Skip to main contentAll experts

ProfessorChristopher Johnson

Adjunct Professor

Office of the School of Natural Sciences

Orcid identifier0000-0002-9719-3771 (opens in a new tab)⁠
  • Adjunct Professor
    Office of the School of Natural Sciences
  • +61 3 6226 2745 (Fax)
  • +61 3 6226 6634 (Work)
  • School of Natural Sciences, Biological Sciences, 342 Life Sciences Building, Sandy Bay Campus, TAS

RESEARCH SUMMARy

Expertise

Conservation science
Ecology of vertebrate wildlife
Management of threatened and invasive species
Biology of marsupials
Landscape ecology

Research Themes

Chris Johnson's research aligns with the University's research theme ofEnvironment, Resources and Sustainability. His research investigates many problems that are relevant to the conservation of biodiversity in Australia and globally, in four main areas. First, he studies the causes of extinction of species in the past, both in prehistory and more recently. He has completed seminal studies on the causes of extinction of 'megafauna' (animals like diprotodons and giant kangaroos) over the last 50,000 years, finding new evidence that the impacts of early human populations were responsible for the disappearance of these animals. His work has also clarified our understanding of the reasons for decline of Australian mammal species in the recent past. Second, he aims to understand the effects that large herbivores and top predators have on ecosystems, and to assess the ecological consequences of loss of such species. This work extends from understanding the ecological changes that followed the megafaunal extinctions, showing that in some parts of Australia and elsewhere in the world the structure of vegetation and the activity of fire changed dramatically in consequence of loss of big herbivores, to studies of the effects of the dingo and Tasmanian devil on biodiversity in contemporary Australia. This work on predators has contributed to a re-evaluation of the ecological role and wise management of the dingo in Australia, replacing the attitude that it is an introduced pest and instead promoting an ecological view that the dingo as a top predator is essential for sustaining biodiversity in Australian ecosystems. Third, he studies the environmental history of Australia, with a focus on the effects of changes in the Aboriginal population of Australia in prehistory, fire history, and the impacts of changing land use on wildlife. Finally, he has a strong interest in research on the management of threatened species of wildlife, and on innovative strategies for reducing the impacts on biodiversity of invasive species like feral cats and deer.

Collaboration

Professor Johnson is currently involved in the following collaborations:

With the Australian Wildlife Conservancy (and other partners), investigating causes of declines in native small mammals across northern Australia and finding ways to manage landscapes for recovery of mammalian biodiversity;
With the University of Adelaide and others, developing databases and quantitative methods to determine the timing of extinction in prehistory in Australia and elsewhere;
With researchers from the Australian National University, Netherlands Institute for Ecology, University of Maine and others, investigating the effects of extinction of giant herbivores on global vegetation and fire.

Awards

2013 - Eureka Prize for Environmental Research (with Michael Letnic, Euan Ritchie, Arian Wallach & Adam O'Neill)
2013 - University of Tasmania Vice-Chancellor's Award for Internationally Recognised Research Excellence
2012 - Australian Ecology Research Award, Ecological Society of Australia, for 'recognising excellence in research in Australian ecology, for a specific body of recent work by a mid-career researcher'
2008 - Ellis Troughton Memorial Award and Medal, Australian Mammal Society, for significant scientific contribution to Australian mammalogy
2007 - Whitley Medal, Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales, for '…best book on the natural history of Australian animals published during the previous year'

FUNDED PROJECTS

  • GRANT
    Investigating the sublethal effects of anticoagulant rodenticides on the Tasmanian masked owl (T. n. castanops)
    5 Jan 2026 - 18 Dec 2026
    People funded by this grant:
    • Service J,
    • Pay J,
    • Johnson C
    Project Total: $8,245; Funded by: Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment - Grant ($8,245); University of Tasmania.
  • GRANT
    Renewables Environmental Research Initiative - Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagle and masked owl
    26 Jun 2025 - 30 Jun 2026
    People funded by this grant:
    • Pay J,
    • Broeren R,
    • Wiersma J,
    • Service J,
    • Johnson C
    Project Total: $832,197; The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water is delivering the Renewable Environmental Research Initiative (RERI) to address key information gaps in the regulation of renewable energy developments. The RERI aims to improve understanding of how renewable energy projects affect nationally significant environmental matters, and how best to manage these impacts to enable faster, better-informed decision-making under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). This project focuses on two EPBC-listed species identified as priorities under the RERI: the Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagle and the Tasmanian masked owl. For each species, the project will: Compile existing data and identify key knowledge gaps. Investigate flight behaviour, habitat associations, and vulnerability to impacts from renewable energy infrastructure.Evaluate current survey methods used in pre-construction ecological impact assessments. Findings will be synthesised into species-specific regulatory guidance to support environmental assessments of renewable energy developments and ensure appropriate protections are in place for these threatened species. Funded by: Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water - Tender ($850,800); University of Tasmania.
  • GRANT
    Making the surveys count: estimating the size of the Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagle population
    17 Mar 2025 - 1 Jul 2027
    People funded by this grant:
    • Pay J,
    • Hawkins C,
    • Johnson C,
    • Potts J
    Project Total: $42,000; The Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagle (TWTE) was listed as Endangered over 20 years ago due to its estimated population size of under 1000 individuals and several known threats contributing to its decline. Subsequent research has improved our understanding of TWTE ecology and mortality factors, however information on the current population size is lacking. An empirical population estimate is necessary for understanding the status of the TWTE and to inform strategic conservation decisions. The citizen science project Where? Where? Wedgie! (WWW) conducts structured, statewide surveys each May to monitor population trends. However, converting these survey results into population estimates is limited by uncertainty in detection probabilities (detectability). This project will address that gap by developing an innovative approach that integrates WWW survey data with GPS-tracking data from eagles monitored across Tasmania to calculate the probability of detection. This will allow the estimation of the population size by combining the resulting detection function with ongoing WWW survey data. Funded by: Southern Regional Natural Resource Management Association Inc (NRM South) - Grant ($46,200); University of Tasmania.
  • GRANT
    Wedge-Tailed Eagle Research Fund PhD - Eagle disturbance
    1 Oct 2024 - 31 Mar 2028
    People funded by this grant:
    • Pay J,
    • Johnson C,
    • Burridge C,
    • Young C
    Project Total: $176,166; Recent research on the Tasmanian Wedge-tailed eagle (TWTE), including work funded by the Wedge-tailed eagle Research Fund (WTERF) has provided valuable information on TWTE behaviour, demography of the population, and the magnitude of anthropogenic impacts. A large project that is currently underway with support from an ARC Linkage grant is investigating the factors causing collisions with wind farms, aspects of the behavioural responses of nesting TWTEs to forestry activities, and the size and status of the TWTE population. There remains a gap in our knowledge of how eagles respond to a wide range of disturbances and human activities related to land use. This is important because while the TWTE appears to be highly sensitive to disturbance, behavioural responses to specific disturbances are poorly known, and it is not clear how these responses affect population viability. This PhD project will investigate how TWTEs respond to a range of human activities. The project will have a particular focus on using existing datasets (including GPS-tracking data) as well as carrying out field experiments to assess effects of disturbance on behaviour and breeding success of eagles. All ethical requirements and veterinary competencies will be met. Funded by: Southern Regional Natural Resource Management Association Inc (NRM South) - Grant - Wedge-tailed Eagle Research Fund ($176,166); University of Tasmania.
  • GRANT
    Using livestock guardian dogs to support regenerative farming
    1 Sep 2024 - 30 Dec 2027
    People funded by this grant:
    • Johnson C,
    • van Bommel L
    Project Total: $290,000; Livestock guardian dogs (LGDs, e.g. Maremmas) are specialised breeds that developed over thousands of years in Eurasia to protect livestock from predators. They are successful in Australia, but rarely used here. This project will investigate the potential for wider use of LGDs to support regenerative farming. Our previous research shows that, as well as preventing attacks by predators, LGDs reduce activity of kangaroos and deer. Uncontrolled, these large herbivores frustrate attempts to manage total grazing pressure. We predict that strategic deployment of LGDs will control impacts of grazing and lead to improved health of farm landscapes. Our project aims to demonstrate these effects. Funded by: Illawong Fund - Donation ($290,000); University of Tasmania.
  • GRANT
    Ecology of the Tasmanian masked owl: informing conservation using acoustic-GPS tracking, rodenticide testing, and passive camera technologies
    1 Apr 2024 - 28 Feb 2025
    People funded by this grant:
    • Pay J,
    • Johnson C,
    • Service J
    Project Total: $5,000; The management of Tasmanias endangered masked owl subspecies currently struggles to accommodate these raptors. Scientific knowledge of Tasmanian masked owl (TMO) ecology lacks sufficient understanding of their calling behaviour and habitat selection, both of which may be vital to their effective conservation. Learning where and when TMOs vocalize will help surveyors find these owls, and identification of their habitat preferences will aid protection of these important resources. Acoustic-GPS tracking technology provides an opportunity to investigate both aims. By simultaneously GPS tracking and recording on-board audio, Acoustic+GPS tags can provide spatial observations of owl vocalizations. Analysing the vocal data will provide an acoustic home range estimate for the subspecies, as well as commentary on Passive Acoustic Monitorings efficacy for recording TMO calls. GPS data collected at high frequency will also allow examination of habitat selection surrounding five key owl behaviours: nesting, roosting, hunting, perching, and commuting. These insights will help management bodies better safeguard these distinctive owls in the Tasmanian landscape. Funded by: Tasmanian Land Conservancy - Bird Conservation Fund Scholarship ($5,000); University of Tasmania.
  • CONSULTANCY/CONTRACT RESEARCH
    Ecology of the Tasmanian masked owl
    1 Jan 2024 - 8 Mar 2028
    People funded by this grant:
    • Service J,
    • Pay J,
    • Johnson C
    Project Total: $185,447; The management of Tasmanias endangered masked owl subspecies currently struggles to accommodate these raptors. Scientific knowledge of Tasmanian masked owl (TMO) ecology lacks sufficient understanding of their calling behaviour, habitat selection, and exposure to anticoagulant rodenticides, all of which may be vital to their effective conservation. Learning where and when TMOs vocalize will help surveyors find these owls, and identification of their habitat preferences will aid protection of these important resources. Acoustic-GPS tracking technology provides an opportunity to investigate both aims. By simultaneously GPS tracking and recording on-board audio, acoustic+GPS tags will provide spatial observations of owl vocalizations. Analysing the vocal data will provide an acoustic home range estimate for the subspecies, as well as commentary on Passive Acoustic Monitorings efficacy for recording TMO calls. The GPS data collected at high frequency will also allow examination of habitat selection surrounding five key owl behaviours: nesting, roosting, hunting, perching, and commuting. Blood samples from tracked birds will provide a new assessment of rodenticide threats, and data for an updated Population Viability Analysis. All findings will help management bodies better safeguard these distinctive owls in the Tasmanian landscape. All ethical requirements and veterinary competencies will be met Funded by: MMG Australia LImited ($185,448); University of Tasmania.
  • GRANT
    Working with wind energy and forestry for effective eagle conservation
    23 Sep 2022 - 22 Sep 2027
    People funded by this grant:
    • Burridge C,
    • Johnson C,
    • Koch A,
    • Hawkins C,
    • Cameron E
    Project Total: $1,009,488; This project aims to ensure the conservation of the Endangered Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagle by resolving conflict with wind farms and forestry. It will do this by understanding the flight behaviour, movements and mortality of eagles, and the responses of breeding birds to forestry-related disturbance. The project will build new knowledge and institutional partnerships that will result in better planning to minimise impacts on the Tasmanian eagle population. This will secure the future of Australia's largest eagle, and improve the sustainability of renewable energy and forest industries in Tasmania. Findings from the project will be transferrable to similar problems in other places. Funded by: Australian Research Council - Grant-Linkage Projects ($719,068); Ark Energy Projects Pty Ltd ($81,000); Environmental Protection Agency Tasmania ($74,420); Pennicott Wilderness Journeys Pty Ltd ($60,000); ACEN Australia ($50,000); Woolnorth Wind Farm Holding Pty Ltd ($25,000); University of Tasmania ($100,989).
  • GRANT
    Analysis and modelling of feral horse demography in the Australian Alps
    Parks Victoria18 May 2020 - 21 May 2021
    People funded by this grant:
    • Cameron E,
    • Butler C,
    • Johnson C
    Project Total: $5,000; This project will use data previously collected over a three-year period to analyse the demography rates of two populations of feral horses in the Australian Alps and develop a working demographic model to estimate the effort required to stabilise population growth. Funded by: Parks Victoria - Scholarship - The Research Partners Program ($5,000); University of Tasmania.
  • GRANT
    Protecting the Tasmanian wilderness from an expanding deer population
    Australian Research Council17 Oct 2018 - 16 Oct 2023
    People funded by this grant:
    • Johnson C,
    • Bowman D,
    • Driessen M,
    • Forsyth D,
    • Perry G
    Project Total: $521,629; This projects aims to address the threats posed by deer to unique environments in Tasmania, especially in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. We will analyse the current and potential distribution of deer in Tasmania, describe their impacts on vegetation, and test how those impacts on vegetation interact with fire. We will use our data to develop options for management of deer to limit their environmental impacts, and especially to prevent future damage to sensitive environments. This will provide environmental and economic benefits by safeguarding ecosystems of high value. The project will also generate fundamental knowledge that will be of benefit to management of growing populations of deer in other parts of Australia. Funded by: Australian Research Council - Grant-Linkage Projects ($401,629); Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania ($120,000); University of Tasmania.
  • GRANT
    Measuring chronic stress in superb fairy-wrens of the Tasmanian Midlands
    Australian Wildlife Society4 Jul 2017 - 31 Jul 2018
    People funded by this grant:
    • Jones M,
    • Johnson C,
    • Bain G
    Project Total: $1,500; The project will involve the capture and blood sampling of superb fairy-wrens that occupy habitat with varying degrees of disturbance (e.g. noisy miner abundance) and fragmentation. Chronic stress in wrens will be measured in the laboratory via white blood cell ratios. Funded by: Australian Wildlife Society - Grant-University Students Scheme ($1,500); University of Tasmania.
  • GRANT
    ARC Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage
    1 Jul 2017 - 27 Jun 2026
    People funded by this grant:
    • Roberts R,
    • Brook B,
    • Johnson C
    Project Total: $33,750,000; Funded by: Australian Research Council - Grant-ARC Centres of Excellence; University of Wollongong; University of Tasmania ($840,000).
  • GRANT
    Is the Felixer cat trap safe for native carnivores?
    Experiment6 Oct 2016 - 18 Sep 2017
    People funded by this grant:
    • Jones M,
    • Johnson C,
    • McGregor H,
    • Hamer R
    Project Total: $5,000; Feral cats are a huge threat to our native wildlife and agriculture but are notoriously hard to control via shooting, trapping and baiting. We aim to test whether the Felixer, a new robotic grooming trap for feral cats, is safe for native cat-like animals such as the vulnerable spotted-tailed quoll. If it can avoid impacts on these native carnivores, this device could be a vital weapon in the fight against feral cats. Funded by: Experiment - Grant - Cats Challenge Grant ($5,000); University of Tasmania.
  • GRANT
    Restoring resilience in wildlife populations: devils, quolls and cats in the Tasmanian Midlands
    Ecological Society of Australia Limited27 Aug 2016 - 31 Dec 2017
    People funded by this grant:
    • Jones M,
    • Johnson C,
    • Hamer R
    Project Total: $6,000; Determining the processes driving the distribution, abundance and behaviour of mammalian carnivores in the Tasmanian Midlands, with a view to improving the effectiveness of habitat restoration projects being undertaken by our industry partners. Funded by: Ecological Society of Australia Limited - Award-Nature Conservancy Applied Conservation ($6,000); University of Tasmania.
  • GRANT
    Interactions among predators and impacts on prey on Maria Island: Devils, cats, possums and seabirds
    Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment1 Jul 2016 - 30 Jun 2019
    People funded by this grant:
    • Jones M,
    • Johnson C,
    • Scoleri V
    Project Total: $18,500; This project will use remote cameras, GPS tracking technology, and monitoring of seabird numbers and survival to study the effects of an increasing devil population on the population dynamics, behaviour, activity and resource-use of brushtail possums, feral cats, shearwaters and other small-medium sized mammal species. The aim of the project is to enhance knowledge of the role of Tasmanian Devils as ecosystem architects in protecting biodiversity and guiding conservation mitigation and restoration programs in Tasmania and mainland Australia. Funded by: Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment - Grant ($18,500); University of Tasmania.
  • GRANT
    Long-term ecological effects of Tasmanian devil decline
    Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment1 Jul 2016 - 31 Jul 2021
    People funded by this grant:
    • Jones M,
    • Johnson C,
    • Cunningham C
    Project Total: $18,750; This project investigates how the disease-induced decline of the Tasmanian devil affects prey behaviour and the composition of the mammal community. Funded by: Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment - Grant ($18,750); University of Tasmania.
  • GRANT
    Transformation of vegetation by big herbivores, from the Pleistocene to now
    Australian Research Council15 May 2016 - 31 Dec 2019
    People funded by this grant:
    • Johnson C,
    • Bowman D,
    • Higgins S
    Project Total: $387,527; The structure and distribution of vegetation types is determined not only by climate and soils, but also by the impacts of herbivory and fire as consumers of plant biomass. Recent research has shown how fire shapes the large-scale distribution of vegetation types, but we do not have an equivalent understanding of the effects of large ground-dwelling herbivores. We will test the effects of such animals on vegetation structure in the Pleistocene, when mega-herbivores were common, and today, and we will compare the impacts of fire and herbivory on the distribution of vegetation types. The project will provide a coherent understanding of the effects of extinct and extant large herbivores on ecosystems over large scales of space and time. Funded by: Australian Research Council - Grant-Discovery Projects ($379,400); Australian National University ($8,127); University of Tasmania.
  • GRANT
    Using a novel approach to assess microhabitat use under predation risk of declining ground-foraging birds in fragmented farmland
    British Ornithologist's Union1 Apr 2016 - 31 Mar 2017
    People funded by this grant:
    • Jones M,
    • Johnson C,
    • Bain G
    Project Total: $2,087; This is a field study to assess the influence of predation risk on microhabitat selection of ground-foraging woodland birds in the Tasmanian Midlands. Funded by: British Ornithologist's Union - Grant-Small Ornithological Research Grant ($2,087); University of Tasmania.
  • GRANT
    Using guardian dogs to protect threatened species
    Australian Research Council24 Mar 2016 - 23 Mar 2020
    People funded by this grant:
    • Johnson C,
    • Coulson G,
    • Magrath M
    Project Total: $390,000; Guardian dogs are ancient breeds of dogs that live with livestock and protect them from wild predators. This project asks whether they can also be used to reduce predation on threatened wildlife. The project will measure the impacts of guardian dogs on distribution and behaviour of feral cats and red foxes, and monitor trial reintroductions of eastern barred bandicoots in the presence of guardian dogs. It aims to provide an innovative solution to one of Australia's most significant conservation problems: the persistent failure of attempts to reintroduce threatened species to open landscapes with invasive predators. Funded by: Australian Research Council - Grant-Linkage Projects Round 1 ($300,000); Zoos Victoria ($90,000); University of Tasmania.
  • GRANT
    Restoring resilience in wildlife populations: devils, quolls and cats in the Tasmanian Midlands
    Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment1 Sep 2015 - 30 Jun 2018
    People funded by this grant:
    • Jones M,
    • Johnson C,
    • Hamer R
    Project Total: $17,000; Determining the processes driving the distribution, abundance and behaviour of mammalian carnivores in the Tasmanian Midlands, with a view to improving the effectiveness of habitat restoration projects being undertaken by our industry partners. Funded by: Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment - Grant ($17,000); University of Tasmania.
  • GRANT
    Ecological restoration for Critical Weight Range Mammals in Tasmania's Midlands
    Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment1 Aug 2015 - 30 Jun 2018
    People funded by this grant:
    • Johnson C,
    • Jones M,
    • Gardiner R
    Project Total: $15,400; The main aim of this project is to provide an animal centric approach for restoration efforts and conservation management for Tasmania's CWR mammals, by studying individual decision making across the landscape. Funded by: Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment - Grant ($15,400); University of Tasmania.
  • GRANT
    Landscape and conservation genetics of Tasmanian bettongs
    Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment1 Jul 2015 - 30 Jun 2018
    People funded by this grant:
    • Burridge C,
    • Jones M,
    • Johnson C,
    • Proft K
    Project Total: $11,650; Funded by: Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment - Grant ($11,650); University of Tasmania.
  • GRANT
    Restoring resilience in wildlife populations: devils, quolls and feral cats in the Tasmanian Midlands.
    Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales11 Jun 2015 - 30 Apr 2016
    People funded by this grant:
    • Jones M,
    • Johnson C,
    • Hamer R
    Project Total: $1,500; Aims 1. Determine the nature and relative importance of factors driving the distribution and abundance of large mammalian predators in the Tasmanian Midlands. 2. Investigate the fine-scale habitat use of each species, with a view to defining important habitat features and parameters for the conservation of native predators. 3. Examine the behavioural interactions between the four species of large mammalian predators present, in order to further understand how these may be affecting these species' habitat use and distribution. 4. Quantify the relative impact of these four predators on native prey, and provide an indication of whether this impact can be limited by habitat complexity. 5. Provide preliminary information on the impact of current predator control and management practices. Funded by: Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales - Grant-Ethel Mary Read ($1,500); University of Tasmania.
  • GRANT
    Arthur River long-term eco-system monitoring project
    University of Tasmania Foundation Inc1 Jan 2015 - 31 Dec 2015
    People funded by this grant:
    • Jones M,
    • Johnson C
    Project Total: $16,000; Funded by: University of Tasmania Foundation Inc - Donation; University of Tasmania ($16,000).
  • GRANT
    Threatened Species Recovery Hub
    Department of Environment and Energy (Cwth)19 Dec 2014 - 31 Dec 2021
    People funded by this grant:
    • Possingham H,
    • Johnson C
    Project Total: $29,980,000; Funded by: Department of Environment and Energy (Cwth) - Grant-National Environmental Science Prgm (NESP); University of Queensland; University of Tasmania ($112,948).