Paul Nelson
- paul.nelson@jcu.edu.au
- Associate Professor - Soil Science
Projects
21
Publications
125
Awards
1
Contact Details
- +61 7 4232 1375
- paul.nelson@jcu.edu.au
-
JCU Nguma-bada campus, Cairns
MacGregor Road, Smithfield Qld 4878, Australia
Biography
Paul Nelson is an agricultural/environmental scientist with research, education and leadership experience in industry, government and university sectors. His current research focuses on how human management and natural processes influence the sustainability and environmental impact of agriculture, including productivity, soil condition, water quality, carbon and nutrient cycling, greenhouse gas emissions, and other biogeochemical processes.
Prior to joining James Cook University, Paul led the Agronomy program of the Papua New Guinea Oil Palm Research Association. He has also worked with CSIRO, the Bureau of Sugar Experiment Stations, the Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Mines, the Australian Centre for Water Treatment and Water Quality Research, the French National Agricultural Research Institute (INRA) and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences.
His recently published synthesis 'Sustainable management of soil in tropical agriculture' (2023, in Jayaraman, Dalal & Lal (Eds.) Sustainable Soil Management – Beyond Food Production. Cambridge Scholars Publishing) is available on request.
Research
Research Interests
- Carbon sequestration in agricultural soils, particularly through enhanced mineral weathering
- Reducing nutrient and contaminant export from agriculture and aquaculture using novel techniques such as denitrifying bioreactors
- Understanding and managing effects of soil physicochemical conditions on soil biological health
- Modelling and managing water and nutrient cycling in tropical agriculture and aquaculture
Projects
Teaching
Teaching Interests
Soil matters: it is the most biologically diverse and active part of the earth, where minerals, water, air and living things interact in complex and fascinating ways that are critical for human well-being and ecosystem functioning. Having a good grasp of soil properties and processes is invaluable for graduates in environmental science and management.
Research Advisor Accreditation
Advisor Type
Mentor
Research Advisor Accreditation
Role
Chair; Independent Academic