
Overview
Background
Conserving biodiversity is essential for maintaining the health of the environment upon which human life and wellbeing relies. But the task will only get harder, with human pressures increasing in magnitude and ubiquity. My research tackles questions central to this challenge. A particular focus is biodiversity net gain policy, particularly the design and consequences of biodiversity offsetting, as well as the conservation and restoration of Australia’s woodlands and woodland bird assemblages. I collaborate with a broad network of individuals and organisations including government and non-government bodies to help achieve effective uptake of research findings into policy and environmental management. Sound conservation policy is essential if we are to apply ecological knowledge to reduce and ultimately halt biodiversity declines. I provide guidance on offset/no net loss/net gain policy development internationally including in Malaysia, the UK, Mozambique, and Guinea, and to intergovernmental convening bodies including IPBES, the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, the Convention on Biological Diversity, and the IUCN. I currently chair the IUCN’s Impact Mitigation and Ecological Compensation Thematic Group, am a director of BirdLife Australia and the Australian Wildlife Conservancy, and am a member of the Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists and The Biodiversity Council. My research group is part of the Centre for Biodiversity & Conservation Science.
Availability
- Professor Martine Maron is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours) of Science (Advanced), Monash University
- Doctor of Philosophy, Monash University
- Postgraduate Diploma, University of Southern Queensland
Research interests
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Conservation policy
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Community ecology
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Woodland conservation and management
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Threatened species
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Spatial ecology
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Biodiversity accounting
Research impacts
I collaborate with conservation policymakers at State, National (e.g. New Zealand, Australia, Mozambique) and international (IUCN, UN, IPBES) levels to achieve policy change and benefits for biodiversity. Example impacts include:
- Science input to the drafting process of goals and targets for the Convention on Biological Diversity post-2020 Global Biodiversity Strategy (Diaz et al. 2020)
- Led writing of the first international policy on biodiversity offsetting for the IUCN
- Development of the Conceptual Framework for Land Degradation Neutrality, adopted by 129 countries to date, to implement the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
- Designed several widely-used tools to implement best-practice application of the mitigation hierarchy, including Australia’s Environmental Offsets Assessment Guide and Reef Trust Financial Contributions Offsets Calculator, New Zealand’s offset accounting model, and Mozambique’s new Impact Mitigation decree
- Participated in the Consultative Group and Technical Group advising the EPBC Act review drafting proposed new National Environmental Standards for Australia for the Samuel Review
- Achieved listing of a Key Threatening Process under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act: “Aggressive exclusion of birds from potential woodland and forest habitat by over-abundant noisy miners (Manorina melanocephala)” and authored the Threat Abatement Advice for this KTP
- Developed a definition, condition scoring approach, and nomination for “Temperate and Subtropical Woodland Bird Community” for listing as a threatened under the EPBC Act (currently under consideration)
Works
Search Professor Martine Maron’s works on UQ eSpace
2018
Journal Article
Ivory crisis: role of bioprinting technology (Response)
Biggs, Duan, Smith, Robert J., Adams, Vanessa M., Brink, Henry, Cook, Carly N., Cooney, Rosie, Holden, Matthew H., Maron, Martine, Phelps, Jacob, Possingham, Hugh P., Redford, Kent H., Scholes, Robert J., Sutherland, William J., Underwood, Fiona M. and Milner-Gulland, E. J. (2018). Ivory crisis: role of bioprinting technology (Response). Science, 360 (6386), 277-278. doi: 10.1126/science.aat1596
2018
Journal Article
Consequences of impediments to animal movements at different scales: a conceptual framework and review
Cosgrove, Anita J., Mcwhorter, Todd J. and Maron, Martine (2018). Consequences of impediments to animal movements at different scales: a conceptual framework and review. Diversity and Distributions, 24 (4), 448-459. doi: 10.1111/ddi.12699
2018
Journal Article
Biodiversity offsets may miss opportunities to mitigate impacts on ecosystem services
Sonter, Laura J., Gourevitch, Jesse, Koh, Insu, Nicholson, Charles C., Richardson, Leif L., Schwartz, Aaron J., Singh, Nitin K., Watson, Keri B., Maron, Martine and Ricketts, Taylor H. (2018). Biodiversity offsets may miss opportunities to mitigate impacts on ecosystem services. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 16 (3), 143-148. doi: 10.1002/fee.1781
2018
Journal Article
The scale-dependent role of biological traits in landscape ecology: A review
Suárez-Castro, Andrés Felipe, Simmonds, Jeremy S., Mitchell, Matthew G. E., Maron, Martine and Rhodes, Jonathan R. (2018). The scale-dependent role of biological traits in landscape ecology: A review. Current Landscape Ecology Reports, 3 (1), 12-22. doi: 10.1007/s40823-018-0031-y
2018
Journal Article
Grassy patch size and structure are important for northern eastern bristlebird persistence in a dynamic ecosystem
Stone, Zoë L., Tasker, Elizabeth and Maron, Martine (2018). Grassy patch size and structure are important for northern eastern bristlebird persistence in a dynamic ecosystem. Emu, 118 (3), 269-280. doi: 10.1080/01584197.2018.1425628
2018
Journal Article
The risks and opportunities of translating terrestrial biodiversity offsets to the marine realm
Shumway, Nicole, Watson, James E. M., Saunders, Megan I. and Maron, Martine (2018). The risks and opportunities of translating terrestrial biodiversity offsets to the marine realm. Bioscience, 68 (2), 125-133. doi: 10.1093/biosci/bix150
2018
Journal Article
The many meanings of no net loss in environmental policy
Maron, Martine, Brownlie, Susie , Bull, Joseph W. , Evans, Megan C. , von Hase, Amrei , Quétier , Fabien , Watson, James E. M. and Gordon, Ascelin (2018). The many meanings of no net loss in environmental policy. Nature Sustainability, 1 (1), 19-27. doi: 10.1038/s41893-017-0007-7
2018
Book Chapter
Is "no net loss of biodiversity" a good idea?
Maron, Martine (2018). Is "no net loss of biodiversity" a good idea?. Effective conservation science: data not dogma. (pp. 141-146) edited by Peter Kareiva, Michelle Marvier and Brian Silliman. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/oso/9780198808978.003.0022
2018
Journal Article
Systematic definition of threatened fauna communities is critical to their conservation
Fraser, Hannah, Simmonds, Jeremy S., Kutt, Alex S. and Maron, Martine (2018). Systematic definition of threatened fauna communities is critical to their conservation. Diversity and Distributions, 25 (3), 462-477. doi: 10.1111/ddi.12875
2018
Journal Article
Short-term response of a declining woodland bird assemblage to the removal of a despotic competitor
Davitt, Galen, Maute, Kimberly, Major, Richard E., Mcdonald, Paul G. and Maron, Martine (2018). Short-term response of a declining woodland bird assemblage to the removal of a despotic competitor. Ecology and Evolution, 8 (10), 4771-4780. doi: 10.1002/ece3.4016
2018
Journal Article
The threats to Australia's imperilled species and implications for a national conservation response
Kearney, Stephen G., Cawardine, Josie, Reside, April E., Fisher, Diana O., Maron, Martine, Doherty, Tim S., Legge, Sarah, Silcock, Jennifer, Woinarski, John C. Z., Garnett, Stephen T., Wintle, Brendan A. and Watson, James E. M. (2018). The threats to Australia's imperilled species and implications for a national conservation response. Pacific Conservation Biology, 25 (3), 231-244. doi: 10.1071/PC18024
2017
Journal Article
Breaking the deadlock on ivory
Biggs, Duan, Holden, Matthew H., Braczkowski, Alex, Cook, Carly N., Milner-Gulland, E. J., Phelps, Jacob, Scholes, Robert J., Smith, Robert J., Underwood, Fiona M., Adams, Vanessa M., Allan, James, Brink, H., Cooney, R., Gao, Y., Hutton, J., Macdonald-Madden, Eve, Maron, Martine, Redford, Kent H., Sutherland, William J. and Possingham, Hugh P. (2017). Breaking the deadlock on ivory. Science, 358 (6369), 1378-1381. doi: 10.1126/science.aan5215
2017
Journal Article
Assessing the effectiveness of regulation to protect threatened forests
Rhodes, Jonathan R., Cattarino, Lorenzo, Seabrook, Leonie and Maron, Martine (2017). Assessing the effectiveness of regulation to protect threatened forests. Biological Conservation, 216, 33-42. doi: 10.1016/j.biocon.2017.09.020
2017
Journal Article
Land in balance: The scientific conceptual framework for Land Degradation Neutrality
Cowie, Annette L., Orr, Barron J., Castillo Sanchez, Victor M., Chasek, Pamela, Crossman, Neville D., Erlewein, Alexander, Louwagie, Geertrui, Maron, Martine, Metternicht, Graciela I., Minelli, Sara, Tengberg, Anna E., Walter, Sven and Welton, Shelley (2017). Land in balance: The scientific conceptual framework for Land Degradation Neutrality. Environmental Science and Policy, 79, 25-35. doi: 10.1016/j.envsci.2017.10.011
2017
Journal Article
Using individual-condition measures to predict the long-term importance of habitat extent for population persistence
Cosgrove, Anita J., McWhorter, Todd J. and Maron, Martine (2017). Using individual-condition measures to predict the long-term importance of habitat extent for population persistence. Conservation Biology, 31 (5), 1141-1151. doi: 10.1111/cobi.12903
2017
Other Outputs
Just ten MPs represent more than 600 threatened species in their electorates
Watson, James, Reside, April, Williams, Brooke, Possingham, Hugh, Maron, Martine, Ward, Michelle, Fuller, Richard, Atkinson, Scott Consaul and Kearney, Stephen (2017, 09 07). Just ten MPs represent more than 600 threatened species in their electorates The Conversation
2017
Journal Article
Striking underrepresentation of biodiversity-rich regions among editors of conservation journals
Campos-Arceiz, Ahimsa, Primack, Richard B., Miller-Rushing, Abraham J. and Maron, Martine (2017). Striking underrepresentation of biodiversity-rich regions among editors of conservation journals. Biological Conservation, 220, 330-333. doi: 10.1016/j.biocon.2017.07.028
2017
Other Outputs
Scientific integrity must be defended, our planet depends on it
Ritchie, Euan, Watson, James, Kerr, Jeremy and Maron, Martine (2017, 07 26). Scientific integrity must be defended, our planet depends on it The Conversation
2017
Journal Article
Defending the scientific integrity of conservation-policy processes
Carroll, Carlos, Hartl, Brett, Goldman, Gretchen T., Rohlf, Daniel J., Treves, Adrian, Kerr, Jeremy T., Ritchie, Euan G., Kingsford, Richard T., Gibbs, Katherine E., Maron, Martine and Watson, James E. M. (2017). Defending the scientific integrity of conservation-policy processes. Conservation Biology, 31 (5), 967-975. doi: 10.1111/cobi.12958
2017
Other Outputs
The Great Barrier Reef isn’t listed as ‘in danger’ - but it’s still in big trouble
Watson, James and Maron, Martine (2017, 07 07). The Great Barrier Reef isn’t listed as ‘in danger’ - but it’s still in big trouble The Conversation
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Martine Maron is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
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Ecological and conservation impacts of noisy miner Manorina melanocephala control in subtropical woodlands
This exciting project aims to develop a greater understanding of the effects of noisy miners Manorina melaocephala on the health of subtropical woodland ecosystems, and test an experimental approach to reducing negative impacts. The fieldwork will be based in the woodland landscapes around the UQ Hidden Vale Wildlife Centre in south-east Queensland, about 1.5 hours from the St Lucia campus. You would be joining the vibrant Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science at the University of Queensland.
We are seeking students with experience in Australian bird and/or plant identification and survey methods, and an enthusiasm for field-based work. Field expenses are funded, but the successful applicant would need to apply for PhD candidature and scholarship through The University of Queensland: Doctor of Philosophy - Study - The University of Queensland (uq.edu.au). At this stage, we are only able to accept applications from domestic students.
To express your interest in this position, please contact Professor Martine Maron m.maron@uq.edu.au with a CV and cover email.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Improving biodiversity offset policy for application in intact tropical landscapes
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Making businesses work for biodiversity: Decision-support tools for integrating biodiversity conservation into the finance sector
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Making businesses work for biodiversity: Decision-support tools for integrating biodiversity conservation into the finance sector
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Integrating conservation with production in Queensland grazing landscapes
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Kieren McCosker
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Doctor Philosophy
New metrics to measure and track bird community condition in Australia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr April Reside
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Doctor Philosophy
Trophic release, ecological cascades, and zoonotic disease risk of a terrestrial predator and mesopredator guild adapted to anthropogenic disturbances in Namibia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Matthew Luskin
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Doctor Philosophy
The Influence of the Prospect of Biodiversity Offsetting on Development Impact Permitting
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Brian Head
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Doctor Philosophy
The FaunaHealth Index: A holistic approach to mammal community health.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr April Reside
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Doctor Philosophy
Conserving Koalas on Private Land under Climate Change
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Ecology and conservation of the Buff-breasted Button-quail (Turnix olivii)
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor James Watson
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Doctor Philosophy
Autecology of an endangered Australian passerine: CarpentarianGrasswren (Amytornis dorotheae)
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor James Watson
Completed supervision
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2022
Master Philosophy
Black-backed jackals in a mixed-use landscape in the southern Namib Desert
Principal Advisor
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Biodiversity Risks and Safeguards of Global Infrastructure Finance: The Case of China's Belt and Road Initiative
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor James Watson
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
The value of understorey vegetation to woodland and forest bird communities as a resource and potential deterrent of key threatening process: overabundant native noisy miners (Manorina melanocephala)
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr April Reside
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Impact mitigation in marine and coastal environments: policy challenges and shortfalls
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor James Watson
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Population estimates of large carnivores and their conflict with humans in East Africa and India
Principal Advisor
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Development, armed conflict and conservation: improving the effectiveness of conservation decisions in conflict hotspots using Colombia as a case study
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Hugh Possingham, Associate Professor Laura Sonter, Professor James Watson
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2018
Doctor Philosophy
Habitat requirements for the reintroduction and persistence of the Northern Eastern Bristlebird (Dasyornis brachypterus)
Principal Advisor
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Why are woodland-dependent avian insectivore populations vulnerable to declines in highly-modified landscapes?
Principal Advisor
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Implications of vegetation clearing biases for the interpretation of landscape-scale species-area relationships
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Berndt Janse Van Rensburg
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2015
Doctor Philosophy
Effects of habitat extent and forest disturbance on bird communities in lowland Nepal
Principal Advisor
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2015
Doctor Philosophy
DRIVERS OF DIVERSITY AT THE LOCAL- AND LANDSCAPE-SCALE IN A FIRE-PRONE LANDSCAPE
Principal Advisor
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
EFFECTS OF MATRIX INTENSIFICATION ON THE DISTRIBUTION AND CONDITION OF FOREST BIRDS IN SOUTH-WEST GHANA, WEST AFRICA
Principal Advisor
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2013
Doctor Philosophy
Spatial ecology of invasive meso-size predators in agricultural landscapes.
Principal Advisor
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2012
Doctor Philosophy
Territorial competition by an aggressive species challenges the conservation of eastern Australian woodland avifauna
Principal Advisor
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Ecology and conservation of the Buff-breasted Button-quail (Turnix olivii)
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor James Watson
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
The effect of fire and livestock grazing on mammals and reptiles in Central Queensland
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr April Reside
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
From Observations to Indicators: The Status and Conservation of Taiwan's Birds
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Tatsuya Amano, Professor Richard Fuller
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Bioacoustic monitoring of breeding behaviour in the endangered Kangaroo Island glossy black-cockatoo, Calyptorhynchus lathami halmaturinus, and south-eastern red-tailed black-cockatoo, Calyptorhynchus banksii graptogyne
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Berndt Janse Van Rensburg
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Conserving shorebirds in human-dominated landscapes
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Richard Fuller
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2018
Doctor Philosophy
Assessing the effects of landscape structure on the relationship between species diversity and functional diversity
Associate Advisor
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2018
Doctor Philosophy
Drivers of sociability and fission-fusion dynamics in a population of wild giraffes (Giraffa Camelopardalis)
Associate Advisor
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the behavioural trade-offs made by blue wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus): the importance of resources, predation and the landscape
Associate Advisor
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
Identifying critical habitat for threatened species: concepts and challenges
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Hugh Possingham
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Multi-scale patterns of habitat use by reptiles in regenerating dryland landscapes
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Craig Franklin
Media
Enquiries
Contact Professor Martine Maron directly for media enquiries about:
- Bird ecology
- Birds - conservation
- Conservation - birds
- Conservation biology
- Conservation policy
- Habitat offsets
- Landscape ecology
- Restoration ecology
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