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
-
Conservation policy and practice
Works
Search Professor James Watson’s works on UQ eSpace
2020
Journal Article
Global correlates of range contractions and expansions in terrestrial mammals
Pacifici, Michela, Rondinini, Carlo, Rhodes, Jonathan R., Burbidge, Andrew A., Cristiano, Andrea, Watson, James E. M., Woinarski, John C. Z. and Di Marco, Moreno (2020). Global correlates of range contractions and expansions in terrestrial mammals. Nature Communications, 11 (1) 2840, 1-9. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-16684-w
2020
Journal Article
Extent and potential impact of hunting on migratory shorebirds in the Asia-Pacific
Gallo-Cajiao, Eduardo, Morrison, Tiffany H., Woodworth, Bradley K., Lees, Alexander C., Naves, Liliana C., Yong, Ding Li, Choi, Chi-Yeung, Mundkur, Taej, Bird, Jeremy, Jain, Anuj, Klokov, Konstantin, Syroechkovskiy, Evgeny, Chowdhury, Sayam U., Fu, Vivian Wing Kan, Watson, James E.M. and Fuller, Richard A. (2020). Extent and potential impact of hunting on migratory shorebirds in the Asia-Pacific. Biological Conservation, 246 108582, 108582. doi: 10.1016/j.biocon.2020.108582
2020
Other Outputs
Deforestation and bird habitat loss in Colombia
Negret, Pablo Jose, Maron, Martine, Fuller, Richard A., Possingham, Hugh P., Watson, James E.M. and Simmonds, Jeremy S. (2020). Deforestation and bird habitat loss in Colombia. doi: 10.1101/2020.05.30.125849
2020
Journal Article
Change in terrestrial human footprint drives continued loss of intact ecosystems
Williams, Brooke Anne, Venter, Oscar, Allan, James R., Atkinson, Scott C., Rehbein, Jose A., Ward, Michelle S., Di Marco, Moreno, Grantham, Hedley S., Ervin, Jamison, Goetz, Scott, Hansen, Andrew J., Jantz, Patrick, Pillay, Rajeev, Rodríguez-Buriticá, Susana, Supples, Christina, Virnig, Anne L. S. and Watson, James E. M. (2020). Change in terrestrial human footprint drives continued loss of intact ecosystems. SSRN Electronic Journal, 3 (3), 371-382. doi: 10.2139/ssrn.3600547
2020
Other Outputs
Change in terrestrial human footprint drives continued loss of intact ecosystems
Williams, Brooke A., Venter, Oscar, Allan, James R., Atkinson, Scott C., Rehbein, Jose A., Ward, Michelle S., Di Marco, Moreno, Grantham, Hedley S., Ervin, Jamison, Goetz, Scott, Hansen, Andrew J., Jantz, Patrick, Pillay, Rajeev, Rodríguez-Buriticá, Susana, Supples, Christina, Virnig, Anne L. S. and Watson, James E.M. (2020). Change in terrestrial human footprint drives continued loss of intact ecosystems. doi: 10.1101/2020.05.04.077818
2020
Journal Article
Recent Australian wildfires made worse by logging and associated forest management
Lindenmayer, David B., Kooyman, Robert M., Taylor, Chris, Ward, Michelle and Watson, James E. M. (2020). Recent Australian wildfires made worse by logging and associated forest management. Nature Ecology and Evolution, 4 (7), 898-900. doi: 10.1038/s41559-020-1195-5
2020
Journal Article
Renewed threats to Brazilian biodiversity from sugarcane
de Andrade Junior, Milton A. U., Maxwell, Sean L. and Watson, James E. M. (2020). Renewed threats to Brazilian biodiversity from sugarcane. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 18 (4), 178-179. doi: 10.1002/fee.2196
2020
Conference Publication
To achieve big wins for terrestrial conservation, prioritize protection of ecoregions closest to meeting targets
Chauvenet, Alienor L.M., Watson, James E.M., Adams, Vanessa M., Di Marco, Moreno, Venter, Oscar, Davis, Katrina J., Mappin, Bonnie, Klein, Carissa J., Kuempel, Caitlin D. and Possingham, Hugh P. (2020). To achieve big wins for terrestrial conservation, prioritize protection of ecoregions closest to meeting targets. Cambridge, MA, United States: Cell Press. doi: 10.1016/j.oneear.2020.04.013
2020
Journal Article
Local conditions and policy design determine whether ecological compensation can achieve no net loss goals
Sonter, Laura J., Simmonds, Jeremy S., Watson, James E. M., Jones, Julia P. G., Kiesecker, Joseph M., Costa, Hugo M., Bennun, Leon, Edwards, Stephen, Grantham, Hedley S., Griffiths, Victoria F., Jones, Kendall, Sochi, Kei, Puydarrieux, Philippe, Quétier, Fabien, Rainer, Helga, Rainey, Hugo, Roe, Dilys, Satar, Musnanda, Soares-Filho, Britaldo S., Starkey, Malcolm, ten Kate, Kerry, Victurine, Ray, von Hase, Amrei, Wells, Jessie A. and Maron, Martine (2020). Local conditions and policy design determine whether ecological compensation can achieve no net loss goals. Nature Communications, 11 (1) 2072, 2072. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-15861-1
2020
Journal Article
Opportunities for big data in conservation and sustainability
Runting, Rebecca K., Phinn, Stuart, Xie, Zunyi, Venter, Oscar and Watson, James E. M. (2020). Opportunities for big data in conservation and sustainability. Nature Communications, 11 (1) 2003, 2003. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-15870-0
2020
Journal Article
Reconciling global priorities for conserving biodiversity habitat
Mokany, Karel, Ferrier, Simon, Harwood, Thomas D., Ware, Chris, Di Marco, Moreno, Grantham, Hedley S., Venter, Oscar, Hoskins, Andrew J. and Watson, James E. M. (2020). Reconciling global priorities for conserving biodiversity habitat. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 117 (18), 201918373-9911. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1918373117
2020
Journal Article
Native and exotic nest predators of Alwal (Golden-shouldered parrot Psephotellus chrysopterygius) on Olkola Country, Cape York Peninsula, Australia
Collingwood, Teghan D., Watson, James E. M., Kearney, Stephen, Brown, Allana, Ross, Ashaley, Kulka, Glen, Kulka, Hamish, Kulka, Karla, Royee, Francis, Ross, Brendan, Mahney, Terry, Huett, Katy and Kutt, Alex S. (2020). Native and exotic nest predators of Alwal (Golden-shouldered parrot Psephotellus chrysopterygius) on Olkola Country, Cape York Peninsula, Australia. Emu, 120 (2), 168-172. doi: 10.1080/01584197.2020.1750963
2020
Journal Article
Recognising the impact of sight record assessment on the scientific record and a species’ conservation status
Leseberg, Nicholas P., Murphy, Stephen A., Jackett, Nigel A., Webster, Patrick T. D., MacColl, Christopher, Stoetzel, Henry J. and Watson, James E. M. (2020). Recognising the impact of sight record assessment on the scientific record and a species’ conservation status. Emu - Austral Ornithology, 120 (2), 181-183. doi: 10.1080/01584197.2020.1774395
2020
Journal Article
Global opportunities and challenges for transboundary conservation
Mason, Natalie, Ward, Michelle, Watson, James E. M., Venter, Oscar and Runting, Rebecca K. (2020). Global opportunities and challenges for transboundary conservation. Nature Ecology and Evolution, 4 (5), 694-701. doi: 10.1038/s41559-020-1160-3
2020
Journal Article
Protect Australia's Gondwana Rainforests
Kooyman, Robert M., Watson, James and Wilf, Peter (2020). Protect Australia's Gondwana Rainforests. Science, 367 (6482), 1083-1083. doi: 10.1126/science.abb2046
2020
Other Outputs
Modification of forests by people means only 40% of remaining forests have high ecosystem integrity
Grantham, H.S., Duncan, A., Evans, T. D., Jones, K., Beyer, H., Schuster, R., Walston, J., Ray, J., Robinson, J., Callow, M., Clements, T., Costa, H.M., DeGemmis, A., Elsen, P.R., Ervin, J., Franco, P., Goldman, E., Goetz, S., Hansen, A., Hofsvang, E., Jantz, P., Jupiter, S., Kang, A., Langhammer, P., Laurance, W.F., Lieberman, S., Linkie, M., Malhi, Y., Maxwell, S. ... Watson, J.E.M. (2020). Modification of forests by people means only 40% of remaining forests have high ecosystem integrity. doi: 10.1101/2020.03.05.978858
2020
Journal Article
Renewable energy development threatens many globally important biodiversity areas
Rehbein, Jose A., Watson, James E. M., Lane, Joe L., Sonter, Laura J., Venter, Oscar, Atkinson, Scott C. and Allan, James R. (2020). Renewable energy development threatens many globally important biodiversity areas. Global Change Biology, 26 (5) gcb.15067, 3040-3051. doi: 10.1111/gcb.15067
2020
Journal Article
Intense human pressure is widespread across terrestrial vertebrate ranges
O'Bryan, Christopher J., Allan, James R., Holden, Matthew, Sanderson, Christopher, Venter, Oscar, Di Marco, Moreno, McDonald-Madden, Eve and Watson, James E.M. (2020). Intense human pressure is widespread across terrestrial vertebrate ranges. Global Ecology and Conservation, 21 e00882, e00882. doi: 10.1016/j.gecco.2019.e00882
2020
Journal Article
Research is not immune to climate change
Rickards, Lauren and Watson, James E. M. (2020). Research is not immune to climate change. Nature Climate Change, 10 (3), 180-183. doi: 10.1038/s41558-020-0715-2
2020
Journal Article
Area requirements to safeguard earth's marine species
Jones, Kendall R., Klein, Carissa J., Grantham, Hedley S., Possingham, Hugh P., Halpern, Benjamin S., Burgess, Neil D., Butchart, Stuart H.M., Robinson, John G., Kingston, Naomi, Bhola, Nina and Watson, James E.M. (2020). Area requirements to safeguard earth's marine species. One Earth, 2 (2), 188-196. doi: 10.1016/j.oneear.2020.01.010
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
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
-
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
-
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
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
-
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
Need help?
For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team: