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
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.
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.
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
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
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
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
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).
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.
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
2011
Other Outputs
A review of climate change adaptation initiatives within the Africa Biodiversity Collaborative Group members
Seimon, Anton, Watson, James, Dave, Radhika, Gray, Elizabeth and Oglethorpe, Judy (2011). A review of climate change adaptation initiatives within the Africa Biodiversity Collaborative Group members. Arlington, VA, United States: Africa Biodiversity Collaborative Group.
2011
Journal Article
Securing nonflagship species from extinction
Joseph, Liana N., Maloney, Richard F., Watson, James E. M. and Possingham, Hugh P. (2011). Securing nonflagship species from extinction. Conservation Letters, 4 (4), 324-325. doi: 10.1111/j.1755-263X.2011.00174.x
2011
Journal Article
Investing in threatened species conservation: Does corruption outweigh purchasing power?
Garnett, Stephen T., Joseph, Liana N., Watson, James E. M. and Zander, Kerstin K. (2011). Investing in threatened species conservation: Does corruption outweigh purchasing power?. PLoS One, 6 (7) e22749, 1-6. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0022749
2011
Journal Article
Does recovery planning improve the status of threatened species?
Bottrill, Madeleine C., Walsh, Jessica C., Watson, James E. M., Joseph, Liana N., Ortega-Argueta, Alejandro and Possingham, Hugh P. (2011). Does recovery planning improve the status of threatened species?. Biological Conservation, 144 (5), 1595-1601. doi: 10.1016/j.biocon.2011.02.008
2011
Conference Publication
The capacity of Australia's protected-area system to represent threatened species
Watson, James E. M., Evans, Megan C., Carwardine, Josie, Fuller, Richard A., Joseph, Liana N., Segan, Dan B., Taylor, Martin F. J., Fensham, R. J. and Possingham, Hugh P. (2011). The capacity of Australia's protected-area system to represent threatened species. Hoboken, NJ, United States: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing. doi: 10.1111/j.1523-1739.2010.01587.x
2011
Journal Article
The spatial distribution of threats to species in Australia
Evans, Megan C., Watson, James E. M., Fuller, Richard A., Venter, Oscar, Bennett, Simon C., Marsack, Peter R. and Possingham, Hugh P. (2011). The spatial distribution of threats to species in Australia. Bioscience, 61 (4), 281-289. doi: 10.1525/bio.2011.61.4.8
2011
Journal Article
What works for threatened species recovery? An empirical evaluation for Australia
Taylor, Martin F. J., Sattler, Paul S., Evans, Megan, Fuller, Richard A., Watson, James E. M. and Possingham, Hugh P. (2011). What works for threatened species recovery? An empirical evaluation for Australia. Biodiversity and Conservation, 20 (4), 767-777. doi: 10.1007/s10531-010-9977-8
2011
Journal Article
Response from Arlettaz and colleagues
Arlettaz, Raphaël, Braunisch, Veronika, Schaub, Michael and Watson, James E. M. (2011). Response from Arlettaz and colleagues. BioScience, 61 (2), 93-94. doi: 10.1525/bio.2011.61.2.20
2011
Journal Article
Ecosystem-based adaptation in marine ecosystems of tropical Oceania in response to climate change
Grantham, H. S., McLeod, E., Brooks, A., Jupiter, S. D., Hardcastle, J., Richardson, A. J., Poloczanska, E. S., Hills, T., Mieszkowska, N., Klein, C. J. and Watson, J. E. M. (2011). Ecosystem-based adaptation in marine ecosystems of tropical Oceania in response to climate change. Pacific Conservation Biology, 17 (3), 241-258. doi: 10.1071/PC110241
2011
Journal Article
Climate change in Oceania - A synthesis of biodiversity impacts and adaptations
Kingsford, Richard T. and Watson, James E. M. (2011). Climate change in Oceania - A synthesis of biodiversity impacts and adaptations. Pacific Conservation Biology, 17 (3), 270-284. doi: 10.1071/PC110270
2011
Other Outputs
Evaluating threatened species recovery planning in Australia
Watson, James.E. M., Bottrill, Madeleine C., Walsh, Jessica C., Joseph, Liana N. and Possingham, Hugh P. (2011). Evaluating threatened species recovery planning in Australia. Brisbane, Australia: Spatial Ecology Laboratory, The University of Queensland.
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor James Watson is:
- Available for supervision
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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
-
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
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
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
Improving Australia's response to the biodiversity crisis
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr April Reside
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Environmental implications of meeting future demand for sugarcane-based ethanol in Brazil.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Anthony Halog
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
Improving Marine Conservation Planning in a Time of Global Change
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Hugh Possingham, Associate Professor Carissa Klein
-
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
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Ecological restoration planning for effective conservation of terrestrial biodiversity
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Hugh Possingham
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Natural capital and distributive justice; a multidisciplinary, multi-scalar assessment
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Bradd Witt
-
2018
Doctor Philosophy
The impact of urban growth and climate change on heat stress in a sub-tropical Australian city
Associate Advisor
-
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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