# James Watson

**Source**: https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/5735
**Parent**: https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/920

Professor

# James Watson

Email:
:   [james.watson@uq.edu.au](mailto:james.watson@uq.edu.au)

Phone:
:   [+61 7 334 61645](tel:+61 7 334 61645)

## 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

Professor (Environ Mgmt)
:   School of the Environment
:   Faculty of Science

## 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](https://cbcs.centre.uq.edu.au/).

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### Availability

Professor James Watson is:
:   Available for supervision
:   Media expert

### Fields of research

[Ecology](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/search?research-field=4872)
[Environmental Sciences](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/search?research-field=4773)

### Qualifications

- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Oxford

### Research interests

- #### Conservation policy and practice

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## Works

[Search Professor James Watson’s works on UQ eSpace](http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/list/author_id/75896)

[All
(507)](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts-publication/5735/all)
[Book
(2)](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts-publication/5735/4747)
[Journal Article
(439)](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts-publication/5735/4748)
[Other Outputs
(38)](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts-publication/5735/4749)
[Conference Publication
(6)](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts-publication/5735/4751)
[Book Chapter
(22)](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts-publication/5735/4752)

2026

Journal Article

##### Projected human land-use pressures and natural habitat conversion risk within global terrestrial protected areas

Li, Guangdong, Wang, Zhenbo, Sun, Siao, Qi, Wei and Watson, James E. M. (2026). Projected human land-use pressures and natural habitat conversion risk within global terrestrial protected areas. Nature Ecology & Evolution. doi: 10.1038/s41559-025-02958-3

[Projected human land-use pressures and natural habitat conversion risk within global terrestrial protected areas](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:ca1f049)

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](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:732d866)

2025

Journal Article

##### Looking back to plan for the future: A short history of systematic conservation planning and its increasing importance in abating earth's biodiversity crisis

Adams, Vanessa M., Grantham, Hedley S. and Watson, James E. M. (2025). Looking back to plan for the future: A short history of systematic conservation planning and its increasing importance in abating earth's biodiversity crisis. Austral Ecology, 50 (12) e70157, 1-10. doi: 10.1111/aec.70157

[Looking back to plan for the future: A short history of systematic conservation planning and its increasing importance in abating earth's biodiversity crisis](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:3a89602)

2025

Journal Article

##### Uncovering the Calls of Data‐Deficient Masked Owls Using Morphology and Environmental Gradients

Jackett, Nigel A., Schodde, Richard, Leseberg, Nicholas P., Murphy, Stephen A., Joseph, Leo, Wykes, Boyd J., Todd, Michael K., Gros, Charley, Bilney, Rohan J., Barden, Paul, Knock, Peter, Dunne, Craig and Watson, James E. M. (2025). Uncovering the Calls of Data‐Deficient Masked Owls Using Morphology and Environmental Gradients. Journal of Biogeography, 52 (12) e70110. doi: 10.1111/jbi.70110

[Uncovering the Calls of Data‐Deficient Masked Owls Using Morphology and Environmental Gradients](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:41dca37)

2025

Journal Article

##### Effect of climate on traits of dominant and rare tree species in the world’s forests

Hordijk, Iris, Poorter, Lourens, Liang, Jingjing, Reich, Peter B., de-Miguel, Sergio, Nabuurs, Gert-Jan, Gamarra, Javier G. P., Chen, Han Y. H., Zhou, Mo, Wiser, Susan K., Pretzsch, Hans, Paquette, Alain, Picard, Nicolas, Hérault, Bruno, Bastin, Jean-Francois, Alberti, Giorgio, Abegg, Meinrad, Adou Yao, Yves C., Almeyda Zambrano, Angelica M., Alvarado, Braulio V., Alvarez-Davila, Esteban, Alvarez-Loayza, Patricia, Alves, Luciana F., Amaral, Iêda, Ammer, Christian, Antón-Fernández, Clara, Araujo-Murakami, Alejandro, Arroyo, Luzmila, Avitabile, Valerio ... Crowther, Thomas W. (2025). Effect of climate on traits of dominant and rare tree species in the world’s forests. Nature Communications, 16 (1) 4773, 1-15. doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-59754-7

[Effect of climate on traits of dominant and rare tree species in the world’s forests](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:c099b84)

2025

Journal Article

##### Role of protected areas in mitigating range loss and local extinctions of terrestrial mammals

Cristiano, Andrea, Pillay, Rajeev, Ramírez-Delgado, Juan Pablo, Watson, James E.M., Venter, Oscar and Pacifici, Michela (2025). Role of protected areas in mitigating range loss and local extinctions of terrestrial mammals. Conservation Biology, 39 (6) e70092, e70092. doi: 10.1111/cobi.70092

[Role of protected areas in mitigating range loss and local extinctions of terrestrial mammals](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:254f707)

2025

Journal Article

##### TOWARDS RESILIENT AND INCLUSIVE CLIMATE COMPATIBLE DEVELOPMENT: A PARTICIPATORY, MIXED-METHOD SCENARIOS APPROACH FOR ZAMBIA

Hughes, Nick, Nyambe-Mubanga, Mulima, Mapulanga, Willard, Hazemba, Malonga, Chileshe, Stephen, Tembo, Bernard, Watson, Jim, Cronin, Jennifer, Pye, Steve, Tomei, Julia, Tesfamichael, Meron, Mulugetta, Yacob, Bawakyillenuo, Simon and Crentsil, Aba Obrumah (2025). TOWARDS RESILIENT AND INCLUSIVE CLIMATE COMPATIBLE DEVELOPMENT: A PARTICIPATORY, MIXED-METHOD SCENARIOS APPROACH FOR ZAMBIA. Global Environmental Change, 95 103072, 103072. doi: 10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2025.103072

[TOWARDS RESILIENT AND INCLUSIVE CLIMATE COMPATIBLE DEVELOPMENT: A PARTICIPATORY, MIXED-METHOD SCENARIOS APPROACH FOR ZAMBIA](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:7acd6a1)

2025

Journal Article

##### Global comparison of habitat intactness models for predicting extinction risk in terrestrial mammals

Ramírez-Delgado, Juan Pablo, Marco, Moreno Di, Johnson, Chris J., Watson, James E. M., Beyer, Hawthorne L., Barros, Luizmar de Assis, Pillay, Rajeev and Venter, Oscar (2025). Global comparison of habitat intactness models for predicting extinction risk in terrestrial mammals. Ecography, 2025 (11) e08100. doi: 10.1002/ecog.08100

[Global comparison of habitat intactness models for predicting extinction risk in terrestrial mammals](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:c1d2f0f)

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

[A balanced measure of conservation outcomes: tracking woody vegetation loss and protection in Queensland, Australia](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:0be93b4)

2025

Journal Article

##### The first record of a Plains-wanderer (Pedionomus torquatus) nest in Queensland highlights the importance of arid zone herblands

Terrington, Daniel I., Leseberg, Nicholas P., Bone, Indra T., McDonald, Jane A., Teixeira, Daniella, Grills, Ethan and Watson, James E. M. (2025). The first record of a Plains-wanderer (Pedionomus torquatus) nest in Queensland highlights the importance of arid zone herblands. Emu, 125 (3), 277-282. doi: 10.1080/01584197.2025.2555935

[The first record of a Plains-wanderer (Pedionomus torquatus) nest in Queensland highlights the importance of arid zone herblands](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:9c5faf5)

2025

Journal Article

##### Leveraging digital interventions to build public support for bold policy change aimed at conserving biodiversity

Kindler, Gareth S., Kelly, Nick and Watson, James E. M. (2025). Leveraging digital interventions to build public support for bold policy change aimed at conserving biodiversity. Integrative Conservation, 4 (3), 354-361. doi: 10.1002/inc3.70031

[Leveraging digital interventions to build public support for bold policy change aimed at conserving biodiversity](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:6309b6f)

2025

Journal Article

##### High-integrity forests are critical for forest specialist birds

Callaghan, Corey T., Venegas-Li, Ruben, Mason, Brittany M., Fuller, Richard A., Spake, Rebecca and Watson, James E. M. (2025). High-integrity forests are critical for forest specialist birds. Global Ecology and Biogeography, 34 (9) e70118, 1-11. doi: 10.1111/geb.70118

[High-integrity forests are critical for forest specialist birds](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:9503104)

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?](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:b2d3773)

2025

Journal Article

##### Large reductions in tropical bird abundance attributable to heat extreme intensification

Kotz, Maximilian, Amano, Tatsuya and Watson, James E. M. (2025). Large reductions in tropical bird abundance attributable to heat extreme intensification. Nature Ecology and Evolution, 9 (10), 1897-1909. doi: 10.1038/s41559-025-02811-7

[Large reductions in tropical bird abundance attributable to heat extreme intensification](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:0629b5f)

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](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:b166560)

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

##### Groundhog Day: the EPBC Act reform process

Bell-James, Justine, Maron, Martine, McCormack, Phillipa C. and Watson, James E. M. (2025). Groundhog Day: the EPBC Act reform process. Environmental and Planning Law Journal, 41, 19-40.

[Groundhog Day: the EPBC Act reform process](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:098edf2)

2025

Journal Article

##### Bridging conservation gaps under climate change at multiple scales to protect 30% of Earth's surface by 2030

Wu, Hui, Yu, Le, Shen, Xiaoli, Watson, James E. M., Wan, Huawei, Cao, Yue, Hua, Ting, Liu, Tao, Zhao, Jianqiao, Liu, Jianguo, Gao, Jixi and Ma, Keping (2025). Bridging conservation gaps under climate change at multiple scales to protect 30% of Earth's surface by 2030. Conservation Biology, 39 (5) e70054, e70054. doi: 10.1111/cobi.70054

[Bridging conservation gaps under climate change at multiple scales to protect 30% of Earth's surface by 2030](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:ebf6965)

2025

Journal Article

##### Negotiating risks to natural capital in net-zero transitions

Pascale, Andrew C., Watson, James E. M., Davis, Dominic, Smart, Simon, Brear, Michael, Jones, Ryan and Greig, Chris (2025). Negotiating risks to natural capital in net-zero transitions. Nature Sustainability, 8 (6), 619-628. doi: 10.1038/s41893-025-01576-y

[Negotiating risks to natural capital in net-zero transitions](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:82ef59a)

2025

Journal Article

##### Educating and empowering Australians through a digital approach to biodiversity conservation

Kindler, Gareth S., Kelly, Nick, Carden, Tim and Watson, James E. M. (2025). Educating and empowering Australians through a digital approach to biodiversity conservation. Conservation Science and Practice, 7 (4) e70039, 1-13. doi: 10.1111/csp2.70039

[Educating and empowering Australians through a digital approach to biodiversity conservation](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:4a58801)

## Funding

### Past funding

- 2023 - 2025

  Queensland regional planning assessments

  Queensland Conservation Council

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/61465)
- 2023 - 2025

  Mapping environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks to Australia's mining sector - a tool for responsible investment

  Commonwealth Government Geoscience Australia

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/59566)
- 2023

  Wilderness Inventory Data Review

  Minister for Climate, Environment and Water (South Australia)

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/57966)
- 2022 - 2023

  Mapping threatened species recovery across Federal electorates

  World Wide Fund for Nature Australia

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/54485)
- 2022 - 2025

  A critical pathway for Australia's Conservation Future (Ian Potter Foundation grant administered by the University of Melbourne)

  University of Melbourne

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/54268)
- 2021 - 2022

  Climate Change Adaptation Planning for Threatened Species: pilot project

  Australian Capital Territory - Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate - Conservation Research Branch

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/49929)
- 2021

  Apply Key Biodiversity Criteria to Bush Heritage Priority Landscapes to determine intactness and land condition

  Bush Heritage Australia

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/49086)
- 2020 - 2024

  Linking assessment of global goals for ecosystems and species by coupling WCS and CSIRO capabilities in landscape integrity mapping and biodiversity modelling

  Wildlife Conservation Society (USA)

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/48105)
- 2020 - 2024

  A conservation metric for business to measure biodiversity

  Wildlife Conservation Society (USA)

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/48106)
- 2020 - 2024

  Assessing the biotic response to intact forest metrics

  Wildlife Conservation Society (USA)

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/41609)
- 2020 - 2023

  Vibrant Oceans: Applied Coral Reef Conservation

  Wildlife Conservation Society (USA)

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/38404)
- 2019 - 2021

  KBA mapping for Australia

  Birdlife Australia

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/38995)
- 2019 - 2020

  The ecology and conservation biogeography of the buff-breasted button-quail

  Birds Queensland

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/37817)
- 2019 - 2021

  ACF Key Biodiversity Areas Mapping Project

  Australian Conservation Foundation

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/38061)
- 2019 - 2023

  Ecosystem risk assessment (ARC Linkage Project administered by The University of New South Wales)

  University of New South Wales

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/37523)
- 2018 - 2021

  Global priorities for terrestrial biodiversity

  Wildlife Conservation Society (USA)

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/37547)
- 2018 - 2024

  Land clearing assessment on species

  Australian Conservation Foundation

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/35693)
- 2018 - 2021

  Identifying Nature's Strongholds

  Wildlife Conservation Society (USA)

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/35677)
- 2018 - 2019

  Conservation Priority Setting

  Wildlife Conservation Society (USA)

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/35672)
- 2018 - 2019

  Africa Climate Change and Biodiversity - ABCG II

  Wildlife Conservation Society (USA)

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/35061)
- 2018

  Identifying the most important terrestrial wilderness areas on the planet

  Wildlife Conservation Society (USA)

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/34701)
- 2017 - 2018

  Australia wide analysis for threatened species

  Australian Conservation Foundation

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/33408)
- 2017 - 2019

  Intact Forests - Framework Metric

  Wildlife Conservation Society (USA)

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/36214)
- 2017 - 2018

  SNAPP Compensatory Conservation Working Group

  The Nature Conservancy

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/31421)
- 2017 - 2021

  Macarthur Intact Forests

  Wildlife Conservation Society (USA)

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/31225)
- 2017 - 2018

  Rapid response to significant unanticipated threat - testing novel feral cat control strategies to support conservation of the endangered alwal/golden-shouldered parrot [...]

  Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage Protection

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/30668)
- 2017 - 2020

  Night Parrot Research, Pullen Pullen Reserve, Qld

  Bush Heritage Australia

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/31314)
- 2017 - 2019

  Africa Spatial Planning - ABCG II

  Wildlife Conservation Society (USA)

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/30363)
- 2016 - 2020

  Optimising community-based climate change adaptation in the Pacific Islands

  ARC Linkage Projects

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/28471)
- 2016 - 2021

  GIS support to WCS Indonesia Program's Sulawesi project

  Wildlife Conservation Society (USA)

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/31552)
- 2016 - 2019

  Intact forests values assessment

  Wildlife Conservation Society (USA)

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/29757)
- 2016 - 2017

  Provide MARXAN analysis of WCS Papua New Guinea program

  Wildlife Conservation Society (USA)

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/29358)
- 2016 - 2022

  The capacity of forests to protect regional climate under global warming

  ARC Discovery Projects

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/27139)
- 2016 - 2018

  Assessing biodiversity priorities and carbon values across the Great Eastern Ranges

  Australian Conservation Foundation

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/29001)
- 2016 - 2017

  Africa Biodiversity Consultative Group II

  Wildlife Conservation Society (USA)

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/28874)
- 2016 - 2021

  Support for Research Assistants

  Wildlife Conservation Society (USA)

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/28876)
- 2016 - 2018

  The Luc Hoffman Institute Fellow - Pathways for Drivers of Positive Change

  WWF International

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/27827)
- 2016 - 2019

  Planning for the impacts of land-uses on coral reef fisheries

  ARC Linkage Projects

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/26515)
- 2016 - 2017

  Analysis of the public protected area framework in NSW and future opportunities

  UniQuest Pty Ltd

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/28116)
- 2016 - 2020

  Assimilating development objectives in conservation planning

  ARC Discovery Projects

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/27151)
- 2016 - 2017

  ECO-SMarT

  Wildlife Conservation Society (USA)

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/28875)
- 2015 - 2017

  Integrating human response to climate change into conservation planning: developing an integrated decision framework

  Research Donation Generic

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/27458)
- 2015 - 2018

  MacArthur Foundation - Lower Mekong

  Wildlife Conservation Society (USA)

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/26834)
- 2015 - 2019

  `MacArthur Foundation - Portfolio Approach

  Wildlife Conservation Society (USA)

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/26832)
- 2015 - 2018

  MacArthur Foundation - Tanzania - Green Economies

  Wildlife Conservation Society (USA)

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/26833)
- 2014 - 2021

  NESP Threatened Species Recovery Hub

  National Environmental Science Program

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/23636)
- 2014 - 2015

  Africa Biodiversity Consultative Group

  Wildlife Conservation Society (USA)

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/23507)
- 2014 - 2015

  Conservation strategy fund - Uganda

  Wildlife Conservation Society (USA)

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/23496)
- 2014 - 2015

  MacArthur Foundation - Birdlife subgrant - Support WCS's East Africa climate assessment work for Rwanda and Tanzania

  Wildlife Conservation Society (USA)

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/23495)
- 2014 - 2018

  MacArthur Foundation - West Indian Ocean spatial planning assessment

  Wildlife Conservation Society (USA)

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/23506)
- 2014 - 2015

  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Eastern DRC spatial planning

  Wildlife Conservation Society (USA)

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/23503)
- 2013 - 2016

  Climate adaptation on coral reefs

  Wildlife Conservation Society (USA)

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/15975)

View all 52 past funded projects
View less

## Supervision

### Availability

Professor James Watson 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

  ##### Autecology of an endangered Australian passerine: CarpentarianGrasswren (Amytornis dorotheae)

  Principal Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Professor Martine Maron](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/2024)
- 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](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/1735), [Associate Professor Daniel Dunn](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/24799)
- Doctor Philosophy

  ##### Managing grazing in the grasslands of Queenslands Channel Country: a critical refuge for the Critically Endangered Plains Wanderer

  Principal Advisor
- Doctor Philosophy

  ##### Conservation biogeography of the Northern Masked Owl Tyto novaehollandiae kimberli

  Principal Advisor
- Doctor Philosophy

  ##### The Conservation Biogeography of the Red Goshawk

  Principal Advisor
- Doctor Philosophy

  ##### Using Barn Owls to detect Endangered or cryptic species in western Queensland

  Principal Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Associate Professor Diana Fisher](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/397)
- Doctor Philosophy

  ##### Conserving migratory species

  Associate Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Professor Hugh Possingham](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/920), [Professor Richard Fuller](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/1992)

View all 7 current supervisions
View less

#### Completed supervision

- 2024

  Master Philosophy

  ##### [Engaging elected representatives and constituencies for biodiversity conservation success](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:56d4db5)

  Principal Advisor
- 2024

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [Ecology and conservation of the Buff-breasted Button-quail (Turnix olivii)](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:665f6f7)

  Principal Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Professor Martine Maron](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/2024)
- 2022

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [Assessing the state and planning for the conservation of intact ecosystems](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:28a000b)

  Principal Advisor
- 2022

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [Conservation Biogeography of the Night Parrot (Pezoporus occidentalis)](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:618d2da)

  Principal Advisor

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

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [Improving Australia's response to the biodiversity crisis](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:94a6ad1)

  Principal Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Dr April Reside](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/14302)
- 2020

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [Environmental implications of meeting future demand for sugarcane-based ethanol in Brazil.](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:2f8bd07)

  Principal Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Dr Anthony Halog](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/2748)
- 2019

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [Wilderness Conservation in the Anthropocene](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:a1a2d37)

  Principal Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Professor Hugh Possingham](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/920)
- 2019

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [Improving Marine Conservation Planning in a Time of Global Change](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:9b54a5e)

  Principal Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Professor Hugh Possingham](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/920), [Associate Professor Carissa Klein](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/1735)
- 2018

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [Assessment and planning for emerging impacts of climate change on species](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:452ad08)

  Principal Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Professor Eve McDonald-Madden](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/1623)
- 2024

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [Megafauna losses and predatory interactions in tropical forests](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:2f2f18f)

  Associate Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Associate Professor Matthew Luskin](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/26286)
- 2023

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [Ecological restoration planning for effective conservation of terrestrial biodiversity](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:b25d5d6)

  Associate Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Professor Hugh Possingham](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/920)
- 2022

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [Biodiversity Risks and Safeguards of Global Infrastructure Finance: The Case of China's Belt and Road Initiative](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:63970a4)

  Associate Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Professor Martine Maron](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/2024)
- 2021

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [Planning for Australian threatened species' recovery](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:8556bfc)

  Associate Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Professor Hugh Possingham](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/920)
- 2021

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [Reducing fishing impacts on species of conservation concern at multiple scales](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:b57face)

  Associate Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Professor Salit Kark](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/1793), [Associate Professor Carissa Klein](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/1735)
- 2020

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [Impact mitigation in marine and coastal environments: policy challenges and shortfalls](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:58c58ae)

  Associate Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Professor Martine Maron](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/2024)
- 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), [Associate Professor Laura Sonter](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/18170), [Professor Martine Maron](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/2024)
- 2020

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [Natural capital and distributive justice; a multidisciplinary, multi-scalar assessment](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:a43da1d)

  Associate Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Dr Bradd Witt](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/172)
- 2020

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [Assessing the effectiveness of planned adaptation in rural Pacific Island communities: case studies from Fiji and Kiribati](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:5b1a52e)

  Associate Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Professor Karen McNamara](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/2938)
- 2020

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [The exposure and contribution of predators and scavengers to humans](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:b9a411a)

  Associate Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Dr Matthew Holden](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/12708), [Professor Eve McDonald-Madden](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/1623)
- 2018

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [The impact of urban growth and climate change on heat stress in a sub-tropical Australian city](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:899c8f7)

  Associate Advisor
- 2016

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [Using fine and coarse conservation targets to maximize cost-effectiveness of road mitigation and protected areas](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:393339)

  Associate Advisor

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

View all 21 completed supervisions
View less

## Media

### Enquiries

Contact Professor James Watson directly for media enquiries about:

- Australian Birds
- biodiversity
- bird conservation
- climate change
- extinction
- landclearing
- landuse planning
- logging
- protected area planning
- saving species
- species loss

#### 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/0000-0003-4942-1984)
- [ResearcherID](https://www.webofscience.com/wos/author/record/D-8779-2013)
- [Scopus](https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=55213700400)
- [Google Scholar](https://scholar.google.com.au/citations?user=T5SGR4cAAAAJ)

## Personal links

- [Personal profile](http://www.greenfirescience.com)
- [RARES group website](https://raresgroup.com.au)

Log in to Academic Portal to update your profile

[Update my profile](https://academicportal.app.uq.edu.au/profile/)