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
2010
Journal Article
Ecological restoration: principles, values, and structure of an emerging profession
Watson, James, E. M. (2010). Ecological restoration: principles, values, and structure of an emerging profession. Pacific Conservation Biology, 16 (3), 208-208. doi: 10.1071/PC100208
2010
Journal Article
Mapping terrestrial anthropogenic degradation on the inhabited islands of the Galapagos Archipelago
Watson, James, Trueman, Mandy, Tufet, Marta, Henderson, Scott and Atkinson, Rachel (2010). Mapping terrestrial anthropogenic degradation on the inhabited islands of the Galapagos Archipelago. Oryx, 44 (1), 79-82. doi: 10.1017/S0030605309990226
2010
Journal Article
Complexity, Resilience, and Conservation
Watson, J. E. M. (2010). Complexity, Resilience, and Conservation. Conservation Biology, 24 (4), 1166-1167. doi: 10.1111/j.1523-1739.2010.01546.x
2009
Journal Article
Ecological processes: a key element in strategies for nature conservation
Bennett, Andrew F., Haslem, Angie, Cheal, David C., Clarke, Michael F., Jones, Roger N., Koehn, John D., Lake, P. Sam, Lumsden, Linda F., Lunt, Ian D., Mackey, Brendan G., MacNally, Ralph, Menkhorst, Peter W., New, Tim R., Newell, Graeme R., O'Hara, Tim, Quinn, Gerry P., Radford, James Q., Robinson, Doug, Watson, James E. M. and Yen, Alan L. (2009). Ecological processes: a key element in strategies for nature conservation. Ecological Management and Restoration, 10 (3), 192-199. doi: 10.1111/j.1442-8903.2009.00489.x
2009
Journal Article
Wilderness and future conservation priorities in Australia
Watson, James E. M., Fuller, Richard A., Watson, Alexander W. T., Mackey, Brendan G., Wilson, Kerrie A., Grantham, Hedley S., Turner, Matthew, Klein, Carissa J., Carwardine, Josie, Joseph, Liana N. and Possingham, Hugh P. (2009). Wilderness and future conservation priorities in Australia. Diversity and Distributions, 15 (6), 1028-1036. doi: 10.1111/j.1472-4642.2009.00601.x
2009
Other Outputs
A rapid assessment of the impacts of the Montara field oil leak on birds, cetaceans and marine reptiles
Watson, James E.M., Joseph, Liana N. and Watson, Alexander W.T. (2009). A rapid assessment of the impacts of the Montara field oil leak on birds, cetaceans and marine reptiles. Brisbane, Australia: Spatial Ecology Laboratory, The University of Queensland.
2009
Journal Article
Of big pictures and cross scales
Watson, J.E.M. (2009). Of big pictures and cross scales. Decision Point (32), 11-11.
2009
Journal Article
Major policy issues in Oceania
Watson, J.E.M. (2009). Major policy issues in Oceania. Decision Point (32), 3-3.
2009
Journal Article
Major conservation policy issues for biodiversity in Oceania
Kingsford, R. T., Watson, J. E. M., Lundquist, C. J., Venter, O., Hughes, L., Johnston, E. L., Atherton, J., Gawel, M., Keith, D.A., Mackey, B.G., Morley, C., Possingham, H. P., Raynor, B., Recher, H. F. and Wilson, K. A. (2009). Major conservation policy issues for biodiversity in Oceania. Conservation Biology, 23 (4), 834-840. doi: 10.1111/j.1523-1739.2009.01287.x
2009
Journal Article
Using nestedness and species-accumulation analyses to strengthen a conservation plan for littoral forest birds in south-eastern Madagascar
Watson, James E. M., Watson, Alexander W. T., Fischer, Joern, Ingram, J. Carter and Whittaker, Robert J. (2009). Using nestedness and species-accumulation analyses to strengthen a conservation plan for littoral forest birds in south-eastern Madagascar. International Journal of Biodiversity and Conservation, 1, 67-80.
2009
Journal Article
Why the divide?
Watson, James (2009). Why the divide?. Decision Point (30), 11-12.
2009
Journal Article
The New South Wales Priorities Action Statement and opportunities for maximizing return on investment for conservation
Joseph, Liana N., Watson, James E. and Possingham, Hugh P. (2009). The New South Wales Priorities Action Statement and opportunities for maximizing return on investment for conservation. Ecological Management & Restoration, 10 (s1), s143-s144. doi: 10.1111/j.1442-8903.2009.00466.x
2009
Journal Article
Ecological restoration: principles, values, and structure of an emerging profession [Book Review]
Watson, James E. M. (2009). Ecological restoration: principles, values, and structure of an emerging profession [Book Review]. Pacific Conservation Biology, 15 (4), 277-277. doi: 10.1071/PC090277
2009
Journal Article
The importance of ecological processes for terrestrial biodiversity conservation in Tasmania
McQuillan, Peter B;, Watson, James E. M., Fitzgerald, Nick B;, Obendorf, David and Leaman, David (2009). The importance of ecological processes for terrestrial biodiversity conservation in Tasmania. Pacific Conservation Biology, 15 (3), 171-196. doi: 10.1071/PC090171
2009
Other Outputs
Achieving the Green Suriname vision. A report to Conservation International and the government of Suriname
Watson, J.E.M., Carwardine, J. and Joseph, L. (2009). Achieving the Green Suriname vision. A report to Conservation International and the government of Suriname. Lismore, NSW, Australia: Carbon Conservation.
2009
Other Outputs
Priorities for ecological restoration in the Western Woodlands Way
Fuller, Richard A., Drielsma, Michael J., Watson, James E.M., Taylor, Robert, Sushinsky, Jessica, Smith, Jill and Possingham, Hugh P. (2009). Priorities for ecological restoration in the Western Woodlands Way. Brisbane, Australia; Armidale, NSW, Australia: Spatial Ecology Laboratory, University of Queensland; GIS Research and Development Unit, New South Wales Department of Environment and Climate Change.
2009
Conference Publication
REDD and PINC: a new policy framework to fund tropical forests as global 'eco-utilities'
Trivedi, M. R., Mitchell, A. W., Mardas, N., Parker, C., Watson, J. E. and Nobre, A. D. (2009). REDD and PINC: a new policy framework to fund tropical forests as global 'eco-utilities'. Conference on Beyond Kyoto: Addressing the Challenges of Climate Change Science Meets Industry, Policy and Public, Aarhus, Denmark, 5-7 March 2009. Bristol, United Kingdom: Institute of Physics Publishing. doi: 10.1088/1755-1315/8/1/012005
2009
Journal Article
Developing a national framework for dingo trophic regulation research in Australia: Outcomes of a national workshop
Visser, Renee L., Watson, James E. M., Dickman, Chris R., Southgate, Rick, Jenkins, David and Johnson, Christopher N. (2009). Developing a national framework for dingo trophic regulation research in Australia: Outcomes of a national workshop. Ecological Management and Restoration, 10 (2), 168-170. doi: 10.1111/j.1442-8903.2009.00482.x
2009
Conference Publication
Away from conflict – a new paradigm for industry, regional communities, environmental organizations and traditional owners to look after the Great Western Woodlands, Western Australia
Watson, A. W. T., Judd, S. and Watson, J. E. M. (2009). Away from conflict – a new paradigm for industry, regional communities, environmental organizations and traditional owners to look after the Great Western Woodlands, Western Australia. Mine Closure 2009, Perth, WA, Australia, 9–11 September 2009. Nedlands, WA, Australia: Australian Centre for Geomechanics (ACG).
2009
Journal Article
A national framework for research on trophic regulation by the Dingo in Australia
Visser, Renee L., Watson, James E. M., Dickman, Chris R., Southgate, Rick, Jenkins, David and Johnson, Christopher N. (2009). A national framework for research on trophic regulation by the Dingo in Australia. Pacific Conservation Biology, 15 (3), 209-216. doi: 10.1071/PC090209
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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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
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
-
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
-
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
Wilderness Conservation in the Anthropocene
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Hugh Possingham
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
Improving Marine Conservation Planning in a Time of Global Change
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Hugh Possingham, Associate Professor Carissa Klein
-
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
-
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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