Diane Jarvis

Profile

I am an environmental economist with an emerging record of research accomplishments in the study of social and economic aspects of environmental/natural resource management. In my research I apply economic analysis skills to improve knowledge and inform policy, focusing primarily on investigating and evaluating trade-offs and co-benefits arising from natural resource use/environmental conservation and economic development within northern Australia, involving cross-cultural, multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional collaborations.

My research interests lie in improving our understanding of the economic and social values that are derived from the environment, then using this understanding to inform policy relating to environmental conservation and natural resource management. This involves taking an innovative and solution-focused approach to a range of issues relevant to the development of tropical landscapes in northern Australia and more broadly.

My work reflects the complex and reciprocal nature of the people-environment relationship, including exploring benefits the natural environment (terrestrial and marine) provides to human wellbeing (ecosystem services), and the (positive and negative) impacts that human activity has on the natural environment, in both Indigenous and non-Indigenous contexts.

Research Interests

• Environmental, economic and social contributors to wellbeing
• Environmental economic accounting
• Improving understanding of complex nature-human systems within northern Australia, in both Indigenous and non-Indigenous contexts

Ongoing Research Projects

I am currently working with colleagues at JCU, at CSIRO and with other external partners on research focused around environmental and natural resource economics within Northern Australia. Current significant projects include:

• Blue Carbon Conservation, Restoration and Accounting Program is funded by DCCEEW to test and demonstrate methods for accounting for the social, cultural, economic, and ecological (incl biodiversity) benefits arising from wetland restoration projects. JCU are partnering with Greening Australia, funded by DCCEEW, to restore the wetlands at Mungalla Stations (see https://www.greeningaustralia.org.au/projects/working-on-country-at-mungalla-station/) and I am leading the team (separately funded by DCCEEW) to develop and implement methods for accounting for the cultural benefits arising to the Nywaigi Traditional Owners of the land as a result of this restoration.
• Project SEABORNE (Sustainable usE And Benefits fOR marinE) funded by Great Barrier Reef Foundation - Reef Trust Partnership. Through co-design with the Great Barrier Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA), the collaborative CSIRO, JCU and CQU team will analyse the extent and quality of existing data regarding the use, users and benefits of the Reef and identify key gaps in data, and contribute towards the supply of critical data for the sustainable use of the Reef into the future. https://research.csiro.au/seaborne/
• National Environmental Science Program (NESP) - Resilient Landscapes Hub Project 3.17. Improving environmental outcomes on conserved and managed lands. Working with Land for Wildlife South East Queensland and Logan, Gold Coast, Moreton Bay and Scenic Rim Regional Councils, this research is designing and deploying interventions to support landholders to manage their land consistent with OECM criteria and track the outcomes of this management over time to demonstrate enduring biodiversity outcomes. If this project yields positive results, these interventions may be added to broader private-land conservation programs. For more info see https://nesplandscapes.edu.au/projects/nesp-rlh/conserved-and-managed-lands/
• Water Security for Northern Australia - Gilbert Catchment Project 1.4 - funded by CRC for Developing Northern Australia. This project focuses on the currently unutilised water allocation for Indigenous use, and address two critical needs: to map out Indigenous cultural areas in the entire catchment; and to develop a plan of enterprise development opportunities for water use that is prosperous for groups in the region. For more information see CRCNA Water Security for Northern Australia

Completed Research Projects

Recently completed significant research project on which I have participated include:

• Regional Ecosystems Accounting Pilot: Research on First Nations perspectives on ecosystem accounting in the `Ecosystem Accounting Pilots for Agricultural and Mixed-Use Landscapes project, partnering with CSIRO and funded by DCCEEW
• National Environmental Science Program (NESP) - Marine and Coastal Hub: Project 2.5: Evaluation of recreational fishing behaviour, use, values and motivations that relate to compliance. For more information see https://www.nespmarinecoastal.edu.au/project-2-5/
• Evaluation of the Indigenous Protected Areas Program - The Indigenous Protected Areas (IPA) Program has been helping Indigenous communities voluntarily dedicate their land or sea country as IPAs since 1997. The National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) and the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE) are overseeing an evaluation of the IPA Program, which is being led by Ninti One and supporting by CSIRO and JCU. The evaluation will assess the extent to which program objectives and associated environmental, cultural, social and economic outcomes are being achieved. It will also guide continuous improvement in future program design. More information can be found at https://www.niaa.gov.au/indigenous-affairs/environment/indigenous-protected-areas-ipas
• National Environmental Science Program (NESP) - Marine and Coastal Hub: Project 1.17 Scoping Study: Research needs for a national approach to socio-economic values of the marine environment https://www.nespmarinecoastal.edu.au/project-1-17-2/
• National Environmental Science Program (NESP) - Northern Australia Environmental Resources Hub: Synthesis Project: Cultural Connections. This project investigates how to best acknowledge Indigenous cultural connections within an ecosystem services accounting framework.https://www.nespnorthern.edu.au/projects/nesp/cultural-connections/
• Building a policy instrument impact model for the Reef (RP225) project is funded through the Queensland Government’s Reef Water Quality Program and delivered by Queensland University of Technology in partnership with CSIRO, James Cook University, the University of Canberra, the University of NSW, the University of Melbourne and Natural Decisions. More information can be found at https://research.qut.edu.au/environment/wp-content/uploads/sites/341/2021/02/CE-RP225-flyer-final-v2.pdf
• National Environmental Science Program (NESP) - Northern Australia Environmental Resources Hub: Project 5.3 Multiple benefits and knowledge systems of Indigenous Land Management Programs (ILMPs) - Economic perspective. More information can be found at http://www.nespnorthern.edu.au/projects/nesp/multiple-benefits-knowledge-systems-ilmps/