Aussie scientist heads conservation effort

Australian scientist Hugh Possingham has been appointed chief scientist of the world's largest conservation group, the Nature Conservancy.

Professor Possingham will lead the work of more than 600 scientists involved in conservation work in 69 countries.

The Adelaide-born professor - an Australian Research Council Laureate Fellow and head of the University of Queensland's Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science - says he's humbled to join the US-based charitable organisation.