# Wilma J. Blaser Hart

**Source**: https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/27450
**Parent**: https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/1246

Dr

# Wilma J. Blaser Hart

Email:
:   [w.hart@uq.edu.au](mailto:w.hart@uq.edu.au)

Phone:
:   [+61 7 344 38930](tel:+61 7 344 38930)

## Positions

Postdoctoral Research Fellow
:   School of the Environment
:   Faculty of Science

## Overview

### Background

**How do we feed the world, adapt to and mitigate climate change, and conserve biodiversity?** My research addresses these critical questions by quantifying the trade-offs between agricultural production, climate change, and biodiversity in tropical agricultural landscapes. A key focus of my work is agroforestry—the strategic integration of trees into cultivated lands. While agroforests are not a one-size-fits-all solution, my research shows that agroforestry, when informed by a quantitative understanding of these trade-offs, can improve biodiversity and climate outcomes without compromising agricultural productivity.

Through fieldwork and conservation planning, and in collaboration with my wonderful colleagues at the [Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science (CBCS)](https://cbcs.centre.uq.edu.au/), I aim to understand how agricultural landscapes can be optimized across large geographic areas, to best meet conflicting goals and improve biodiversity outcomes. The goal of this work is to improve sustainability outcomes across West Africa, where tropical forests have been rapidly converted in order to produce 60% of the world’s cocoa.

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### Availability

Dr Wilma J. Blaser Hart is:
:   Available for supervision

### Fields of research

[Agricultural, Veterinary and Food Sciences](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/search?research-field=4767)
[Agroforestry](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/search?research-field=6802)
[Biological Sciences](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/search?research-field=4771)
[Climate change impacts and adaptation](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/search?research-field=4838)
[Ecology](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/search?research-field=4872)
[Environmental Sciences](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/search?research-field=4773)
[Forestry sciences](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/search?research-field=4800)

### Qualifications

- Bachelor of Environmental Science, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology ETH Zürich
- Masters (Coursework), Swiss Federal Institute of Technology ETH Zürich
- Doctor of Philosophy of Science (Advanced), Swiss Federal Institute of Technology ETH Zürich

### Research interests

- #### Agroforestry

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- #### Cocoa

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## Works

[Search Professor Wilma J. Blaser Hart’s works on UQ eSpace](http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/list/author_id/6981450)

[All
(52)](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts-publication/27450/all)
[Journal Article
(26)](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts-publication/27450/4748)
[Other Outputs
(26)](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts-publication/27450/4749)

Featured

2025

Journal Article

##### The unrealized potential of agroforestry for an emissions-intensive agricultural commodity

Becker, Alexander, Wegner, Jan D., Dawoe, Evans, Schindler, Konrad, Thompson, William J., Bunn, Christian, Garrett, Rachael D., Castro-Llanos, Fabio, Hart, Simon P. and Blaser-Hart, Wilma J. (2025). The unrealized potential of agroforestry for an emissions-intensive agricultural commodity. Nature Sustainability, 8 (9), 994-1003. doi: 10.1038/s41893-025-01608-7

[The unrealized potential of agroforestry for an emissions-intensive agricultural commodity](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:4e4d309)

Featured

2023

Journal Article

##### Cocoa plantations are associated with deforestation in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana

Kalischek, Nikolai, Lang, Nico, Renier, Cécile, Daudt, Rodrigo Caye, Addoah, Thomas, Thompson, William, Blaser-Hart, Wilma J., Garrett, Rachael, Schindler, Konrad and Wegner, Jan D. (2023). Cocoa plantations are associated with deforestation in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana. Nature Food, 4 (5), 384-393. doi: 10.1038/s43016-023-00751-8

[Cocoa plantations are associated with deforestation in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:4b22e64)

Featured

2018

Journal Article

##### Climate-smart sustainable agriculture in low-to-intermediate shade agroforests

Blaser, W. J., Oppong, J., Hart, S. P., Landolt, J., Yeboah, E. and Six, J. (2018). Climate-smart sustainable agriculture in low-to-intermediate shade agroforests. Nature Sustainability, 1 (5), 234-239. doi: 10.1038/s41893-018-0062-8

[Climate-smart sustainable agriculture in low-to-intermediate shade agroforests](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:339b2b5)

2025

Journal Article

##### Existing Sustainability Interventions are Insufficient to Scale Up Cocoa Agroforestry in West Africa

Kouakou, Keessy Maria‐Prisca, Lyons‐White, Joss, Thompson, William J., Addoah, Thomas, Cammelli, Federico, Blaser‐Hart, Wilma J., Maguire‐Rajpaul, Victoria, Dawoe, Evans and Garrett, Rachael D. (2025). Existing Sustainability Interventions are Insufficient to Scale Up Cocoa Agroforestry in West Africa. Sustainable Development sd.70266. doi: 10.1002/sd.70266

[Existing Sustainability Interventions are Insufficient to Scale Up Cocoa Agroforestry in West Africa](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:ec45ecf)

2025

Journal Article

##### Ecosystem changes caused by hydrological change are associated with population decline in a formerly-common grazing herbivore

Blaser-Hart, W. J., Shanungu, G. K., Edwards, P. J., Harms, J., Hart, S. P. H., Ellenbroek, G. A., van Gils, H. A. M. J., Simukonda, C. and Olde Venterink, H. (2025). Ecosystem changes caused by hydrological change are associated with population decline in a formerly-common grazing herbivore. Ecosystems, 28 (1) 14, 1. doi: 10.1007/s10021-024-00951-8

[Ecosystem changes caused by hydrological change are associated with population decline in a formerly-common grazing herbivore](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:671a3f7)

2025

Other Outputs

##### The unrealised potential of agroforestry (Raw drone images GHA 2022 High Shade Part B)

Hart, Wilma J. Blaser and Hart, Simon (2025). The unrealised potential of agroforestry (Raw drone images GHA 2022 High Shade Part B). The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/6199f9b

[The unrealised potential of agroforestry (Raw drone images GHA 2022 High Shade Part B)](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:6199f9b)

2025

Other Outputs

##### The unrealised potential of agroforestry (Raw drone images & polygons CIV Aboisso)

Hart, Wilma J. Blaser and Hart, Simon (2025). The unrealised potential of agroforestry (Raw drone images & polygons CIV Aboisso). The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/b46b1ff

[The unrealised potential of agroforestry (Raw drone images & polygons CIV Aboisso)](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:b46b1ff)

2025

Other Outputs

##### The unrealised potential of agroforestry (Maps of agro-climatic zones)

Hart, Wilma J. Blaser and Hart, Simon (2025). The unrealised potential of agroforestry (Maps of agro-climatic zones). The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/844d738

[The unrealised potential of agroforestry (Maps of agro-climatic zones)](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:844d738)

2025

Other Outputs

##### The unrealised potential of agroforestry (Raw drone images GHA 2022 Part E)

Hart, Wilma J. Blaser and Hart, Simon (2025). The unrealised potential of agroforestry (Raw drone images GHA 2022 Part E). The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/2418854

[The unrealised potential of agroforestry (Raw drone images GHA 2022 Part E)](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:2418854)

2025

Other Outputs

##### The unrealised potential of agroforestry (Raw drone images GHA 2022 Part B)

Hart, Wilma J. Blaser and Hart, Simon (2025). The unrealised potential of agroforestry (Raw drone images GHA 2022 Part B). The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/760cdba

[The unrealised potential of agroforestry (Raw drone images GHA 2022 Part B)](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:760cdba)

2025

Other Outputs

##### The unrealised potential of agroforestry (Raw drone images GHA 2022 Part F)

Hart, Wilma J. Blaser and Hart, Simon (2025). The unrealised potential of agroforestry (Raw drone images GHA 2022 Part F). The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/c61a4b2

[The unrealised potential of agroforestry (Raw drone images GHA 2022 Part F)](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:c61a4b2)

2025

Other Outputs

##### The unrealised potential of agroforestry (Raw drone images GHA 2021 Part C)

Hart, Wilma J. Blaser and Hart, Simon (2025). The unrealised potential of agroforestry (Raw drone images GHA 2021 Part C). The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/3f196df

[The unrealised potential of agroforestry (Raw drone images GHA 2021 Part C)](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:3f196df)

2025

Other Outputs

##### The unrealised potential of agroforestry (Processed maps GHA 2022 all exports)

Hart, Wilma J. Blaser and Hart, Simon (2025). The unrealised potential of agroforestry (Processed maps GHA 2022 all exports). The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/a2ecf22

[The unrealised potential of agroforestry (Processed maps GHA 2022 all exports)](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:a2ecf22)

2025

Other Outputs

##### The unrealised potential of agroforestry (Raw drone images GHA 2021 Part B)

Hart, Wilma J. Blaser and Hart, Simon (2025). The unrealised potential of agroforestry (Raw drone images GHA 2021 Part B). The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/ed7edcd

[The unrealised potential of agroforestry (Raw drone images GHA 2021 Part B)](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:ed7edcd)

2025

Other Outputs

##### The unrealised potential of agroforestry (Processed maps GHA 2021 all exports)

Hart, Wilma J. Blaser and Hart, Simon (2025). The unrealised potential of agroforestry (Processed maps GHA 2021 all exports). The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/09565b6

[The unrealised potential of agroforestry (Processed maps GHA 2021 all exports)](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:09565b6)

2025

Other Outputs

##### The unrealised potential of agroforestry (Raw drone images GHA 2021 Part A)

Hart, Wilma J. Blaser and Hart, Simon (2025). The unrealised potential of agroforestry (Raw drone images GHA 2021 Part A). The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/633959b

[The unrealised potential of agroforestry (Raw drone images GHA 2021 Part A)](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:633959b)

2025

Other Outputs

##### The unrealised potential of agroforestry (Raw drone images GHA 2022 High Shade Part A)

Hart, Wilma J. Blaser and Hart, Simon (2025). The unrealised potential of agroforestry (Raw drone images GHA 2022 High Shade Part A). The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/b984bf4

[The unrealised potential of agroforestry (Raw drone images GHA 2022 High Shade Part A)](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:b984bf4)

2025

Other Outputs

##### The unrealised potential of agroforestry (climate mitigation potential analysis)

Hart, Wilma J. Blaser and Hart, Simon (2025). The unrealised potential of agroforestry (climate mitigation potential analysis). The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/dda018c

[The unrealised potential of agroforestry (climate mitigation potential analysis)](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:dda018c)

2025

Other Outputs

##### The unrealised potential of agroforestry (Raw drone images GHA 2021 Part D)

Hart, Wilma J. Blaser and Hart, Simon (2025). The unrealised potential of agroforestry (Raw drone images GHA 2021 Part D). The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/2f89edd

[The unrealised potential of agroforestry (Raw drone images GHA 2021 Part D)](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:2f89edd)

2025

Other Outputs

##### The unrealised potential of agroforestry (Raw drone images GHA 2022 Part D)

Hart, Wilma J. Blaser and Hart, Simon (2025). The unrealised potential of agroforestry (Raw drone images GHA 2022 Part D). The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/8e8eaa1

[The unrealised potential of agroforestry (Raw drone images GHA 2022 Part D)](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:8e8eaa1)

## Funding

### Current funding

- 2024 - 2027

  Improving biodiversity outcomes in West African cocoa

  Lindt Cocoa Foundation

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/65466)

### Past funding

- 2021 - 2023

  Dr Wilma Hart - Maternity Funding

  Advance Queensland Women's Research Assistance Program

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/49765)
- 2021 - 2024

  Sustainable sourcing policies for biodiversity protection, climate mitigation, and improved livelihoods in the cocoa sector (BiodivERsA grant administered by ETH Zurich)

  ETH Zurich

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/53748)
- 2021 - 2023

  Spatially explicit recommendations for optimal levels of shade-tree cover for sustainable cocoa production

  European Cocoa Association AISBL

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/48931)
- 2020 - 2024

  Methods and a tool for remotely estimating shade-tree cover & carbon stocks, and for developing spatially explicit recommendations for cocoa agroforests

  ETH Zurich

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/43526)

## Supervision

### Availability

Dr Wilma J. Blaser Hart 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

  ##### Socio-ecological drivers of natural forest regeneration in cocoa-growing landscapes.

  Associate Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Dr John Dwyer](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/1246), [Professor Richard Fuller](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/1992), [Dr Simon Hart](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/25887)
- Doctor Philosophy

  ##### Improving biodiversity outcomes in West African cocoa

  Associate Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Professor Richard Fuller](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/1992), [Associate Professor Matthew Luskin](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/26286), [Dr Simon Hart](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/25887)

## Media

### Enquiries

For media enquiries about Dr Wilma J. Blaser Hart's areas of expertise, story ideas and help finding experts, contact our Media team:

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

## External profiles

- [ORCID](https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9880-1735)
- [Google Scholar](https://scholar.google.com.au/citations?user=QO11Vk0AAAAJ)

## Personal links

- [Our Group's Website](https://www.hartlab-ecology.com/)
- [Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science](https://cbcs.centre.uq.edu.au/)

## Social media

- [Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/in/wilmahart/)

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