Professor James Watson
Professor

James Watson

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 334 61645

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

Ecology Environmental Sciences

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, University of Oxford

Research interests

  • Conservation policy and practice

Search Professor James Watson’s works on UQ eSpace

471 works between 2001 and 2024
All (471) Journal Article (406) Book Chapter (19) Conference Publication (6) Book (2) Other Outputs (38)

381 - 400 of 471 works

2014

Book Chapter

Climate change

Dudley, Nigel and Watson, James (2014). Climate change. Applications of key biodiversity areas: end-user consultations. (pp. 92-95) edited by Nigel Dudley, Jessica L. Boucher, Annabelle Cuttelod, Thomas M. Brooks and Penny F. Langhammer. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN.

Climate change

2013

Journal Article

Being climate smart means looking forward and backward: cost-effective conservation in a time of climate change

Watson, James, Butt, Nathalie and Iwamura, Takuya (2013). Being climate smart means looking forward and backward: cost-effective conservation in a time of climate change. Decision Point (75), 7-7.

Being climate smart means looking forward and backward: cost-effective conservation in a time of climate change

2013

Journal Article

Biodiversity conservation in a changing climate: a review of threats and implications for conservation planning in Myanmar

Rao, Madhu, Htun, Saw, Platt, Steven G., Tizard, Robert, Poole, Colin, Myint, Than and Watson, James E. M. (2013). Biodiversity conservation in a changing climate: a review of threats and implications for conservation planning in Myanmar. Ambio, 42 (7), 789-804. doi: 10.1007/s13280-013-0423-5

Biodiversity conservation in a changing climate: a review of threats and implications for conservation planning in Myanmar

2013

Journal Article

Adapt or die: where in the world should we start on cost-effective conservation

Watson, James, Butt, Nathalie and Iwamura, Takuya (2013, 10 02). Adapt or die: where in the world should we start on cost-effective conservation

Adapt or die: where in the world should we start on cost-effective conservation

2013

Journal Article

Mapping vulnerability and conservation adaptation strategies under climate change

Watson, James E. M., Iwamura, Takuya and Butt, Nathalie (2013). Mapping vulnerability and conservation adaptation strategies under climate change. Nature Climate Change, Advance online publication (11), 1-6. doi: 10.1038/nclimate2007

Mapping vulnerability and conservation adaptation strategies under climate change

2013

Other Outputs

We’ve been asking the wrong questions about conservation

Watson, James (2013, 07 29). We’ve been asking the wrong questions about conservation The Guardian

We’ve been asking the wrong questions about conservation

2013

Journal Article

A framework for systematic conservation planning and management of Mediterranean landscapes

Levin, Noam, Watson, James E. M., Joseph, Liana N., Grantham, Hedley S., Hadar, Liat, Apel, Naomi, Perevolotsky, Avi, DeMalach, Niv, Possingham, Hugh P. and Kark, Salit (2013). A framework for systematic conservation planning and management of Mediterranean landscapes. Biological Conservation, 158, 371-383. doi: 10.1016/j.biocon.2012.08.032

A framework for systematic conservation planning and management of Mediterranean landscapes

2013

Other Outputs

A Systematic Approach to Incorporate the Human Response into Climate Change Conservation Planning

Segan, Daniel B., Watson, James E. M., Hole, David G., Donatti, Camila I., Zganjar, Chris, Martin, Shaun, Mutu, Kamweti and Bailey, Natalie (2013). A Systematic Approach to Incorporate the Human Response into Climate Change Conservation Planning. New York, NY, United States: Africa Biodiversity Collaborative Group.

A Systematic Approach to Incorporate the Human Response into Climate Change Conservation Planning

2013

Other Outputs

Identifying climate resilient corridors for conservation in the Albertine Rift

Ayebare, S., Ponce-Reyes, R., Segan, D. B., Watson, J. E. M., Possingham, H. P., Seimon, A. and Plumptre, A. J. (2013). Identifying climate resilient corridors for conservation in the Albertine Rift.

Identifying climate resilient corridors for conservation in the Albertine Rift

2013

Journal Article

Trends and biases in the listing and recovery planning for threatened species: an Australian case study

Walsh, Jessica C., Watson, James E. M., Bottrill, Madeleine C., Joseph, Liana N. and Possingham, Hugh P. (2013). Trends and biases in the listing and recovery planning for threatened species: an Australian case study. Oryx, 47 (1), 134-143. doi: 10.1017/S003060531100161X

Trends and biases in the listing and recovery planning for threatened species: an Australian case study

2013

Journal Article

Accommodating the human response for realistic adaptation planning: response to Gillson et al.

Watson, James E. M. and Segan, Daniel B. (2013). Accommodating the human response for realistic adaptation planning: response to Gillson et al.. Trends in Ecology and Evolution, 28 (10), 573-574. doi: 10.1016/j.tree.2013.06.006

Accommodating the human response for realistic adaptation planning: response to Gillson et al.

2013

Other Outputs

Pacific integrated island management: principles, case studies and lessons learned

Jupiter, Stacey, Jenkins, Aaron, Long, Warren Lee, Maxwell, Sean, Watson, James, Hodge, Kate, Govan, Hugh and Carruthers, Tim (2013). Pacific integrated island management: principles, case studies and lessons learned. Apia, Samoa; Nairobi, Kenya: Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP); United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

Pacific integrated island management: principles, case studies and lessons learned

2012

Other Outputs

Avoiding conflict and balancing trade-offs: biodiversity conservation in the context of competing land uses

Segan, D., Watson, J. E. M., Nangendo, G., Ayebare, S. and Plumptre, A. J. (2012). Avoiding conflict and balancing trade-offs: biodiversity conservation in the context of competing land uses. New York, United States: Wildlife Conservation Society.

Avoiding conflict and balancing trade-offs: biodiversity conservation in the context of competing land uses

2012

Journal Article

Priority actions for sustainable forest management in the International Year of Forests

Dellasala, Dominick A., Fitzgerald, John M., Jonsson, Bengt-Gunnar, McNeely, Jeffrey A., Dovie, Benjamin Delali, Dieterich, Martin, Majluf, Patricia, Nemtzov, Simon C., Nevin, OwenT., Parsons, E.Christien M. and Watson, James E. M . (2012). Priority actions for sustainable forest management in the International Year of Forests. Conservation Biology, 26 (3), 572-575. doi: 10.1111/j.1523-1739.2012.01849.x

Priority actions for sustainable forest management in the International Year of Forests

2012

Journal Article

Spurious thresholds in the relationship between species richness and vegetation cover

Maron, Martine, Bowen, Michiala, Fuller, Richard A., Smith, Geoffrey C., Eyre, Teresa J., Mathieson, Michael, Watson, James E. M. and McAlpine, Clive A. (2012). Spurious thresholds in the relationship between species richness and vegetation cover. Global Ecology and Biogeography, 21 (6), 682-692. doi: 10.1111/j.1466-8238.2011.00706.x

Spurious thresholds in the relationship between species richness and vegetation cover

2012

Journal Article

Vulnerability of cloud forest reserves in Mexico to climate change

Ponce-Reyes, Rocío, Reynoso-Rosales, Víctor-Hugo, Watson, James E. M., VanDerWal, Jeremy, Fuller, Richard A., Pressey, Robert L. and Possingham, Hugh P. (2012). Vulnerability of cloud forest reserves in Mexico to climate change. Nature Climate Change, 2 (6), 448-452. doi: 10.1038/NCLIMATE1453

Vulnerability of cloud forest reserves in Mexico to climate change

2012

Other Outputs

Climatology of the East African Great Lakes region and potential impacts of climate change on its biodiversity and ecosystem services

Seimon, Anton, Ingram, J. Carter and Watson, James E. M. (2012). Climatology of the East African Great Lakes region and potential impacts of climate change on its biodiversity and ecosystem services. Chicago, IL, United States: Macarthur Foundation.

Climatology of the East African Great Lakes region and potential impacts of climate change on its biodiversity and ecosystem services

2012

Journal Article

Climate change adaptation planning for biodiversity conservation: a review

Watson, James E. M., Rao, Madhu, Kang, Ai-Li and Yan, Xie (2012). Climate change adaptation planning for biodiversity conservation: a review. Advances in Climate Change Research, 3 (1), 1-11. doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1248.2012.00001

Climate change adaptation planning for biodiversity conservation: a review

2012

Journal Article

Exotic species richness and native species endemism increase the impact of exotic species on islands

Walsh, Jessica C., Venter, Oscar, Watson, James E.M., Fuller, Richard A., Blackburn, Tim M. and Possingham, Hugh P. (2012). Exotic species richness and native species endemism increase the impact of exotic species on islands. Global Ecology and Biogeography, 21 (8), 841-850. doi: 10.1111/j.1466-8238.2011.00724.x

Exotic species richness and native species endemism increase the impact of exotic species on islands

2012

Journal Article

Applying ecosystem services approaches for biodiversity conservation: Benefits and challenges

Ingram, Jane C., Redford, Kent H. and Watson, James E. M. (2012). Applying ecosystem services approaches for biodiversity conservation: Benefits and challenges. Sapiens, 5 (1).

Applying ecosystem services approaches for biodiversity conservation: Benefits and challenges

Current funding

  • 2023 - 2025
    Queensland regional planning assessments
    Queensland Conservation Council
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2025
    A critical pathway for Australia's Conservation Future (Ian Potter Foundation grant administered by the University of Melbourne)
    University of Melbourne
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2024
    Linking assessment of global goals for ecosystems and species by coupling WCS and CSIRO capabilities in landscape integrity mapping and biodiversity modelling
    Wildlife Conservation Society (USA)
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2024
    A conservation metric for business to measure biodiversity
    Wildlife Conservation Society (USA)
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2024
    Assessing the biotic response to intact forest metrics
    Wildlife Conservation Society (USA)
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2024
    Land clearing assessment on species
    Australian Conservation Foundation
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2023
    Wilderness Inventory Data Review
    Minister for Climate, Environment and Water (South Australia)
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2023
    Mapping threatened species recovery across Federal electorates
    World Wide Fund for Nature Australia
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2022
    Climate Change Adaptation Planning for Threatened Species: pilot project
    Australian Capital Territory - Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate - Conservation Research Branch
    Open grant
  • 2021
    Apply Key Biodiversity Criteria to Bush Heritage Priority Landscapes to determine intactness and land condition
    Bush Heritage Australia
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2023
    Vibrant Oceans: Applied Coral Reef Conservation
    Wildlife Conservation Society (USA)
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2021
    KBA mapping for Australia
    Birdlife Australia
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2020
    The ecology and conservation biogeography of the buff-breasted button-quail
    Birds Queensland
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2021
    ACF Key Biodiversity Areas Mapping Project
    Australian Conservation Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2023
    Ecosystem risk assessment (ARC Linkage Project administered by The University of New South Wales)
    University of New South Wales
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2021
    Global priorities for terrestrial biodiversity
    Wildlife Conservation Society (USA)
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2021
    Identifying Nature's Strongholds
    Wildlife Conservation Society (USA)
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2019
    Conservation Priority Setting
    Wildlife Conservation Society (USA)
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2019
    Africa Climate Change and Biodiversity - ABCG II
    Wildlife Conservation Society (USA)
    Open grant
  • 2018
    Identifying the most important terrestrial wilderness areas on the planet
    Wildlife Conservation Society (USA)
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2018
    Australia wide analysis for threatened species
    Australian Conservation Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2019
    Intact Forests - Framework Metric
    Wildlife Conservation Society (USA)
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2018
    SNAPP Compensatory Conservation Working Group
    The Nature Conservancy
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2021
    Macarthur Intact Forests
    Wildlife Conservation Society (USA)
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2018
    Rapid response to significant unanticipated threat - testing novel feral cat control strategies to support conservation of the endangered alwal/golden-shouldered parrot [...]
    Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage Protection
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2020
    Night Parrot Research, Pullen Pullen Reserve, Qld
    Bush Heritage Australia
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2019
    Africa Spatial Planning - ABCG II
    Wildlife Conservation Society (USA)
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2020
    Optimising community-based climate change adaptation in the Pacific Islands
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2021
    GIS support to WCS Indonesia Program's Sulawesi project
    Wildlife Conservation Society (USA)
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2019
    Intact forests values assessment
    Wildlife Conservation Society (USA)
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2017
    Provide MARXAN analysis of WCS Papua New Guinea program
    Wildlife Conservation Society (USA)
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2022
    The capacity of forests to protect regional climate under global warming
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2018
    Assessing biodiversity priorities and carbon values across the Great Eastern Ranges
    Australian Conservation Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2017
    Africa Biodiversity Consultative Group II
    Wildlife Conservation Society (USA)
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2021
    Support for Research Assistants
    Wildlife Conservation Society (USA)
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2018
    The Luc Hoffman Institute Fellow - Pathways for Drivers of Positive Change
    WWF International
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2019
    Planning for the impacts of land-uses on coral reef fisheries
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2017
    Analysis of the public protected area framework in NSW and future opportunities
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2020
    Assimilating development objectives in conservation planning
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2017
    ECO-SMarT
    Wildlife Conservation Society (USA)
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2017
    Integrating human response to climate change into conservation planning: developing an integrated decision framework
    Research Donation Generic
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2018
    MacArthur Foundation - Lower Mekong
    Wildlife Conservation Society (USA)
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2019
    `MacArthur Foundation - Portfolio Approach
    Wildlife Conservation Society (USA)
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2018
    MacArthur Foundation - Tanzania - Green Economies
    Wildlife Conservation Society (USA)
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2021
    NESP Threatened Species Recovery Hub
    National Environmental Science Program
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2015
    Africa Biodiversity Consultative Group
    Wildlife Conservation Society (USA)
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2015
    Conservation strategy fund - Uganda
    Wildlife Conservation Society (USA)
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2015
    MacArthur Foundation - Birdlife subgrant - Support WCS's East Africa climate assessment work for Rwanda and Tanzania
    Wildlife Conservation Society (USA)
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2018
    MacArthur Foundation - West Indian Ocean spatial planning assessment
    Wildlife Conservation Society (USA)
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2015
    U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Eastern DRC spatial planning
    Wildlife Conservation Society (USA)
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2016
    Climate adaptation on coral reefs
    Wildlife Conservation Society (USA)
    Open grant

Availability

Professor James Watson is:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Biogeography and conservation assessment of the endangered Northern Masked Owl

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Ecology and conservation of the Buff-breasted Button-quail (Turnix olivii)

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Martine Maron

  • 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

    Megafauna losses and predatory interactions in tropical forests

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Matthew Luskin

Completed supervision

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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