Role: Research Fellow
Research Focus
I am a research fellow in the Centre for Ecosystem Science at the University of New South Wales. I have a diverse professional background, including working in remote field environments for several years before returning to full-time academic research. I am an ecologist and conservation biologist with research projects focused on developing tools to monitor large-scale processes of biodiversity loss.
In my research I focus on delivering the science necessary to inform large (continental) scale conservation decisions. I work at the interface of conservation biology, geography and ecology, and have ongoing research projects focused on monitoring change in ecosystems and wildlife populations. I use a range of tools in my work, with particular focus on remote sensing and spatial analysis. Technical expertise includes spatial analysis (ArcGIS, R), remote sensing (primarily Landsat, MODIS), trend analysis (R, WinBUGS), spatial planning (Marxan), ecological field work and computer programming (Python, R). I routinely work in multi-disciplinary teams and have completed collaborative projects that involve authors and advisors from >10 countries.
I am a member of the IUCN Coastal Ecosystems and Red List of Ecosystems Thematic Groups (Commission on Ecosystem Management), and a member of the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems Committee for Scientific Standards.
Publications
Please see my Google Scholar page for PDFs, co-author list, article links and up-to-date citation metrics.
Published papers
1. Bland, L.M., Rowland, J., Regan, T.M., Keith, D.A., Murray, N.J., Lester, R.E., Linn, M., Rodriguez, J.P., Nicholson, E. (in press) Defining and diagnosing ecosystem collapse for risk assessment. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment. https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/fee.1747
2. Murray, N.J., Keith, D.A., Bland, L.M., Ferrari, R., Lyons, M.B., Lucas, R., Pettorelli, N., Nicholson, E. (in press) The role of remote sensing in structured assessments of ecosystem status. Science of the Total Environment. 619-620: 249-257. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.11.034
3. Murray, N.J., Studds, C.E., Fuller, R.A., Clemens, R.S.*, Dhanjal-Adams, K.L.*, Gosbell, K.B., Hassell, C.J., Iwamura, T., Melville, D., Minton, C.D.T., Riegen, A.C., Rogers, D.I., Woehler, E.J., Marra, P.P. (in press) The large-scale drivers of population declines in a long-distance migratory shorebird. Ecography. https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ecog.02957
4. Keith, D.A., Akçakaya, H.A., Murray, N.J. (in press) Towards robust predictions of risks to biodiversity: scaling range sizes to threats. Conservation Biology. https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/cobi.12988
5. Choi, C-Y., Jackson, M.V., Gallo-Cajiao, E. Murray, N.J., Clemens, R.S., Gan, X, Fuller, R.A. (in press) Biodiversity and China’s new Great Wall. Diversity and Distributions https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/10.1111/ddi.12675
6. Pettorelli,N., Schulte to Buhne, H., Tulloch, A., Dubois, G., Macinnis-Ng, C., Queirós, A.M., Keith,D.A., Wegmann, M., Schrodt, F., Stellmes,M., Sonnenschein, R., Geller,G., Roy, S., Somers, B., Murray, N.J., Bland, L., Geijzendorffer, I., Kerr, J.T., Broszeit, S., Leitão, P.J., Duncan, C., El Serafy, G., He, K.S., Blanchard, J.L., Lucas, R., Mairota, P., Webb, T.J., Nicholson, E. (2017) Satellite remote sensing of ecosystem functions: opportunities, challenges and way forward. Remote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation. https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/rse2.59
7. Studds, C.E., Kendall, B.E., Murray, N.J., Wilson, H.B., Rogers, D.I., Clemens, R.S.*, Gosbell, K.B., Hassell, C.J., Jessop, R., Melville, D., Milton, D.A., Minton, C.D.T., Possingham, H.P., Riegen, A.C., Straw, P. Woehler, E.J., Fuller, R.A. (2017) Reliance on the Yellow Sea predicts population collapse in a migratory flyway. Nature Communications. 8:14895 https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ncomms14895
8. Murray, N.J., Keith, D.A., Bland, L.M., Nicholson, E., Regan, T.M., Rodriguez, J.P., Bedward, M. (2017) The use of range size to assess risks to biodiversity from stochastic threats. Diversity and Distributions. 23(5):474-483 https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ddi.12533
9. Bland, L.M., Keith, D.A., Murray, N.J., Regan, T.M., Ferrari, R., Mouillot, D., Lester, R., Nicholson, E. (2017) Model-based ecosystem risk assessment under multiple threats: the case of Meso-American reefs. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences.284:1863 https://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2017.0660
10. Clemens, R.S.*, Rogers, D.I., Hansen, B.D., Gosbell, K.B., Minton, C.D.T., Straw, P., Bamford, M., Woehler, E.J., Milton, D.A., Weston, M.A., Venables, B., Weller, D., Hassell, C.J., Rutherford, B., Onton, K., Herrod, A., Studds, C.E., Choi, C−Y, Dhanjal-Adams, K.L.*, Murray, N.J., Skilleter, G.A., Fuller, R.A. (2016) Continental-scale decreases in shorebird populations in Australia. Emu, 116(2):119-135. https://dx.doi.org/10.1071/mu15056
11. Dhanjal-Adams, K.L.*, Hanson, J.O.*, Murray, N.J., Phinn, S.R., Wingate, V.R.*, Mustin, K., Lee, J.R.*, Allan, J.R.*, Cappadonna, J.L.*, Studds, C.E., Clemens, R.S.*, Roelfsema, C.M., Fuller, R.A. (2016) Distribution, extent and protection of intertidal habitats in Australia. Emu, 116(2):208-214. https://doi.org/10.1071/MU15046
12. Murray, N.J., Ma, Z. & Fuller, R.A. (2015) Tidal flats of the Yellow Sea: A review of ecosystem status and anthropogenic threats. Austral Ecology, 40(4):472-481. https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/aec.12211
13. Rodriguez, J.P., Keith, D.A., Rodriguez-Clark, K., Murray, N.J., Nicholson, E., Regan, T., Miller, R., Bland, L.M. Barrow, E., Boe, K., Brooks, T., Oliviera-Miranda, M.A., Spalding, M. & Wit, P. (2015) A practical guide to the application of the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems criteria. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 370:20140003. https://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2014.0003
14. Murray, N.J., & Fuller, R.A. (2015) Protecting habitat for migratory shorebirds in East Asia. Journal of Ornithology, 156: S217-S225. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10336-015-1225-2
15. Tulloch, V.J.*, Possingham, H.P., Visconti, P., Halpern, B., Watson, J., Evans, M.*, Auerbach, N.A.*, Barnes, M.*, Beger, M., Chadès, I., Giakoumi, S., McDonald-Madden, E., Murray, N.J., Ringma, J.* & Tulloch, A. (2015) Why do we map threats? Linking threat mapping with actions to make efficient decisions for biodiversity conservation. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 13(2): 267-272. https://dx.doi.org/10.1890/140022 ** Highly cited paper: Top 1% of Environment/Ecology in ISI Web of Science.
16. Murray, N.J., Clemens, R.*, Phinn, S.R., Possingham, H.P. & Fuller, R.A. (2015) Threats to the Yellow Sea's Tidal Wetlands. Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America, 96:346–348.
17. Keith, D.A., Rodriguez, J.P., Brooks, T.M., Burgman, M.A., Barrow, E.G., Boe, K., Comer, P.J., Franklin, J., Link, J., McCarthy, M.A., Miller, R.M., Murray, N.J., Nel, J.L., Nicholson, E., Oliviera-Miranda, M.A., Regan, T.A., Rodriguez-Clark, K.M., Rouget, M, & Spalding, M (2015) The IUCN Red List of Ecosystems: motivations, challenges and applications. Conservation Letters, 8:214-226. https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/conl.12167
18. Murray, N.J., Clemens, R.*, Phinn, S.R., Possingham, H.P. & Fuller, R.A. (2014) Tracking the rapid loss of tidal wetlands in the Yellow Sea. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 12:267-272. https://dx.doi.org/10.1890/130260 ** Included in top 10 most cited papers in FREE over the past 5 years.
19. Iwamura, T.*, Possingham, H. P., Chades, I., Minton, C., Murray, N.J., Rogers, D., Treml, E. & Fuller, R. A. (2013) Migratory connectivity magnifies the consequences of habitat loss from sea-level rise for shorebird populations. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 280: 20130325. https://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2013.0325
20. Murray, N.J., Phinn, S. R., Clemens, R. S.*, Roelfsema, C. M. & Fuller, R. A. (2012) Continental scale mapping of tidal flats across East Asia using the Landsat Archive. Remote Sensing, 4, 3417-3426. https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/rs4113417
21. Murray, N.J. & Fuller, R.A. (2012) Coordinated effort to maintain migration network. Oryx, 46, 479-48.
22. Murray, N.J. & Shaw, P.P. (2010) Foraging behaviour and success of the Australian White Ibis Threskiornis molucca at an urban environment. Notornis, 56(4): 201–205.
23. Murray, N.J. & Trebilco, R.T. (2008) An influx of Australian Shelduck Tadorna tadornoides on Macquarie Island. Australian Field Ornithology, 25(1): 40 -41.
24. Murray, N.J. & Shaw, P.P. (2006) Breeding biology of the Australian White Ibis Threskiornis molucca at an urban breeding colony, South-east Queensland. Corella, 32(2): 41-45.
Book chapters
25. Murray, N.J. (in press) The role of remote sensing in the conservation of East Asia’s coastal wetlands. In: Satellite Remote Sensing for Conservation Action – Case Studies from Aquatic and Terrestrial Ecosystems. Cambridge University Press. (Invited submission, publication due late 2017).
Software
26. Murray, N.J., Keith, D.A., Simpson, D., Wilshire, J.H.*, Lucas, R.M. (2017) remap: The remote sensing ecosystem monitoring and assessment pipeline. https://remap-app.org https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1045577 * used in >100 countries by >5000 users since its launch in December 2017.
27. Lee, C., Murray N.J. (2017) Redlistr: Tools for the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems and Species. R package version 0.1.0 . https://cran.r-project.org/package=redlistr * 669 downloads (04/01/2018)
28. Cornwell W., Lyons M., Murray N.J. (2016) Earthtones: derive a colour palette from a particular location on Earth. R package version 0.1.0 . https://cran.r-project.org/package=earthtones *2539 downloads (04/01/2018)
Datasets
29. Keith, D.A., Akçakaya, H.A., Murray, N.J. (2017) Supplementary material for: Towards robust predictions of risks to biodiversity: scaling range sizes to threats. Figshare. https://dx.doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.5139505
30. Murray, N.J., Keith, D.A., Bland, L.M., Nicholson, E., Regan, T.M., Rodriguez, J.P., Bedward, M. (2017) Simulated ecosystem distributions from: The use of range size to assess risks to biodiversity from stochastic threats. Figshare. https://dx.doi.org/10.6084/m9.fishare.4648939.v1
31. Murray, N.J. (2017) Global 10 x 10-km grids suitable for use in IUCN Red List of Ecosystems assessments. Figshare. https://dx.doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.4653439
32. Dhanjal-Adams, K. L.*, Hanson, J. O.*, Murray, N.J., Phinn, S. R., Wingate, V. R.*, Mustin, K., Lee, J.R.*, Allan, J.R.*, Cappadonna, J. L.*, Studds, C. E., Clemens, R. S.*, Roelfsema, C. M., Fuller R. A. (2015) Mapped distribution of intertidal habitats in Australia between 1999 and 2014. Pangaea. https://dx.doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.845726
33. Murray, N.J., Wingate, V.R. & Fuller, R.A. (2014) Mapped distribution of tidal flats across China, Manchuria and Korea (1952-1964). Pangaea. https://dx.doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.837090
Books / Commissioned Reports / Consultancies (selected)
34. Murray, N.J., Lee, C.K.F., Ruiz Garcia, V., Serpollier, C. & Keith, D.A. (2018) A review of data to support a global IUCN Red List of Terrestrial Ecosystems. Unpublished report for the IUCN. Gland, Switzerland.
35. Bland, L.M., Keith, D.A., Miller, R.M., Murray, N.J., & Rodriguez, J.P. (2017) Guidelines for the application of IUCN Red List of Ecosystems Categories and Criteria, Version 1.1 IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. ISBN: 978-2-8317-1769-2 * Authors are listed in alphabetical order. (translated into Spanish and French).
36. Murray, N.J., Miller, R.M., Zager, I., Keith, D.A., Bland, L.M., Esteves, R., Oliveira-Miranda, M.A., Rodríguez, J.P. (2016) Introduction to the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems Categories and Criteria: course manual. Download at www.iucnrle.org.
37. MacKinnon, J., Verkuil, Y. I. & Murray, N.J. (2012) IUCN situation analysis on East and Southeast Asian intertidal habitats, with particular reference to the Yellow Sea (including the Bohai Sea). IUCN, Gland, Switzerland. ISBN: 978-2-8317-1255-0. (translated into Korean, Russian and Mandarin).
38. Carr, B, Sims-Castley, R & Murray, N.J. (2011) Substantial remnants and coastal wetlands mapping review. Unpublished report for Gold Coast City Council. Gold Coast, Australia.
39. Murray, N.J. (2010) Macquarie Island Pest Eradication: Impacts of helicopter over-flights of King Penguins. Unpublished report for Tasmanian National Parks and Wildlife Service. Hobart, Australia.
40. Dreis, B., Wilson, T., Rowan, H & Murray, N.J (2009) The Burleigh to Springbrook Bioregional Corridor Project. Unpublished report for Gold Coast City Council. Brisbane, Australia. ** Received certificate of merit in Environment Planning Conservation category at the Planning Institute of Australia awards 2010.
41. Murray, N.J & Way, S.L (2008) Status and Conservation of Albatrosses and Giant-Petrels on Macquarie Island: Report on the 2007/2008 field season. Unpublished report for Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries and Water. Hobart, Australia.
42. Trebilco, R.T & Murray, N.J (2007) Status and Conservation of Albatrosses and Giant-Petrels on Macquarie Island: Report on the 2006/2007 field season. Unpublished report for Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries and Water. Hobart, Australia.
Magazines and book reviews
Murray N.J. (2015) The tragedy of disappearing tidal flats. Australasian Science. 36(1): 48.
Dhanjal-Adams K.L.*, Murray, N.J. & Fuller, R.A. (2015) Mapping intertidal habitats and their protection in Australia. Wetlands Australia. 27: 59.
Murray N.J. (2014) Between a rock and a hard place: the tragedy of disappearing tidal flats. Decision Point.
Murray N.J. (2011) Dark days for summer birds. Wildlife Australia.
Murray N.J. (2008) Ten per cent: Albatrosses and the importance of Macquarie Island. Wildlife Australia.
Murray N.J. (2008) Book review - Albatross: Their World, Their Ways. Wildlife Australia.
Murray N.J. (2005) Book review - Herons, Egrets and Bitterns of Australia. Corella. 29, 74.
Popular science
Migrating shorebirds in danger, due to disappearing mudflats by Elizabeth Pennisi, Science (2017)
Hostile Shores by Christina Larson, Science (2016)
China’s new Great Wall is not for the birds Dispatch, Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment (2015)
Losing Tidal Flats Around the Yellow Sea NASA News (2014)
News
Flying for their lives by Ann Jones, ABC (2016)
Australia’s migratory shorebirds at risk from Asia’s urban sprawl Sydney Morning Herald (2015)
Australian migratory bird numbers in freefall due to destruction of east Asia tidal flats ABC News (2015)
Asian habitat loss spells trouble for Aussie migratory birds The Rakyat Post, (2015)
Migratory birds' fuelling station empty Phys.org (2015)
Chinese, Korean coastal development closes stopover for Australian migratory birds 9news (2015)
Australia migratory bird levels plunge from Asia development News24, (2015)
El desarrollo urbano en Asia puede llevar a la extinción de aves migratorias diariovasco.com (2015)
Eureka 2015: Australia's top science prizes announced Australian Geographic (2015)
Australia’s top science prizes for 2015 Business Insider (2015)
Radio & TV
Flying for your life: Birds without borders ABC Radio National (2016)
Flying for your life: An unlikely saviour ABC Radio National (2016)
Voice FM, live radio interview (2015)
ABC Darwin Radio, 5 minute radio interview (2015)
Totally Wild, TV with live animal handling (2005)
Contact details
Dr Nicholas Murray
Centre for Ecosystem Science
UNSW AUSTRALIA
UNSW SYDNEY NSW 2052 AUSTRALIA
T: +61 414 815 788
