Hugh Possingham
Source: https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/920 Parent: https://about.uq.edu.au/strategy-values/sustainability/sustainable-development-goals/sdg-15-life-on-land
Professor
Hugh Possingham
Email: : h.possingham@uq.edu.au
Positions
Affiliate of Centre for Marine Science : Centre for Marine Science : Faculty of Science
Affiliate of Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science : Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science : Faculty of Science
V-C Senior Research Fellow : School of the Environment : Faculty of Science
Overview
Background
Hugh Possingham's research interests are in conservation research, operations research and ecology. More specifically his lab works on problems to secure the world's biological diversity: efficient nature reserve design, habitat reconstruction, optimal monitoring, optimal management of populations for conservation, cost-effective conservation actions for threatened species, pest control and population harvesting, survey methods for detecting bird decline, bird conservation ecology, environmental accounting and metapopulation dynamics. He has always been actively involved in conservation policy and advocacy - to learn how listen to "The 2023 Univ Canberra Krebs lecture on Science, Maths and Environmental Policy - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ix2_UamShUw"
Hugh is 40% UQ in the Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science to our website homepage (https://cbcs.centre.uq.edu.au/); 10% Accounting for Nature and 10% co-chair of the national Biodiversity Council. He sits on c30 other boards and committees pro bono.
His research projects are in the field of decision theory in conservation biology, including co-developing Marxan MaPP - Marxan (marxansolutions.org):
- Biodiversity offsetting
- Biodiversity markets
- Conservation policy at all levels of government
- Reserve design, biodiversity management and fire regime management
- Population viability analysis (PVA) - including the development of ALEX
- Pollination ecology
- Metapopulation dynamics
- Ecological economics
- Optimal monitoring and environmental accounts
- Stochastic modelling
- Biodiversity and climate change
- Population dynamics of marine organisms
- Marine reserve design
- Marine population dynamics
- Avian community ecology
- Edge effects and fragmentation
- Landscape ecology
- Behavioural and population ecology of parasitoids
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Availability
Professor Hugh Possingham is: : Available for supervision : Media expert
Fields of research
Ecology Environmental Sciences
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours) of Science (Advanced), University of Adelaide
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Oxford
- Australian Academy of Science, Australian Academy of Science
- Australian Mathematical Society, Australian Mathematical Society
Research impacts
Some of Hugh's research impact can be lsitened to here - "The 2023 Univ Canberra Krebs lecture on Science, Maths and Environmental Policy - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ix2_UamShUw". Some of the highlights are in his Wikipedia Page, so it muct be true :) :
"Possingham was the Queensland Chief Scientist from 2020 to 2022, where he provided high-level strategic science, research and innovation advice to the Queensland Government and acted as an ambassador for science in Queensland.[1][11]
Possingham is a member of the Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists, chaired the Australian Government's committees on Biodiversity Hotspots, and on Biological Diversity,[12] the Queensland Government's Smart State Council,[13] and the Wilderness Society's Wild Country Science Council.[14]
Possingham co-authored "The Brigalow Declaration"[15] with Dr Barry Traill, used by Queensland Premier Beattie to support an end to land-clearing in Queensland. Land clearance in Queensland was removing 500,000 hectares of native vegetation each year, and was responsible for 10% of Australia's greenhouse gas emissions; its cessation enabled Australia to meet its Kyoto Protocol target.[16] In 2009 he proposed devoting a proportionate fraction of gambling revenues to saving an endangered species, to be selected by a random drawing shown on television before the Melbourne Cup.[17]
From 2016 to 2020, Possingham was the Chief Scientist of The Nature Conservancy, a global conservation organisation with 400 scientists and 4000 staff, that has protected more than 40 million hectares of land and thousands of kilometres of rivers worldwide.[1]"
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Works
Search Professor Hugh Possingham’s works on UQ eSpace
All (890) Book (4) Journal Article (776) Other Outputs (18) Conference Publication (50) Book Chapter (42)
2026
Journal Article
Australia’s harmful fossil fuel approvals
Thomas, Hannah, Possingham, Hugh, Klein, Carissa, Watson, James E. M. and Ward, Michelle (2026). Australia’s harmful fossil fuel approvals. Science, 391 (6780), 32-32. doi: 10.1126/science.aed7274
Australia’s harmful fossil fuel approvals
2025
Book Chapter
REGULATORY COMPLIANCE AND THE ILLEGAL WILDLIFE TRADE: A case study on the factors affecting rhino horn prescription by traditional Chinese medicine practitioners in Guangdong province, China
Cheung, Hubert, Mazerolle, Lorraine, Possingham, Hugh P. and Biggs, Duan (2025). REGULATORY COMPLIANCE AND THE ILLEGAL WILDLIFE TRADE: A case study on the factors affecting rhino horn prescription by traditional Chinese medicine practitioners in Guangdong province, China. ROUTLEDGE HANDBOOK OF WILDLIFE CRIME. (pp. 196-212) Taylor and Francis. doi: 10.4324/9781003333906-19
2025
Journal Article
How monitoring matters for nature conservation: 15 reasons framed in a theory of change
Helmstedt, Kate J., Holden, Matthew H., Baker, Christopher M., Elliot-Kerr, Shona, Greiner, Ariel, Hudgins, Emma J., Shea, Katriona, Tulloch, Ayesha I. T., Young, Alys R., Zhang, Luping and Possingham, Hugh P. (2025). How monitoring matters for nature conservation: 15 reasons framed in a theory of change. Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, 292 (2061) 20252527. doi: 10.1098/rspb.2025.2527
How monitoring matters for nature conservation: 15 reasons framed in a theory of change
2025
Journal Article
Expand or better manage protected areas: A framework for minimizing extinction risk when threats are concentrated near edges
Dillon, Brendan G., Possingham, Hugh P. and Holden, Matthew H. (2025). Expand or better manage protected areas: A framework for minimizing extinction risk when threats are concentrated near edges. Biological Conservation, 311 111469, 111469-311. doi: 10.1016/j.biocon.2025.111469
2025
Journal Article
Soft Range Limits Shape Sensitivity to Forest Cover More Strongly Than Hard Range Limits
Granville, Natasha R., Pigot, Alex L., Howes, Benjamin, dos Anjos, Luiz, Arroyo-Rodriguez, Victor, Barbaro, Luc, Barlow, Jos, Betts, Matthew G., Cerezo, Alexis, Develey, Pedro F., Hatfield, Jack H., Jactel, Hervé, Karubian, Jordan, Kormann, Urs G., Lasky, Jesse R., Marsh, Charles J., Mestre, Luiz A. M., Morante-Filho, José Carlos, Olivier, Pieter, Pidgeon, Anna M., Possingham, Hugh, Proença, Vânia, Terraube, Julien, Uezu, Alexandre, Wood, Eric M. and Banks-Leite, Cristina (2025). Soft Range Limits Shape Sensitivity to Forest Cover More Strongly Than Hard Range Limits. Global Ecology and Biogeography, 34 (11) e70146. doi: 10.1111/geb.70146
Soft Range Limits Shape Sensitivity to Forest Cover More Strongly Than Hard Range Limits
2025
Journal Article
A balanced measure of conservation outcomes: tracking woody vegetation loss and protection in Queensland, Australia
Venegas-Li, Rubén, Sherriff, Christopher Ryan, Ward, Michelle, Morales-Barquero, Lucia, Possingham, Hugh P. and Watson, James E. M. (2025). A balanced measure of conservation outcomes: tracking woody vegetation loss and protection in Queensland, Australia. Environmental Research Letters, 20 (11) 114076, 114076. doi: 10.1088/1748-9326/ae1623
2025
Journal Article
Multiple-use spatial planning for sustainable development and conservation
Neubert, Sandra, McGowan, Jennifer, Metcalfe, Kristian, Hanson, Jeffrey O., Buenafe, Kristine Camille V., Dabalà, Alvise, Dunn, Daniel C., Everett, Jason D., Possingham, Hugh P., Stelzenmüller, Vanessa, Estep, Andy, Ervin, Jamison and Richardson, Anthony J. (2025). Multiple-use spatial planning for sustainable development and conservation. Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 40 (11), 1126-1142. doi: 10.1016/j.tree.2025.09.007
Multiple-use spatial planning for sustainable development and conservation
2025
Journal Article
A review of the application of coral reef condition indicators in conservation planning
Davey, Madeline, Klein, Carissa J, Roelfsema, Chris, Kuempel, Caitlin D and Possingham, Hugh (2025). A review of the application of coral reef condition indicators in conservation planning. Ecological Indicators, 179 114222, 114222. doi: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2025.114222
A review of the application of coral reef condition indicators in conservation planning
2025
Journal Article
Marine conservation leadership: does Australia walk the talk?
Klein, Carissa, Becker, Kate, Carrasco Rivera, David E., Davey, Madeline, Dominguez‐Martinez, Rosa Mar, Grantham, Hedley, Lucas, Benjamin, Possingham, Hugh, Roberson, Leslie, Wakwella, Ama, Wenger, Amelia and Watson, James E. M. (2025). Marine conservation leadership: does Australia walk the talk?. Conservation Letters, 18 (5) e13147, 1-10. doi: 10.1111/conl.13147
Marine conservation leadership: does Australia walk the talk?
2025
Journal Article
Have significant biodiversity values been protected from industrial logging across Australia?
Taylor, Chris, Ashman, Kita, Ward, Michelle, Possingham, Hugh and Lindenmayer, David B. (2025). Have significant biodiversity values been protected from industrial logging across Australia?. Conservation Science and Practice, 7 (8) e70089. doi: 10.1111/csp2.70089
Have significant biodiversity values been protected from industrial logging across Australia?
2025
Journal Article
Half of the habitat of Australia's highly imperilled narrow-range species is outside protected areas
Ward, Michelle, Maron, Martine, Simmonds, Jeremy S., Lintermans, Mark, Whiterod, Nick S., Chapple, David G., Possingham, Hugh P., Legge, Sarah M., Gallagher, Rachael V., Wintle, Brendan A., Vine, Samantha, Ashman, Kita, Hoskin, Conrad J., Garnett, Stephen T., Woinarski, John C.Z., Scheele, Ben C., Loane, Cerin, Fitzsimons, James A., Stewart, Romola R., Tulloch, Ayesha I.T., Hyman, Isabel T., Pearce, Kate, Burbidge, Allan H., Raadik, Tarmo A., Kuchling, Gerald, Georges, Arthur, West, Matthew, Adams, Vanessa M., Emery, J.P. and Watson, James E.M. (2025). Half of the habitat of Australia's highly imperilled narrow-range species is outside protected areas. Biological Conservation, 308 111195, 1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.biocon.2025.111195
Half of the habitat of Australia's highly imperilled narrow-range species is outside protected areas
2025
Journal Article
Advances in systematic conservation planning to meet global biodiversity goals
Giakoumi, Sylvaine, Richardson, Anthony J., Doxa, Aggeliki, Moro, Stefano, Andrello, Marco, Hanson, Jeffrey O., Hermoso, Virgilio, Mazor, Tessa, McGowan, Jennifer, Kujala, Heini, Law, Elizabeth, Álvarez-Romero, Jorge G., Magris, Rafael A., Gissi, Elena, Arafeh-Dalmau, Nur, Metaxas, Anna, Virtanen, Elina A., Ban, Natalie C., Runya, Robert M., Dunn, Daniel C., Fraschetti, Simonetta, Galparsoro, Ibon, Smith, Robert J., Bastardie, Francois, Stelzenmüller, Vanessa, Possingham, Hugh P. and Katsanevakis, Stelios (2025). Advances in systematic conservation planning to meet global biodiversity goals. Trends in Ecology and Evolution, 40 (4), 395-410. doi: 10.1016/j.tree.2024.12.002
Advances in systematic conservation planning to meet global biodiversity goals
2025
Journal Article
Prioritizing tidal marsh restoration in grazing lands
Araya-Lopez, Rocio, Possingham, Hugh P., Wartman, Melissa, Macreadie, Peter I. and Costa, Micheli Duarte de Paula (2025). Prioritizing tidal marsh restoration in grazing lands. Journal of Environmental Management, 380 124952, 1-13. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.124952
Prioritizing tidal marsh restoration in grazing lands
2025
Journal Article
Large‐scale and long‐term wildlife research and monitoring using camera traps: a continental synthesis
Bruce, Tom, Amir, Zachary, Allen, Benjamin L, Alting, Brendan F., Amos, Matt, Augusteyn, John, Ballard, Guy‐Anthony, Behrendorff, Linda M., Bell, Kristian, Bengsen, Andrew J., Bennett, Ami, Benshemesh, Joe S., Bentley, Joss, Blackmore, Caroline J., Boscarino‐Gaetano, Remo, Bourke, Lachlan A., Brewster, Rob, Brook, Barry W., Broughton, Colin, Buettel, Jessie C., Carter, Andrew, Chiu‐Werner, Antje, Claridge, Andrew W., Comer, Sarah, Comte, Sebastien, Connolly, Rod M., Cowan, Mitchell A., Cross, Sophie L., Cunningham, Calum X. ... Luskin, Matthew S. (2025). Large‐scale and long‐term wildlife research and monitoring using camera traps: a continental synthesis. Biological Reviews, 100 (2), 530-555. doi: 10.1111/brv.13152
2025
Journal Article
Protect the integrity of CITES: lessons from Japan's IWC withdrawal to keep polarization from tearing CITES apart
Cheung, Hubert, Challender, Daniel W. S., Anagnostou, Michelle, Braczkowski, Alexander R., Marco, Moreno Di, Hinsley, Amy, Kubo, Takahiro, Possingham, Hugh P., Song, Annie Young, Takashina, Nao, Wang, Yifu and Biggs, Duan (2025). Protect the integrity of CITES: lessons from Japan's IWC withdrawal to keep polarization from tearing CITES apart. Conservation Letters, 18 (2) e13099, 1-11. doi: 10.1111/conl.13099
2025
Journal Article
Why do (or don’t) people protect nature? insights from conservation practice and environmental psychology to respond to the biodiversity crisis
van Eeden, Lily M., Possingham, Hugh P., Milfont, Taciano L., Klebl, Christoph and Fielding, Kelly (2025). Why do (or don’t) people protect nature? insights from conservation practice and environmental psychology to respond to the biodiversity crisis. Global Environmental Psychology, 3, 1-24. doi: 10.5964/gep.10927
2025
Journal Article
The estimated cost of preventing extinction and progressing recovery for Australia’s priority threatened species
Ward, Michelle, Possingham, Hugh P., Wintle, Brendan A., Woinarski, John C. Z., Marsh, Jessica R., Chapple, David G., Lintermans, Mark, Scheele, Ben C., Whiterod, Nick S., Hoskin, Conrad J., Aska, Bora, Yong, Chuanji, Tulloch, Ayesha, Stewart, Romola and Watson, James E. M. (2025). The estimated cost of preventing extinction and progressing recovery for Australia’s priority threatened species. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 122 (6) e2414985122, 1-10. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2414985122
2025
Journal Article
Systematic conservation prioritization with the prioritizr R package
Hanson, Jeffrey O., Schuster, Richard, Strimas-Mackey, Matthew, Morrell, Nina, Edwards, Brandon P. M., Arcese, Peter, Bennett, Joseph R. and Possingham, Hugh P. (2025). Systematic conservation prioritization with the prioritizr R package. Conservation Biology, 39 (1) e14376, 1-10. doi: 10.1111/cobi.14376
Systematic conservation prioritization with the prioritizr R package
2024
Journal Article
Bird utilisation of vertical space in urban environments
Re, Annalise J., Rogers, Andrew M., Possingham, Hugh P. and Kark, Salit (2024). Bird utilisation of vertical space in urban environments. Diversity, 17 (1) 16, 16. doi: 10.3390/d17010016
Bird utilisation of vertical space in urban environments
2024
Journal Article
Reflections on the Global Biodiversity Framework: Achievements, gaps, and future priorities
Balmford, Andrew, Koh, Lian Pin, Tilman, David, Possingham, Hugh, Obura, David and Mcelwee, Pamela (2024). Reflections on the Global Biodiversity Framework: Achievements, gaps, and future priorities. One Earth, 7 (12), 2092-2094. doi: 10.1016/j.oneear.2024.11.006
Reflections on the Global Biodiversity Framework: Achievements, gaps, and future priorities
Funding
Current funding
- 2025 - 2029
Resolving the value of information paradox for ecological management
ARC Discovery Projects
Open grant - 2025 - 2029
Building integrity into the Nature Positive promise (Griffith University administered ARC Linkage project)
Griffith University
Open grant - 2024 - 2026
Understanding marine migratory connectivity for more sustainable oceans
ARC Discovery Projects
Open grant - 2024 - 2027
New metrics to track fauna community condition in Australia
ARC Linkage Projects
Open grant - 2022 - 2027
Kelp forest recovery after an extreme warming event in Baja California
Estate of Winifred V. Scott
View all 5 current funded projects View less
Past funding
- 2023 - 2024
Developing and reviewing standardised best practice for Threatened Species Recovery teams in Queensland: applying insights from social science and participatory approaches
Queensland Government Department of Environment and Science
Open grant - 2016 - 2018
Conserving Australia's Antarctic biodiversity in a changing climate
Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment
Open grant - 2016 - 2020
Recovering Australia's migratory shorebirds
ARC Linkage Projects
Open grant - 2016 - 2017
Hawkesbury Shelf Marine Bioregion Assessment, Spatial Planning - Marxan - OEH-14-2016
New South Wales Office of Environment and Heritage
Open grant - 2016 - 2018
The Luc Hoffman Institute Fellow - Pathways for Drivers of Positive Change
WWF International
Open grant - 2016 - 2020
Assimilating development objectives in conservation planning
ARC Discovery Projects
Open grant - 2015 - 2017
Spatial conservation planning in subtropical and temperate waters of New South Wales
New South Wales Department of Primary Industries
Open grant - 2015 - 2021
Post eradication ecosystem response on Macquarie Island
Australian Antarctic Division
Open grant - 2015 - 2016
3.12 Development of an offset financial contribution calculator for Reef Trust. NESP - Tropical Water Quality Hub (administered by Reef and Rainforest Research Centre Ltd)
Reef and Rainforest Research Centre Limited
Open grant - 2015 - 2017
Develop region-wide bioregionalisation for the project area of MACBIO for IUCN
International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources - Oceania
Open grant - 2015 - 2016
Threatened species conservation and co-benefits across Australia land tenures
CSIRO
Open grant - 2015
Biodiversity, Poverty and the Illegal Wildlife Trade
International Institute for Environment and Development
Open grant - 2015 - 2016
Mapping Ocean Wealth: Livelihoods, Economies and Integrated Management
The Nature Conservancy - Indo Pacific Region
Open grant - 2015 - 2016
Evaluating the collateral impacts of moving species in the face of climate change: a novel network theory approach
UWA-UQ Bilateral Research Collaboration Award
Open grant - 2014 - 2021
NESP Threatened Species Recovery Hub
National Environmental Science Program
Open grant - 2014 - 2018
Benchmarking reef health for spatial conservation in Borneo
Estate of Winifred V. Scott
Open grant - 2014 - 2017
Planning for the impacts of land-uses on coral reef fisheries and livelihoods under different climate scenarios
The Nature Conservancy
Open grant - 2014 - 2015
Prioritising transportation networks to benefit industry and the environment
UQ Collaboration and Industry Engagement Fund - Seed Research Grant
Open grant - 2013 - 2020
Restore or protect: could habitat restoration ever be a better investment than habitat protection for biodiversity and ecosystem service conservation?
ARC Australian Laureate Fellowships
Open grant - 2013 - 2015
Optimization for biodiversity, ecosystem services and production in agro-ecosystem
CSIRO Flagships Collaboration Fund
Open grant - 2013 - 2016
Climate adaptation on coral reefs
Wildlife Conservation Society (USA)
Open grant - 2013
Coastal marine gap analysis
Open grant - 2013 - 2018
Reconciling competing objectives for the design of marine reserve networks: biodiversity, food security, and local equity in benefits
ARC Linkage Projects
Open grant - 2013 - 2016
Climate Change Adaptation for Natural Resource Management in East Coast Australia
Commonwealth Department of Industry, Innovation, Climate change, Science, Research and Tertiary Education
Open grant - 2013
Great Barrier Reef resilience investment plan
World Wide Fund for Nature Australia
Open grant - 2012 - 2014
Ecosystem mapping project - Koalas
CSIRO
Open grant - 2012 - 2024
Decision science for nature conservation
Vice-Chancellor's Senior Research Fellowship
Open grant - 2012 - 2019
Prioritising Adaptation Actions for Managing Invasive Animals Under Climate Change (Invasive Animals CRC Project 1.L.11)
Invasive Animals CRC
Open grant - 2012 - 2014
Borneo Futures Project
People and Nature Consultancy International
Open grant - 2011 - 2013
Optimal habitat protection and restoration for climate adaptation
Climate Change Adaptation Research Grants Program
Open grant - 2011 - 2016
Postdoctoral fellowship in Terrestrial Ecology includes investigating Aliens in Antarctica - pathway analysis and novel ecosystems
Australian Antarctic Division
Open grant - 2011 - 2018
ARC Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions (CEED)
ARC Centres of Excellence
Open grant - 2011 - 2015
Defend or retreat? Adapting to the impacts of sea level rise as a result of rapid climate change
ARC Super Science Fellowships
Open grant - 2011 - 2014
Understanding and reversing the rapid declines in Australia's shorebirds
ARC Linkage Projects
Open grant - 2011 - 2015
NERP Environmental Decisions Hub
CDSEWPC - National Environmental Research Program
Open grant - 2010 - 2014
The role of learning in conservation management: developing adaptive approaches for the conservation of biodiversity in a changing climate
ARC Discovery Projects
Open grant - 2009 - 2013
Increasing the effectiveness of Australian threatened bird conservation (ARC Linkage grant administered by Charles Darwin University)
Charles Darwin University
Open grant - 2009 - 2010
Optimising Ecosystem Management Project
New Zealand Department of Conservation
Open grant - 2009 - 2010
Optimising Threatened Species Project
New Zealand Department of Conservation
Open grant - 2009 - 2012
Spatial prioritization in the context of climate change and unforeseen opportunities: maximizing conservation outcomes in Gondwana Link
ARC Linkage Projects
Open grant - 2009 - 2011
Resilience of Moreton Bay to climate change: Links between nutrient inputs and plankton dynamics
ARC Linkage Projects
Open grant - 2008 - 2009
Koala population viability and management in the Koala Coast, Queensland, Australia
Queensland Environmental Protection Agency
Open grant - 2008 - 2009
Strategies for managing invasive species in space: deciding whether to eradicate, contain or control
University of Melbourne
Open grant - 2008 - 2010
Marine conservation planning for persistent coral reef communities: Incorporating connectivity and resilience
ARC Linkage Projects
Open grant - 2008 - 2011
Advancing cost-effectiveness of conservation action plans: White-backed Woodpecker in Sweden as an example
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Open grant - 2008 - 2010
Coral reef connectivity: an empirical and theoretical synthesis
ARC Discovery Projects
Open grant - 2007 - 2010
e-Water Postdoctoral Fellowship
e-Water CRC
Open grant - 2007
Determining global and regional conservation priorities for biodiversity hotspots: mediterranean type ecosystems as a case study.
ARC Linkage International
Open grant - 2007 - 2010
UQ/CSIRO Research Fellowship in Marine Ecological Modelling
CSIRO
Open grant - 2006 - 2011
Applied Environmental Decision Analysis
Commonwealth Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
Open grant - 2006 - 2011
Theory for global biodiversity conservation
ARC Federation Fellowships
Open grant - 2006 - 2010
Applied Decision Analysis for Conservation Biology
Commonwealth Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
Open grant - 2006 - 2010
Optimal allocation of resources to emergency response actions for invasive species
University of Melbourne
Open grant - 2006 - 2008
Recasting an icon: towards a biosphere reserve for the D'Aguilar Range
South East Queensland Catchments Ltd.
Open grant - 2006
Allocation of fixed resources among biodiversity hotspots and high-biodiversity wilderness areas
Conservation International
Open grant - 2006
Natural Spaces natural heritage system development
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (Canada)
Open grant - 2006 - 2008
Integrating Multiple Conservation Values For Protection And Restoration Of Native Vegetation
ARC Discovery Projects
Open grant - 2005 - 2006
Evaluating Methods of Allocating Conservation Resources Between Biodiversity Hotspots: Mediterranean Ecoregions Case Study
The Nature Conservancy
Open grant - 2005 - 2008
Developing an integrated planning framework and decision support methods for biodiversity conservation and sustainable natural resource management across the marine terrestrial interface
Commonwealth Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
Open grant - 2005 - 2008
A Bayesian framework for metapopulation dynamics of species in endangered communities: Integrating demographic, environmental and genetic data
ARC Linkage Projects
Open grant - 2005
Systematic Conservation Planning Tools at SCB 2005 - Short Course
Conservation International
Open grant - 2005
Landscape scale monitoring and adaptive management of woodland birds in the Mt Lofty Ranges
Nature Foundation SA INC
Open grant - 2005
Integrating spatial and molecular ecology approaches to evaluate the natural regenerative ability of secondary rainforest to revegetate degraded tropical landscapes
University of Queensland Research Development Grants Scheme
Open grant - 2004 - 2005
Landscape-scale monitoring and adaptive management of woodland birds in the Mt Lofty Ranges
Conservation Council of South Australia Inc
Open grant - 2004 - 2007
A risk assessment of the effects of cyanide-bearing tailings solutions on wildlife
Aust. Centre for Mining Environmental Research
Open grant - 2004 - 2007
Conservation planning in a dynamic and uncertain world
ARC Linkage Projects
Open grant - 2004 - 2008
UQ/CSIRO - Ecological Modeller (Snr) Lecturer/ (Snr) Research Fellow Marine Ecological Modelling
Open grant - 2003
Identification and assessment of culturally significant human modified landscapes (HML's): Development in traditional lands of the Lockhart River DOGIT, Cape York
University of Queensland Research Development Grants Scheme
Open grant - 2003 - 2007
Optimal management of complex ecological systems
ARC Discovery Projects
Open grant - 2002 - 2005
Landscape-scale monitoring and adaptive management of woodland birds in the Mt Lofty Ranges
ARC Linkage Projects
Open grant - 2002 - 2005
Predicting metapopulation dynamics with multiple patch states
ARC Linkage Projects
Open grant - 2002 - 2003
A comparison of processes for assessing relative values for biodiversity significance
Queensland Environmental Protection Agency
Open grant - 2002
Quantification and integrated valuation of ecosystem services in rural landscapes
University of Queensland Research Development Grants Scheme
Open grant - 2001 - 2006
Development of decision support models for weed containment and eradication
Grains Research & Development Corporation
Open grant - 2001 - 2004
Modelling the spatial and temporal dynamics of kangaroo populations for sustainable rangeland management
ARC Collaborative Grant (SPIRT)
Open grant - 2001
Peer Review the Common Conservation Classification System
Queensland Environmental Protection Agency
Open grant - 2001 - 2002
Evaluating alternative management strategies for kangaroos in the Murray-Darling Basin
NSW Agriculture
Open grant - 2001 - 2003
Conserving and restoring koala populations in fragmented landscapes
ARC Collaborative Grant (SPIRT)
Open grant - 2001
Risk management for ecologically sustainable development: predicting extinction and recolonisation in the Mound Springs of SA
ARC Collaborative Grant (SPIRT)
View all 79 past funded projects View less
Supervision
Availability
Professor Hugh Possingham is: : Available for supervision
Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.
Supervision history
Current supervision
- Doctor Philosophy
##### Using coral reef condition indicators for more effective protected area planning
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Chris Roelfsema, Associate Professor Carissa Klein - Doctor Philosophy
##### Expand or Improve Protected Areas - Modeling Optimal Conservation Policies for Biodiversity
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Matthew Holden - Doctor Philosophy
##### Improving outcomes for iconic species conservation - Developing culturally appropriate solutions to managing human wildlife conflict
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Angela Dean - Master Philosophy
##### Mammal conservation and ecological refuges in FarNorth Queensland
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Diana Fisher - Doctor Philosophy
##### Conserving migratory species
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor James Watson, Professor Richard Fuller - Doctor Philosophy
##### Strategic conservation of a priority species
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Diana Fisher - Doctor Philosophy
##### Understanding marine migratory connectivity for more sustainable oceans
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Lily Bentley, Associate Professor Daniel Dunn
View all 7 current supervisions View less
Completed supervision
- 2025
Doctor Philosophy
##### Forest restoration in complex social-ecological landscapes
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Angela Dean - 2024
Doctor Philosophy
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Matthew Holden - 2023
Doctor Philosophy
##### Transforming biodiversity conservation research practices
Principal Advisor - 2023
Doctor Philosophy
##### Ecological restoration planning for effective conservation of terrestrial biodiversity
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor James Watson - 2022
Doctor Philosophy
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Stuart Phinn - 2022
Doctor Philosophy
##### Impacts of marine heatwaves to kelp forests and climate-smart conservation
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Carissa Klein - 2021
Doctor Philosophy
##### Rhinoceros Horn and Traditional Chinese Medicine: Demand in China
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Lorraine Mazerolle - 2020
Doctor Philosophy
##### Nest Ecology of an Endangered Woodland Avifauna
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Richard Fuller - 2020
Doctor Philosophy
##### Plastic pollution and conservation of imperilled seabird species
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Richard Fuller - 2020
Doctor Philosophy
##### Assessing Bird Migrations
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Simone Blomberg, Professor Richard Fuller - 2019
Doctor Philosophy
##### Decision-support for marine spatial prioritisation
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Carissa Klein - 2018
Doctor Philosophy
##### Evaluating trade-offs between quantitative and qualitative protected area objectives
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Catherine Lovelock - 2017
Doctor Philosophy
##### Managing direct and indirect threats to marine ecosystems to balance multiple objectives
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Anthony Richardson, Associate Professor Carissa Klein - 2017
Doctor Philosophy
##### Conserving migratory species under human impacts and climate change
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Richard Fuller - 2016
Doctor Philosophy
##### Applying ecosystem services thinking to natural resource management and conservation decision making
Principal Advisor - 2016
Doctor Philosophy
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor James Watson - 2016
Doctor Philosophy
Principal Advisor - 2016
Doctor Philosophy
##### Identifying critical habitat for threatened species: concepts and challenges
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Martine Maron - 2015
Doctor Philosophy
##### Spatially explicit cost-effective actions for biodiversity threat abatement
Principal Advisor - 2015
Doctor Philosophy
##### Managing resources (time or money) optimally in Conservation Biology
Principal Advisor - 2015
Doctor Philosophy
##### Adding and subtracting species: The mathematics of eradication and reintroduction for conservation
Principal Advisor - 2014
Doctor Philosophy
##### Advancing spatial prioritization for coral reef ecosystems
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Carissa Klein - 2014
Doctor Philosophy
##### Analysis of the institutional arrangements for the management of Australia's threatened birds
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Brian Head - 2013
Doctor Philosophy
##### Biological and Environmental Surrogates for Ecology and Conservation
Principal Advisor - 2013
Doctor Philosophy
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Anthony Richardson - 2013
Doctor Philosophy
##### Methods for Decision Theory in Conservation Biology
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Anthony Richardson - 2013
Doctor Philosophy
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Simone Blomberg - 2012
Doctor Philosophy
##### Effects of climate change on marine ecosystems and potential management responses
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Anthony Richardson - 2012
Doctor Philosophy
##### Improving measurements of protected area effectiveness
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Richard Fuller - 2012
Doctor Philosophy
##### Spatial conservation prioritisation under global threats
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Richard Fuller - 2012
Doctor Philosophy
##### Conservation in naturally fragmented landscapes: the Mexican cloud forest and Vanuatu archipelago
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Richard Fuller - 2011
Doctor Philosophy
##### Connectivity modelling of the coral reef ecosystem
Principal Advisor - 2011
Doctor Philosophy
##### Assessing and planning for the climate and biodiversity outcomes of avoided deforestation
Principal Advisor - 2011
Doctor Philosophy
##### Adapting optimisation techniques for improved conservation management in large state spaces
Principal Advisor - 2011
Doctor Philosophy
##### Evaluation in conservation decision making
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Marc Hockings - 2010
Doctor Philosophy
##### Measuring, modelling and managing tradeoffs in low rainfall agroforestry for Australia¿s subtropics.
Principal Advisor - 2010
Doctor Philosophy
##### Cost-effective conservation planning
Principal Advisor - 2010
Doctor Philosophy
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Cynthia Riginos - 2010
Doctor Philosophy
##### Spatial Conservation Prioritisation Applied to Protected Area Design
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg - 2009
Doctor Philosophy
##### Optimal decision-making in conservation: management, uncertainty and monitoring
Principal Advisor - 2009
Doctor Philosophy
##### Catastrophes, resilience, and the theory of designing marine reserves
Principal Advisor - 2009
Doctor Philosophy
##### Accounting for ecosystem dynamics and uncertainty in conservation planning
Principal Advisor - 2009
Doctor Philosophy
##### Lowland Rain Forests of the Tropical South Pacific: Diversity, Ecology and Evolution
Principal Advisor - 2008
Doctor Philosophy
Principal Advisor - 2008
Doctor Philosophy
##### Models and Framework that Enhance Systematic Planning for Coral Reef Biodiversity Conservation
Principal Advisor - 2008
Doctor Philosophy
##### Theory to Guide the Management of Species for Conservation
Principal Advisor - 2008
Doctor Philosophy
##### Decision Theory in Conservation Biology: Case Studies in Mathematical Conservation
Principal Advisor - 2007
Doctor Philosophy
##### SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS FOR COMPLEX ECOSYSTEM MODELS
Principal Advisor - 2007
Master Philosophy
##### A SUSTAINABILITY ASSESSMENT TOOL FOR STORMWATER PLANNING
Principal Advisor - 2006
Doctor Philosophy
##### PLANNING FOR PERSISTENCE: USING THE RISK OF EXTINCTION IN MULTI-SPECIES APPROACHES TO CONSERVATION PLANNING
Principal Advisor - 2006
Doctor Philosophy
##### OPTIMAL MONITORING AND HARVESTING OF A WILD POPULATION UNDER UNCERTAINTY
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Philip Pollett - 2006
Doctor Philosophy
##### MODELING UNPLANNED LANDSCAPE CHANGE: A COLOMBIAN CASE STUDY
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr David Pullar, Professor Stuart Phinn - 2005
Doctor Philosophy
##### Goal functions and ecosystem constraints: Thermodynamic goal functions, local stability, maximal resilience, and permanence
Principal Advisor - 2005
Doctor Philosophy
##### PREDICTING WOODLAND BIRD RESPONSE TO LIVESTOCK GRAZING
Principal Advisor - 2004
Doctor Philosophy
##### SYSTEMATIC MARINE RESERVE DESIGN
Principal Advisor - 2025
Doctor Philosophy
##### Breaking the bias: delivering gender equality in conservation and climate action
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Kristen Lyons - 2024
Master Philosophy
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Noam Levin, Professor Salit Kark - 2024
Doctor Philosophy
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Angela Dean - 2021
Doctor Philosophy
##### Planning for Australian threatened species' recovery
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor James Watson - 2021
Doctor Philosophy
##### Managing ecosystem services for multiple beneficiaries
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Laura Sonter - 2020
Doctor Philosophy
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Laura Sonter, Professor James Watson, Professor Martine Maron - 2020
Doctor Philosophy
##### Invertebrate monitoring as a measure of ecosystem change
Associate Advisor - 2020
Doctor Philosophy
##### Improving outcomes and delivering multiple benefits in ecological restoration
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr John Dwyer - 2019
Doctor Philosophy
##### Ecology of biotic invasions on mainland Australia and its islands
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Salit Kark - 2019
Doctor Philosophy
##### Conservation ecology of Sharman's rock-wallaby (Petrogale sharmani)
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Diana Fisher - 2019
Doctor Philosophy
##### Microalgal biofuel production systems: Environmental aspects and impacts on biodiversity
Associate Advisor - 2019
Doctor Philosophy
##### Invasive species management under uncertainty: A participatory and modelling approach
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Eve McDonald-Madden, Professor Salit Kark - 2019
Doctor Philosophy
##### Wilderness Conservation in the Anthropocene
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor James Watson - 2019
Doctor Philosophy
##### Improving Marine Conservation Planning in a Time of Global Change
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Carissa Klein, Professor James Watson - 2019
Doctor Philosophy
##### Advancing marine conservation prioritisation in an increasingly threatened ocean
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Noam Levin, Professor Salit Kark - 2019
Doctor Philosophy
##### Conserving Antarctic biodiversity in the Anthropocene
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Richard Fuller - 2019
Doctor Philosophy
##### Resolving the role of zooplankton in the marine ecosystem with functional size spectra
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Anthony Richardson - 2018
Doctor Philosophy
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Marc Hockings - 2017
Doctor Philosophy
##### Managing natural capital assets and ecosystem services under global change.
Associate Advisor - 2017
Doctor Philosophy
##### Dynamic vulnerability of the Great Barrier Reef: Impacts of local versus global stressors
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Peter Mumby - 2016
Doctor Philosophy
##### Ecosystem-wide management of invasive species in the face of severe uncertainty
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Eve McDonald-Madden - 2016
Doctor Philosophy
##### Restoration planning of degraded tropical forests for biodiversity and ecosystem services
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Peter Erskine - 2016
Doctor Philosophy
##### Threats to migratory birds, and actions for their conservation
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Richard Fuller - 2015
Doctor Philosophy
##### Conserving migratory and nomadic species
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Richard Fuller - 2015
Doctor Philosophy
##### Advancing systematic conservation planning in the Mediterranean Sea
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Anthony Richardson, Professor Salit Kark - 2015
Doctor Philosophy
##### Identifying threats and conservation priorities across an international migration pathway
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Stuart Phinn, Professor Richard Fuller - 2014
Doctor Philosophy
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Cynthia Riginos - 2013
Doctor Philosophy
##### Protected area effectiveness: evaluation of biological outcomes in protected areas
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Marc Hockings - 2013
Doctor Philosophy
##### Integrating ecology, oceanography and genetics for spatial fisheries management
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Ian Tibbetts - 2013
Doctor Philosophy
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Janet Lanyon - 2013
Doctor Philosophy
##### Prioritisation of investment in monitoring for conservation
Associate Advisor - 2011
Doctor Philosophy
##### The Ecology of Dispersal: Causes and Consequences of Phenotype-Dependent Dispersal
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Anthony Richardson - 2011
Doctor Philosophy
Associate Advisor - 2011
Doctor Philosophy
Associate Advisor - 2011
Master Philosophy
##### Urban growth, biodiversity, and the extinction of experience
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Richard Fuller - 2010
Doctor Philosophy
##### Landscape matrix development intensity and its impact on mammals
Associate Advisor - 2010
Doctor Philosophy
##### Validating management effectiveness evaluations of protected areas in Australia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Marc Hockings - 2009
Doctor Philosophy
Associate Advisor - 2009
Doctor Philosophy
Associate Advisor - 2009
Doctor Philosophy
##### Understanding the mechanisms behind invasion to improve the efficacy of control strategies
Associate Advisor - 2008
Doctor Philosophy
Associate Advisor - 2007
Doctor Philosophy
##### CONSERVING AND RESTORING WILDLIFE IN FRAGMENTED URBAN LANDSCAPES: A CASE STUDY FROM BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Ann Ellen Peterson - 2007
Doctor Philosophy
##### DENSITY DEPENDENT MARKOV POPULATION PROCESSES: MODELS AND METHODOLOGY
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Philip Pollett - 2006
Doctor Philosophy
##### PROCESSES LEADING TO SPECIATION IN AUSTRALIAN WET TROPICS FAUNA: DIVERGENCE AMONG THREE SIBLING LINEAGES OF SKINKS
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Sandie Degnan - 2006
Doctor Philosophy
##### EFFECTIVENESS OF NO-TAKE MARINE RESERVES IN MORETON BAY, SUBTROPICAL AUSTRALIA
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Ron Johnstone - 2005
Doctor Philosophy
##### THE ECOLOGY, MANAGEMENT AND MONITORING OF WILDLIFE POPULATIONS IN FRAGMENTED LANDSCAPES - A KOALA CASE STUDY
Associate Advisor - 2005
Doctor Philosophy
##### HITTING TIMES FOR MARKOV POPULATION PROCESSES SUBJECT TO CATASTROPHES
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Philip Pollett - 2005
Doctor Philosophy
##### Invasion of Contrasting Ecosystems by Alien Plant Species
Associate Advisor
View all 103 completed supervisions View less
Media
Enquiries
Contact Professor Hugh Possingham directly for media enquiries about:
- Animals - population numbers
- Biodiversity
- Biodiversity monitoring
- Biology - conservation
- Conservation biology
- Decision theory
- Decision theory - physical sciences
- Ecology
- Ecology - mathematical
- Ecology - mathematics
- Ecology and maths
- Environment and pests
- Environmental conservation
- Environmental degradation
- Extinct species
- Extinction of species
- Fisheries management
- Marine parks
- Marine reserve design
- Marine reserves
- Mathematical ecology
- Maths and ecology
- National park design
- National park management
- Nature reserve design
- Optimisation - physical sciences
- Pest management
- Pests and the environment
- Reserve design
- Species - extinction
- Species - population numbers
- Theoretical ecology
- Threatened species
- Weed management
- Wildlife reserves
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