functioning ecosystems. My research seeks to understand where, when and how to manage and conserve landscapes, so as to beneift both nature and people. I use land use change models, coupled with remote sensing and GIS datasets, to predict how future development projects (e.g. mines, hydropower dams, transportation infrastructure) will impact biodiversity and ecosystem services. This information allows us to compare the costs and benefits of alternative management interventions and, ultimately, provides the knowledge needed to make more informed decisions. My research benefits from collaborating across disciplines (ecology, economics, engineering) and working alongside government and non-government organizations. I am currently conducting projects in Australia, Brazil and the USA.
Availability
- Associate Professor Laura Sonter is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours), The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
- Postgraduate Diploma in Mineral Resources, The University of Queensland
Works
Search Professor Laura Sonter’s works on UQ eSpace
2011
Other Outputs
Quantitative approach to improving the business of biodiversity investment: final report
Barrett, Damian, Sonter, Laura, Almarza, Anthony, Franks, Daniel M., Moran, Chris, Cohen, Tamar and Hedemann, Chris (2011). Quantitative approach to improving the business of biodiversity investment: final report. ACARP Project Number: C17030 Brisbane, Australia: Centre for Water in the Minerals Industry, Sustainable Minerals Institute, University of Queensland.
2011
Conference Publication
Environmental offsets: understanding cost/benefit trade-offs at the landscape scale
Barrett, D. J., Wettle, M., Sonter, L. J., Franks, D. M. and Almarza, A. (2011). Environmental offsets: understanding cost/benefit trade-offs at the landscape scale. Sustainable Development Conference 2011 (SD2011), Mackay, Australia, 24-26 October 2011.
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Laura Sonter is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Impacts of mining for renewable energy transition on biodiversity
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Daniel Franks
-
Doctor Philosophy
Managing Ecosystem Services in a Highly Connected World
Associate Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Sourcing battery minerals - from the land or sea?
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Sreekar Rachakonda, Professor Eve McDonald-Madden
-
Doctor Philosophy
Towards a Holistic Understanding of Artisanal Small-Scale Mining Impacts on Wet-Tropical Forest: A Regional Analysis, Kalimantan, Indonesia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Matthew Luskin, Professor Stuart Phinn
Completed supervision
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding and Managing Ecosystem Services in Mining Environments using Indigenous Perspectives
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Peter Erskine
-
2025
Doctor Philosophy
Mining, Biodiversity, and Area-Based Conservation: Risks and Opportunities
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Richard Fuller
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
Managing ecosystem services for multiple beneficiaries
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Hugh Possingham
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Development, armed conflict and conservation: improving the effectiveness of conservation decisions in conflict hotspots using Colombia as a case study
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Hugh Possingham, Professor James Watson, Professor Martine Maron
Media
Enquiries
Contact Associate Professor Laura Sonter directly for media enquiries about:
- biodiversity impacts of mining
- biodiversity offsets
- conservation policy
- deforestation
- ecosystem services
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