Dave Watson, Professor of Ecology – Charles Sturt University 

Professor Dave Watson leads a group of researchers working at the interface between community ecology and landscape-scale restoration. In addition to distributional dynamics, Dave’s team develops new ways to estimate biodiversity, pioneering the use of results-based stopping rules to standardize diversity estimates and collaborating with computer scientists to detect species automatically from long-duration recordings.

Having recently established the Australian Acoustic Observatory with a team of other researchers, Dave’s current research extends to sandalwood management in the western desert, wildlife conservation in agricultural landscapes, and mistletoe ecology and evolution worldwide.

Ongoing projects include the development and manufacture of future-proof nest boxes (using 3D-printed plastics), working with landholders to maximise Carbon sequestration in on-farm habitats, and using strategic interventions to keep common species common. https://ecosystemunraveller.com