An overview of decision theory used to pose and solve problems in nature conservation will be presented. Tools such as simulated annealing, classical optimal control and stochastic dynamic programming have been used and will be discussed.

Hugh, born in 1962, completed Applied Mathematics Honours at The University of Adelaide in 1984. After attaining a Rhodes Scholarship in 1984 Hugh completed his D.Phil at Oxford University in 1987. Postdoctoral research periods followed at Stanford University and the Australian National University (as a QEII Fellow). In 1991 he took a Lectureship, then Senior Lectureship, in Applied Mathematics at The University of Adelaide. In 1995 he was appointed Foundation Chair and Professor of the Department of Environmental Science at the Roseworthy campus of The University of Adelaide. In July 2000 Hugh took up a joint Professorship between the Departments of Zoology & Entomology, and Mathematics at The University of Queensland. In February 2001 The Ecology Centre was established with Hugh as Director and since then he was awarded an ARC Professorial fellowship. From 2003-2007 Hugh is an ARC Federation Fellow.