Overview
Background
James is an applied conservation scientist and bioegeographer working at the interface between ecology, policy and management to improve outcomes for biodiversity. He has a particular interest in understanding how humanity influences landscape and the climate, and what this means for biodiversity and ecosystem service outcomes, and the implications of this for environmental policy setting and management.
As a Professor of Conservation Science at The University of Queensland, he leads two research groups. The Green Fire Science research group (www.greenfirescience.com) mission is to do applied research that is linked directly to the practice of large-scale conservation and the Research and Recovery of Endangered Species (https://raresgroup.com.au) mission is to focus on Australia's rarest, least studied species to try and work out their needs and work with those on-ground practioners to try and save them.
James has been passionate conservation for decades. As a Rhodes Scholar, James undertook his PhD research studying in Madagascar, trying to come up with conservation plans to save endemic bird species inhabiting the country’s remaining littoral forest. Since then he has published more than 400 peer-reviewed papers, book chapters and reports on conservation related matters, ranging from assessing the impacts of climate change on species to mapping the effectiveness of protected areas on biodiversity conservation outcomes globally. He has served on the International Panel for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) Data and Knowledge Task Force, and is a Research Fellow for the United Nation’s Environment Program, a Senior Technical expert for the United Nations Development Program’s Global Programme on Nature for Development, and was the founding chair of the International Union for Nature Conservation Climate Change Specialist Group. James sits on the scientific committees of BirdLife Australia and SUBAC. James was global president of the Society for Conservation Biology in 2015-17.
I am also an affiliated researcher at the Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science.
Availability
- Professor James Watson is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Oxford
Research interests
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Conservation policy and practice
Works
Search Professor James Watson’s works on UQ eSpace
2018
Journal Article
Estimating the benefit of well-managed protected areas for threatened species conservation
Kearney, Stephen G., Adams, Vanessa M., Fuller, Richard A., Possingham, Hugh P. and Watson, James E. M. (2018). Estimating the benefit of well-managed protected areas for threatened species conservation. Oryx, 54 (2), 1-9. doi: 10.1017/s0030605317001739
2018
Journal Article
One-third of global protected land is under intense human pressure
Jones, Kendall R., Venter, Oscar, Fuller, Richard A., Allan, James R., Maxwell, Sean L., Negret, Pablo Jose and Watson, James E. M. (2018). One-third of global protected land is under intense human pressure. Science, 360 (6390), 788-791. doi: 10.1126/science.aap9565
2018
Journal Article
A global mitigation hierarchy for nature conservation
Arlidge, William N. S., Bull, Joseph W., Addison, Prue F. E., Burgass, Michael J., Gianuca, Dimas, Gorham, Taylor M., Jacob, Céline, Shumway, Nicole, Sinclair, Samuel P., Watson, James E. M., Wilcox, Chris and Milner-Gulland, E. J. (2018). A global mitigation hierarchy for nature conservation. BioScience, 68 (5), 336-347. doi: 10.1093/biosci/biy029
2018
Journal Article
Author correction: The contribution of predators and scavengers to human well-being
O'Bryan, Christopher J., Braczkowski, Alexander R., Beyer, Hawthorne L., Carter, Neil H., Watson, James E. M. and McDonald-Madden, Eve (2018). Author correction: The contribution of predators and scavengers to human well-being. Nature Ecology & Evolution, 2 (5), 911-911. doi: 10.1038/s41559-018-0527-1
2018
Other Outputs
Helping farmers and reducing car crashes: the surprising benefits of predators
O'Bryan, Christopher, McDonald-Madden, Eve, Watson, James and Carter, Neil (2018, 04 23). Helping farmers and reducing car crashes: the surprising benefits of predators The Conversation
2018
Journal Article
Opportunities for biodiversity conservation as cities adapt to climate change
Butt, Nathalie, Shanahan, Danielle F., Shumway, Nicole, Bekessey, Sarah A., Fuller, Richard A., Watson, James E. M., Maggini, Ramona and Hole, David G. (2018). Opportunities for biodiversity conservation as cities adapt to climate change. Geo: geography and environment, 5 (1) e00052, e00052. doi: 10.1002/geo2.52
2018
Journal Article
Leopards provide public health benefits in Mumbai, India
Braczkowski, Alexander R., O'Bryan, Christopher J., Stringer, Martin J., Watson, James E. M., Possingham, Hugh P. and Beyer, Hawthorne L. (2018). Leopards provide public health benefits in Mumbai, India. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 16 (3), 176-182. doi: 10.1002/fee.1776
2018
Journal Article
Predicting the impact of logging activities on soil erosion and water quality in steep, forested tropical islands
Wenger, Amelia S., Atkinson, Scott, Santini, Talitha, Falinski, Kim, Hutley, Nicholas, Albert, Simon, Horning, Ned, Watson, James E. M., Mumby, Peter J. and Jupiter, Stacy D. (2018). Predicting the impact of logging activities on soil erosion and water quality in steep, forested tropical islands. Environmental Research Letters, 13 (4) 044035, 1-12. doi: 10.1088/1748-9326/aab9eb
2018
Journal Article
Queensland’s new land clearing bill will help turn the tide, despite its flaws
Cosgrove, Anita , Reside, April , Watson, James Edward and Maron, Martine (2018, 03 16). Queensland’s new land clearing bill will help turn the tide, despite its flaws
2018
Other Outputs
Ivory up in flames, but who really noticed? How messages on elephant poaching might be missed
Holden, Matthew H., Braczkowski, Alexander Richard, O'Bryan, Christopher, Biggs, Duan, Possingham, Hugh, Allan, James and Watson, James (2018, 03 12). Ivory up in flames, but who really noticed? How messages on elephant poaching might be missed The Conversation
2018
Other Outputs
We should embrace scavengers and predators
O'Bryan, Christopher J. and Watson, James (2018, 03 09). We should embrace scavengers and predators Scientific American
2018
Journal Article
Roles for scientific societies to engage with conservation policy
Reed, Sarah E., Thomas, Sarah L., Bednarek, Angela T., Dellasala, Dominick A., Evans, Megan C., Lundquist, Carolyn, Mascia, Michael B., Mcpherson, Tsitsi Y. and Watson, James E.M. (2018). Roles for scientific societies to engage with conservation policy. Conservation Biology, 32 (3), 513-515. doi: 10.1111/cobi.13092
2018
Journal Article
The extent and predictability of the biodiversity-carbon correlation
Di Marco, Moreno, Watson, James E. M., Currie, David J, Possingham, Hugh P. and Venter, Oscar (2018). The extent and predictability of the biodiversity-carbon correlation. Ecology Letters, 21 (3), 365-375. doi: 10.1111/ele.12903
2018
Journal Article
The exceptional value of intact forest ecosystems
Watson, James E M, Evans, Tom, Venter, Oscar, Williams, Brooke, Tulloch, Ayesha, Stewart, Claire, Thompson, Ian, Ray, Justina C, Murray, Kris, Salazar, Alvaro, McAlpine, Clive, Potapov, Peter, Walston, Joe, Robinson, John G, Painter, Michael, Wilkie, David, Filardi, Christopher, Laurance, William F, Houghton, Richard A, Maxwell, Sean, Grantham, Hedley, Samper, Cristián, Wang, Stephanie, Laestadius, Lars, Runting, Rebecca K, Silva-Chávez, Gustavo A, Ervin, Jamison and Lindenmayer, David (2018). The exceptional value of intact forest ecosystems. Nature ecology & evolution, 2 (4), 1-12. doi: 10.1038/s41559-018-0490-x
2018
Journal Article
Large-scale environmental degradation results in inequitable impacts to already impoverished communities: A case study from the floating villages of Cambodia
Althor, Glenn, Mahood, Simon, Witt, Bradd, Colvin, Rebecca M. and Watson, James E. M. (2018). Large-scale environmental degradation results in inequitable impacts to already impoverished communities: A case study from the floating villages of Cambodia. Ambio, 47 (7), 1-13. doi: 10.1007/s13280-018-1022-2
2018
Journal Article
Bias in protected-area location and its effects on long-term aspirations of biodiversity conventions
Venter, Oscar, Magrach, Ainhoa, Outram, Nick, Klein, Carissa Joy, Possingham, Hugh P, Di Marco, Moreno and Watson, James E M (2018). Bias in protected-area location and its effects on long-term aspirations of biodiversity conventions. Conservation Biology, 32 (1), 127-134. doi: 10.1111/cobi.12970
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
Gaps and opportunities for the World Heritage Convention to contribute to global wilderness conservation
Allan, James R., Kormos, Cyril, Jaeger, Tilman, Venter, Oscar, Bertzky, Bastian, Shi, Yichuan, Mackey, Brendan, van Merm, Remco, Osipova, Elena and Watson, James E.M. (2018). Gaps and opportunities for the World Heritage Convention to contribute to global wilderness conservation. Conservation Biology, 32 (1), 116-126. doi: 10.1111/cobi.12976
2018
Journal Article
The contribution of predators and scavengers to human well-being
O’Bryan, Christopher J., Braczkowski, Alexander R., Beyer, Hawthorne L., Carter, Neil H., Watson, James E. M. and McDonald-Madden, Eve (2018). The contribution of predators and scavengers to human well-being. Nature Ecology and Evolution, 2 (2), 229-236. doi: 10.1038/s41559-017-0421-2
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
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor James Watson is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Ecology and conservation of the Buff-breasted Button-quail (Turnix olivii)
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Martine Maron
-
Master Philosophy
Engaging elected representatives and constituencies for biodiversity conservation success
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
The Conservation Biogeography of the Red Goshawk
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Managing grazing in the grasslands of Queenslands Channel Country: a critical refuge for the Critically Endangered Plains Wanderer
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Autecology of an endangered Australian passerine: CarpentarianGrasswren (Amytornis dorotheae)
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Martine Maron
-
Master Philosophy
Engaging elected representatives and constituencies for biodiversity conservation success
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Classifying and understanding the effectiveness of ecological corridors and their role in wider landscape and seascape integrity
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Carissa Klein
-
Doctor Philosophy
Biogeography and conservation assessment of the endangered Northern Masked Owl
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Megafauna losses and predatory interactions in tropical forests
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Matthew Luskin
Completed supervision
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2024
Master Philosophy
Engaging elected representatives and constituencies for biodiversity conservation success
Principal Advisor
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
Ecology and conservation of the Buff-breasted Button-quail (Turnix olivii)
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Martine Maron
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Assessing the state and planning for the conservation of intact ecosystems
Principal Advisor
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Conservation Biogeography of the Night Parrot (Pezoporus occidentalis)
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Richard Fuller
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Improving Australia's response to the biodiversity crisis
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr April Reside
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Environmental implications of meeting future demand for sugarcane-based ethanol in Brazil.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Anthony Halog
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Improving Marine Conservation Planning in a Time of Global Change
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Hugh Possingham, Associate Professor Carissa Klein
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Wilderness Conservation in the Anthropocene
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Hugh Possingham
-
2018
Doctor Philosophy
Assessment and planning for emerging impacts of climate change on species
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Eve McDonald-Madden
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
Megafauna losses and predatory interactions in tropical forests
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Matthew Luskin
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Ecological restoration planning for effective conservation of terrestrial biodiversity
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Hugh Possingham
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Biodiversity Risks and Safeguards of Global Infrastructure Finance: The Case of China's Belt and Road Initiative
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Martine Maron
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Reducing fishing impacts on species of conservation concern at multiple scales
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Salit Kark, Associate Professor Carissa Klein
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Planning for Australian threatened species' recovery
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Hugh Possingham
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Assessing the effectiveness of planned adaptation in rural Pacific Island communities: case studies from Fiji and Kiribati
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Karen McNamara
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Impact mitigation in marine and coastal environments: policy challenges and shortfalls
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Martine Maron
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
The exposure and contribution of predators and scavengers to humans
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Matthew Holden, Professor Eve McDonald-Madden
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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
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Hugh Possingham, Associate Professor Laura Sonter, Professor Martine Maron
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Natural capital and distributive justice; a multidisciplinary, multi-scalar assessment
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Bradd Witt
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2018
Doctor Philosophy
The impact of urban growth and climate change on heat stress in a sub-tropical Australian city
Associate Advisor
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
Using fine and coarse conservation targets to maximize cost-effectiveness of road mitigation and protected areas
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Hugh Possingham
Media
Enquiries
Contact Professor James Watson directly for media enquiries about:
- biodiversity
- climate change
- extinction
- landclearing
- landuse planning
- logging
- saving species
- species loss
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