Metadata
Title
Laura Sonter
Category
general
UUID
1926be4297e5433ea0cbf6490f5f48c9
Source URL
https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/18170
Parent URL
https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/920
Crawl Time
2026-03-11T07:46:37+00:00
Rendered Raw Markdown 
# Laura Sonter

**Source**: https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/18170
**Parent**: https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/920

Associate Professor

# Laura Sonter

Email:
:   [l.sonter@uq.edu.au](mailto:l.sonter@uq.edu.au)

## Positions

Affiliate of Global Centre for Mineral Security
:   Global Centre for Mineral Security
:   Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology

Affiliate of Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining
:   Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining
:   Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology

Affiliate of Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science
:   Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science
:   Faculty of Science

Adjunct Associate Professor
:   School of the Environment
:   Faculty of Science

## Overview

### Background

Reconciling biodiversity conservation with development pressures is one of the world’s greatest sustainability challenges. This is particularly true given the myriad ways that human wellbeing directly depends on well-functioning ecosystems. My research seeks to understand where, when and how to manage and conserve landscapes, so as to beneift both nature and people. I use land use change models, coupled with remote sensing and GIS datasets, to predict how future development projects (e.g. mines, hydropower dams, transportation infrastructure) will impact biodiversity and ecosystem services. This information allows us to compare the costs and benefits of alternative management interventions and, ultimately, provides the knowledge needed to make more informed decisions. My research benefits from collaborating across disciplines (ecology, economics, engineering) and working alongside government and non-government organizations. I am currently conducting projects in Australia, Brazil and the USA.

Read more
Read less

### Availability

Associate Professor Laura Sonter is:
:   Available for supervision
:   Media expert

### Fields of research

[Conservation and biodiversity](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/search?research-field=6644)
[Environment policy](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/search?research-field=5912)
[Environmental Sciences](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/search?research-field=4773)
[Environmental management](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/search?research-field=6789)
[Human Society](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/search?research-field=4755)
[Policy and administration](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/search?research-field=4832)

### Qualifications

- Bachelor (Honours), The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
- Postgraduate Diploma in Mineral Resources, The University of Queensland

## Works

[Search Professor Laura Sonter’s works on UQ eSpace](http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/list/author_id/75582)

[All
(79)](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts-publication/18170/all)
[Journal Article
(71)](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts-publication/18170/4748)
[Other Outputs
(4)](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts-publication/18170/4749)
[Conference Publication
(3)](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts-publication/18170/4751)
[Book Chapter
(1)](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts-publication/18170/4752)

Featured

2020

Journal Article

##### Renewable energy production will exacerbate mining threats to biodiversity

Sonter, Laura J., Dade, Marie C., Watson, James E. M. and Valenta, Rick K. (2020). Renewable energy production will exacerbate mining threats to biodiversity. Nature Communications, 11 (1) 4174, 4174. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-17928-5

[Renewable energy production will exacerbate mining threats to biodiversity](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:e79b759)

Featured

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

[Local conditions and policy design determine whether ecological compensation can achieve no net loss goals](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:cc5336c)

Featured

2018

Journal Article

##### Mining and biodiversity: key issues and research needs in conservation science

Sonter, Laura J., Ali, Saleem H. and Watson, James E. M. (2018). Mining and biodiversity: key issues and research needs in conservation science. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 285 (1892) 20181926, 20181926. doi: 10.1098/rspb.2018.1926

[Mining and biodiversity: key issues and research needs in conservation science](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:dd13e51)

Featured

2015

Journal Article

##### Carbon emissions due to deforestation for the production of charcoal used in Brazil's steel industry

Sonter, Laura J., Barrett, Damian J., Moran, Chris J. and Soares-Filho, Britaldo S. (2015). Carbon emissions due to deforestation for the production of charcoal used in Brazil's steel industry. Nature Climate Change, 5 (4), 359-363. doi: 10.1038/nclimate2515

[Carbon emissions due to deforestation for the production of charcoal used in Brazil's steel industry](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:355828)

Featured

2014

Journal Article

##### Offsetting the impacts of mining to achieve no net loss of native vegetation

Sonter, L. J., Barrett, D. J. and Soares-Filho, B. S. (2014). Offsetting the impacts of mining to achieve no net loss of native vegetation. Conservation Biology, 28 (4), 1068-1076. doi: 10.1111/cobi.12260

[Offsetting the impacts of mining to achieve no net loss of native vegetation](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:327818)

Featured

2014

Journal Article

##### Global demand for steel drives extensive land-use change in Brazil's Iron Quadrangle

Sonter, Laura J., Barrett, Damian J., Soares-Filho, Britaldo S. and Moran, Chris J. (2014). Global demand for steel drives extensive land-use change in Brazil's Iron Quadrangle. Global Environmental Change, 26 (1), 63-72. doi: 10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2014.03.014

[Global demand for steel drives extensive land-use change in Brazil's Iron Quadrangle](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:329830)

2025

Journal Article

##### Mining, biodiversity and social conflict in the renewable energy transition

Aska, Bora, Sonter, Laura J., zu Ermgassen, Sophus O. S. E., Franks, Daniel M., Mingorria, Sara, Iniesta-Arandia, Irene, Lloyd, Thomas J. and Torres, Aurora (2025). Mining, biodiversity and social conflict in the renewable energy transition. Nature Reviews Biodiversity, 1 (9), 597-614. doi: 10.1038/s44358-025-00076-3

[Mining, biodiversity and social conflict in the renewable energy transition](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:fc14b32)

2025

Journal Article

##### Global land cover maps do not reveal mining pressures to biodiversity

Sonter, Laura J., Nursamsi, Ilyas, Bennun, Leon, Graham, Jamie, Maus, Victor, Rainey, Hugo, Starkey, Malcolm, Turner, Joseph A., Watson, James E. M. and Prescott, Graham W. (2025). Global land cover maps do not reveal mining pressures to biodiversity. Scientific Reports, 15 (1) 22421, 1-10. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-01959-3

[Global land cover maps do not reveal mining pressures to biodiversity](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:2782ae3)

2025

Journal Article

##### Metal mining is a global driver of environmental change

Giljum, Stefan, Maus, Victor, Sonter, Laura, Luckeneder, Sebastian, Werner, Tim, Lutter, Stephan, Gershenzon, Julia, Cole, Megan J., Siqueira-Gay, Juliana and Bebbington, Anthony (2025). Metal mining is a global driver of environmental change. Nature Reviews Earth and Environment, 6 (7), 441-455. doi: 10.1038/s43017-025-00683-w

[Metal mining is a global driver of environmental change](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:d2b9698)

2025

Journal Article

##### ESG mapping of the Australian mining sector – The state of play on mobilising spatial datasets for decision making

Lèbre, Eléonore, Czarnota, Karol, Walsh, Stuart D.C., Haynes, Marcus, Ufer, Natasha, Sonter, Laura J., Sreekar, Rachakonda, Bolz, Pascal, Bulovic, Nevenka, Côte, Claire, Kunz, Nadja C., Micklethwaite, Steven, Northey, Stephen A., Rochford, Louisa M., Schodde, Richard, Seligmann, Benjamin and Sturman, Kathryn (2025). ESG mapping of the Australian mining sector – The state of play on mobilising spatial datasets for decision making. Resources Policy, 105 105592, 1-13. doi: 10.1016/j.resourpol.2025.105592

[ESG mapping of the Australian mining sector – The state of play on mobilising spatial datasets for decision making](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:41c841f)

2025

Journal Article

##### Navigating uncertainty in life cycle assessment‐based approaches to biodiversity footprinting

Bromwich, Talitha, White, Thomas B., Bouchez, Alice, Hawkins, Isobel, zu Ermgassen, Sophus, Bull, Joseph, Bartlett, Harriet, Bennun, Leon, Biggs, Elizabeth, Booth, Hollie, Clark, Michael, El Geneidy, Sami, Prescott, Graham W., Sonter, Laura J., Starkey, Malcolm and Milner‐Gulland, E. J. (2025). Navigating uncertainty in life cycle assessment‐based approaches to biodiversity footprinting. Methods in Ecology and Evolution. doi: 10.1111/2041-210x.70001

[Navigating uncertainty in life cycle assessment‐based approaches to biodiversity footprinting](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:5908a8e)

2025

Journal Article

##### Biodiversity offsets, their effectiveness and their role in a nature positive future

Maron, Martine, von Hase, Amrei, Quétier, Fabien, Sonter, Laura J., Theis, Sebastian and zu Ermgassen, Sophus O. S. E. (2025). Biodiversity offsets, their effectiveness and their role in a nature positive future. Nature Reviews Biodiversity, 1 (3), 183-196. doi: 10.1038/s44358-025-00023-2

[Biodiversity offsets, their effectiveness and their role in a nature positive future](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:2ae91c0)

2025

Journal Article

##### Erratum: Publisher Correction: Biomass carbon emissions from nickel mining have significant implications for climate action (Nature communications (2025) 16 1 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-55703-y)

Mervine, Evelyn M., Valenta, Rick K., Paterson, James S., Mudd, Gavin M., Werner, Tim T., Nursamsi, Ilyas and Sonter, Laura J. (2025). Erratum: Publisher Correction: Biomass carbon emissions from nickel mining have significant implications for climate action (Nature communications (2025) 16 1 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-55703-y). Nature communications, 16 (1) 1151, 1151. doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-56465-x

[Erratum: Publisher Correction: Biomass carbon emissions from nickel mining have significant implications for climate action (Nature communications (2025) 16 1 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-55703-y)](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:1929601)

2025

Journal Article

##### Biomass carbon emissions from nickel mining have significant implications for climate action

Mervine, Evelyn M., Valenta, Rick K., Paterson, James S., Mudd, Gavin M., Werner, Tim T., Nursamsi, Ilyas and Sonter, Laura J. (2025). Biomass carbon emissions from nickel mining have significant implications for climate action. Nature Communications, 16 (1) 481, 1-10. doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-55703-y

[Biomass carbon emissions from nickel mining have significant implications for climate action](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:f31f1fd)

2024

Journal Article

##### Remote sensing of artisanal and small-scale mining: a review of scalable mapping approaches

Nursamsi, Ilyas, Phinn, Stuart R., Levin, Noam, Luskin, Matthew Scott and Sonter, Laura Jane (2024). Remote sensing of artisanal and small-scale mining: a review of scalable mapping approaches. Science of the Total Environment, 951 175761, 175761. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175761

[Remote sensing of artisanal and small-scale mining: a review of scalable mapping approaches](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:7cc1838)

2024

Journal Article

##### Feasibility of multi-spectral and radar data fusion for mapping Artisanal Small-Scale Mining: A case study from Indonesia

Nursamsi, Ilyas, Sonter, Laura Jane, Luskin, Matthew Scott and Phinn, Stuart (2024). Feasibility of multi-spectral and radar data fusion for mapping Artisanal Small-Scale Mining: A case study from Indonesia. International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation, 132 104015, 1-12. doi: 10.1016/j.jag.2024.104015

[Feasibility of multi-spectral and radar data fusion for mapping Artisanal Small-Scale Mining: A case study from Indonesia](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:acb0b69)

2024

Journal Article

##### Ensuring legitimate project-level claims about net biodiversity outcomes

Sonter, Laura J., Maron, Martine, Metaxas, Anna and Bull, Joseph W. (2024). Ensuring legitimate project-level claims about net biodiversity outcomes. Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 39 (7), 599-602. doi: 10.1016/j.tree.2024.05.004

[Ensuring legitimate project-level claims about net biodiversity outcomes](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:d15a748)

2024

Journal Article

##### Comparing environmental impacts of deep-seabed and land-based mining: A defensible framework

Metaxas, A., Anglin, C. D., Cross, A., Drazen, J., Haeckel, M., Mudd, G., Smith, C. R., Smith, S., Weaver, P. P.E., Sonter, L., Amon, D. J., Erskine, P. D., Levin, L. A., Lily, H., Maest, A. S., Mestre, N. C., Ramirez-Llodra, E., Sánchez, L. E., Sharma, R., Vanreusel, A., Wheston, S. and Tunnicliffe, V. (2024). Comparing environmental impacts of deep-seabed and land-based mining: A defensible framework. Global Change Biology, 30 (5) e17334, 1-14. doi: 10.1111/gcb.17334

[Comparing environmental impacts of deep-seabed and land-based mining: A defensible framework](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:b497be0)

2024

Journal Article

##### Threat of mining to African great apes

Junker, Jessica, Quoss, Luise, Valdez, Jose, Arandjelovic, Mimi, Barrie, Abdulai, Campbell, Geneviève, Heinicke, Stefanie, Humle, Tatyana, Kouakou, Célestin Y., Kühl, Hjalmar S., Ordaz-Németh, Isabel, Pereira, Henrique M., Rainer, Helga, Refisch, Johannes, Sonter, Laura and Sop, Tenekwetche (2024). Threat of mining to African great apes. Science Advances, 10 (14) eadl0335, eadl0335. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adl0335

[Threat of mining to African great apes](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:2b99c32)

2024

Journal Article

##### Conservation planning for retention, not just protection

Negret, Pablo Jose, Venegas, Ruben, Sonter, Laura J., Possingham, Hugh P. and Maron, Martine (2024). Conservation planning for retention, not just protection. Global Change Biology, 30 (3) e17211, e17211. doi: 10.1111/gcb.17211

[Conservation planning for retention, not just protection](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:24ff0fe)

## Funding

### Current funding

- 2023 - 2026

  Rehabilitation Options for Ponded Areas Due to Longwall Coal Mining

  Australian Coal Association Research Program

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/60229)

### Past funding

- 2023 - 2024

  Partnership with The Biodiversity Consultancy

  The Biodiversity Consultancy Ltd

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/60527)
- 2021 - 2024

  Nature futures: mapping pathways to prosperity for people and nature (ARC Discovery Project administered by the University of Melbourne)

  University of Melbourne

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/47354)
- 2019 - 2021

  Dr Laura Sonter - AQ WRAP

  Advance Queensland Women's Research Assistance Program

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/39055)
- 2019 - 2020

  Mining and biodiversity: quantifying threats and uncertainties to improve conservation outcomes

  UQ Early Career Researcher

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/37358)
- 2017 - 2021

  Offsetting impacts of development on biodiversity and ecosystem services

  ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/29801)

View all 5 past funded projects
View less

## Supervision

### Availability

Associate Professor Laura Sonter is:
:   Available for supervision

Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on [how to choose a supervisor](https://study.uq.edu.au/study-options/phd-mphil-professional-doctorate/how-to-choose-a-supervisor).

### Supervision history

#### Current supervision

- Doctor Philosophy

  ##### Towards a Holistic Understanding of Artisanal Small-Scale Mining Impacts on Wet-Tropical Forest: A Regional Analysis, Kalimantan, Indonesia

  Associate Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Associate Professor Matthew Luskin](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/26286), [Professor Stuart Phinn](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/56)
- Doctor Philosophy

  ##### Sourcing battery minerals - from the land or sea?

  Associate Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Dr Sreekar Rachakonda](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/42228), [Professor Eve McDonald-Madden](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/1623)
- Doctor Philosophy

  ##### Managing Ecosystem Services in a Highly Connected World

  Associate Advisor
- Doctor Philosophy

  ##### Impacts of mining for renewable energy transition on biodiversity

  Associate Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Professor Daniel Franks](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/612)

#### Completed supervision

- 2022

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [Understanding and Managing Ecosystem Services in Mining Environments using Indigenous Perspectives](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:6cc0a7c)

  Principal Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Professor Peter Erskine](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/707)
- 2025

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [Mining, Biodiversity, and Area-Based Conservation: Risks and Opportunities](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:451ad6f)

  Associate Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Professor Richard Fuller](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/1992)
- 2021

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [Managing ecosystem services for multiple beneficiaries](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:b222c11)

  Associate Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Professor Hugh Possingham](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/920)
- 2020

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [Development, armed conflict and conservation: improving the effectiveness of conservation decisions in conflict hotspots using Colombia as a case study](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:4cfbe2d)

  Associate Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Professor Hugh Possingham](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/920), [Professor James Watson](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/5735), [Professor Martine Maron](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/2024)

## Media

### Enquiries

Contact Associate Professor Laura Sonter directly for media enquiries about:

- biodiversity impacts of mining
- biodiversity offsets
- conservation policy
- deforestation
- ecosystem services

#### Need help?

For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team:

[communications@uq.edu.au](mailto:communications@uq.edu.au)

## External profiles

- [ORCID](https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6590-3986)
- [ResearcherID](https://www.webofscience.com/wos/author/record/I-6756-2013)
- [Scopus](https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=50162528300)
- [Google Scholar](https://scholar.google.com.au/citations?user=bXDsEtcAAAAJ)

## Personal links

- [Personal website](http://www.laurasonter.com)
- [Google scholar](https://scholar.google.com.au/citations?user=bXDsEtcAAAAJ&hl=en)
- [Research gate](https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Laura_Sonter)

## Social media

- [X](https://twitter.com/LauraSonter)

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