Dr Daniel Harris
Dr

Daniel Harris

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 56084

Background

My research career began when I recognised that the marine world has a history and pattern that can explain the past, understand the present, and predict the future. I started studying beaches and coral reefs since they are iconic and complex systems where marine, ecological, geological and human processes interact to produce the ecosystems we see today. My goal, and that of my lab (The BeachLab), is to develop tools, gather data, and provide analyses to help coastlines and coral reefs navigate a warmer world. Our projects are focused on fundamental research questions about how coasts and coral reefs change through time. We also have applied research objectives to support the future management of coastal and coral reef systems.

I am now a teacher and researcher in Geography at the School of the Environment at UQ. Prior to my appointment at UQ, I was a teacher and researcher at The University of Sydney (where I completed my Undergraduate and PhD degrees) and in a combined post at The University of Bremen (MARUM) and the Leibniz Center for Tropical Marine Ecology (ZMT). Perhaps equally importantly I grew up on the east coast of Australia and I have a personal and professional passion for beaches, coral reefs, surf, and the ocean.

Availability

Dr Daniel Harris is:
Available for supervision

Fields of research

Climate change impacts and adaptation Earth Sciences Environmental Sciences Geology Marine geoscience Oceanography Physical oceanography

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, University of Sydney

Research interests

  • Morphodynamics

    My research broadly fits into the topic of morphodynamics, which examines the mutual interactions between physical processes (i.e. waves, tides, and currents) and morphology of coastal systems (e.g. beaches and coral reefs). More simply I study coastal change and the processes driving such change, and attempt to establish conceptual and numerical models that describe coastal and coral reef change.

  • Coral Reefs

    The effects of hydrodynamics and sea level changes on coral reef geomorphology and ecology is the primary focus of my research. This includes a wide range of topics such as: sea level change and geological development of coral reefs, surf zone science, and linking hydrodynamic forcing to changes in ecological assemblages. This work is conducted in collaboration with a wide range of reef ecologists, geologists, and coastal scientists. The aim of this work is to build a sophisticated understanding of coral reef change by incorporating methods from multiple disciplines and ultimately improve our knowledge of coral reef evolution on scales relevant to planners and managers.

  • Coral reefs and coastal protection

    The observed worldwide degradation of reef building corals has led to concerns regarding the provision of ecosystem services provided by coral reefs in the future. Coastal protection is one of the most important services provided by coral reefs and yet is poorly studied. This work attempts to quantify the wave climates and coastal change on tropical coastlines for future scenarios of coral reef health.

  • Beach change and surf zone processes

    This area focuses on collecting and assessing surf zone wave data in order to test the prevailing models that describe surf zone processes in coral reefs and beaches. There are research projects almost constantly available in this area of study looking at coral reefs and the beaches on the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.

Search Professor Daniel Harris’s works on UQ eSpace

56 works between 1945 and 2025
All (56) Journal Article (44) Book Chapter (1) Conference Publication (6) Other Outputs (5)

21 - 40 of 56 works

2021

Journal Article

Examining the impact of the Great Barrier Reef on tsunami propagation using numerical simulations

Thran, Mandi C., Brune, Sascha, Webster, Jody M., Dominey-Howes, Dale and Harris, Daniel (2021). Examining the impact of the Great Barrier Reef on tsunami propagation using numerical simulations. Natural Hazards, 108 (1), 347-388. doi: 10.1007/s11069-021-04686-w

Examining the impact of the Great Barrier Reef on tsunami propagation using numerical simulations

2021

Other Outputs

Australian shoreline retreat dataset for Bayesian network analysis

Mao, Yongjing and Harris, Daniel (2021). Australian shoreline retreat dataset for Bayesian network analysis. The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.14264/fe5a28b

Australian shoreline retreat dataset for Bayesian network analysis

2021

Other Outputs

Efficient measurement of large-scale decadal shoreline change with increased accuracy in tide-dominated coastal environments with Google Earth Engine

Mao, Yongjing and Harris, Daniel (2021). Efficient measurement of large-scale decadal shoreline change with increased accuracy in tide-dominated coastal environments with Google Earth Engine. The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/2d07ef8

Efficient measurement of large-scale decadal shoreline change with increased accuracy in tide-dominated coastal environments with Google Earth Engine

2020

Journal Article

Best‐practice forestry management delivers diminishing returns for coral reefs with increased land‐clearing

Wenger, Amelia S., Harris, Daniel, Weber, Samuel, Vaghi, Ferguson, Nand, Yashika, Naisilisili, Waisea, Hughes, Alec, Delevaux, Jade, Klein, Carissa J., Watson, James, Mumby, Peter J. and Jupiter, Stacy D. (2020). Best‐practice forestry management delivers diminishing returns for coral reefs with increased land‐clearing. Journal of Applied Ecology, 57 (12) 1365-2664.13743, 2381-2392. doi: 10.1111/1365-2664.13743

Best‐practice forestry management delivers diminishing returns for coral reefs with increased land‐clearing

2020

Journal Article

Multi-scale morphodynamics of an estuarine beach adjacent to a flood-tide delta: assessing decadal scale erosion

Harris, Daniel L., Vila-Concejo, Ana, Austin, Timothy and Benavente, Javier (2020). Multi-scale morphodynamics of an estuarine beach adjacent to a flood-tide delta: assessing decadal scale erosion. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 241 106759, 106759. doi: 10.1016/j.ecss.2020.106759

Multi-scale morphodynamics of an estuarine beach adjacent to a flood-tide delta: assessing decadal scale erosion

2020

Journal Article

A review of wave climate trends for the eastern coast of Queensland, Australia, from 1976-2018

Cowley, Dylan and Harris, Daniel L. (2020). A review of wave climate trends for the eastern coast of Queensland, Australia, from 1976-2018. Journal of Coastal Research, 95 (sp1), 1401-1405. doi: 10.2112/SI95-270.1

A review of wave climate trends for the eastern coast of Queensland, Australia, from 1976-2018

2020

Journal Article

Mapping the world's coral reefs using a global multiscale earth observation framework

Lyons, Mitchell B., Roelfsema, Chris M., Kennedy, Emma V., Kovacs, Eva M., Borrego-Acevedo, Rodney, Markey, Kathryn, Roe, Meredith, Yuwono, Doddy M., Harris, Daniel L., Phinn, Stuart R., Asner, Gregory P., Li, Jiwei, Knapp, David E., Fabina, Nicholas S., Larsen, Kirk, Traganos, Dimosthenis and Murray, Nicholas J. (2020). Mapping the world's coral reefs using a global multiscale earth observation framework. Remote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation, 6 (4) rse2.157, 557-568. doi: 10.1002/rse2.157

Mapping the world's coral reefs using a global multiscale earth observation framework

2020

Journal Article

Community composition predicts photogrammetry-based structural complexity on coral reefs

Carlot, J., Rovère, A., Casella, E., Harris, D., Grellet-Muñoz, C., Chancerelle, Y., Dormy, E., Hedouin, L. and Parravicini, V. (2020). Community composition predicts photogrammetry-based structural complexity on coral reefs. Coral Reefs, 39 (4), 967-975. doi: 10.1007/s00338-020-01916-8

Community composition predicts photogrammetry-based structural complexity on coral reefs

2020

Journal Article

Conservation value of a subtropical reef in south-eastern Queensland, Australia, highlighted by citizen-science efforts

Grol, Monique G. G., Vercelloni, Julie, Kenyon, Tania M., Bayraktarov, Elisa, van den Berg, Cedric P., Harris, Daniel, Loder, Jennifer A., Mihaljević, Morana, Rowland, Phebe I. and Roelfsema, Chris M. (2020). Conservation value of a subtropical reef in south-eastern Queensland, Australia, highlighted by citizen-science efforts. Marine and Freshwater Research, 72 (1), 1-13. doi: 10.1071/mf19170

Conservation value of a subtropical reef in south-eastern Queensland, Australia, highlighted by citizen-science efforts

2019

Journal Article

A novel machine learning algorithm for tracking remotely sensed waves in the surf zone

Stringari, C. E., Harris, D. L. and Power, H. E. (2019). A novel machine learning algorithm for tracking remotely sensed waves in the surf zone. Coastal Engineering, 147, 149-158. doi: 10.1016/j.coastaleng.2019.02.002

A novel machine learning algorithm for tracking remotely sensed waves in the surf zone

2018

Journal Article

Variability of depth-limited waves in coral reef surf zones

Harris, Daniel L., Power, Hannah E., Kinsela, Michael A., Webster, Jody M. and Vila-Concejo, Ana (2018). Variability of depth-limited waves in coral reef surf zones. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 211, 36-44. doi: 10.1016/j.ecss.2018.06.010

Variability of depth-limited waves in coral reef surf zones

2018

Journal Article

Reply to Hearty and Tormey: Use the scientific method to test geologic hypotheses, because rocks do not whisper

Rovere, Alessio, Casella, Elisa, Harris, Daniel L, Lorscheid, Thomas, Nandasena, Napayalage A. K., Dyer, Blake, Sandstrom, Michael R., Stocchi, Paolo, D'Andrea, William J. and Raymo, Maureen E. (2018). Reply to Hearty and Tormey: Use the scientific method to test geologic hypotheses, because rocks do not whisper. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 115 (13), E2904-E2905. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1800534115

Reply to Hearty and Tormey: Use the scientific method to test geologic hypotheses, because rocks do not whisper

2018

Journal Article

Coral reef structural complexity provides important coastal protection from waves under rising sea levels

Harris, Daniel L., Rovere, Alessio, Casella, Elisa, Power, Hannah, Canavesio, Remy, Collin, Antoine, Pomeroy, Andrew, Webster, Jody M. and Parravicini, Valeriano (2018). Coral reef structural complexity provides important coastal protection from waves under rising sea levels. Science Advances, 4 (2) eaao4350, eaao4350. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.aao4350

Coral reef structural complexity provides important coastal protection from waves under rising sea levels

2018

Journal Article

Boulder emplacement and remobilisation by cyclone and submarine landslide tsunami waves near Suva City, Fiji

Lau, A. Y. Annie, Terry, James P., Ziegler, Alan, Pratap, Arti and Harris, Daniel (2018). Boulder emplacement and remobilisation by cyclone and submarine landslide tsunami waves near Suva City, Fiji. Sedimentary Geology, 364, 242-257. doi: 10.1016/j.sedgeo.2017.12.017

Boulder emplacement and remobilisation by cyclone and submarine landslide tsunami waves near Suva City, Fiji

2017

Journal Article

An early colonisation pathway into northwest Australia 70-60,000 years ago

Norman, Kasih, Inglis, Josha, Clarkson, Chris, Faith, J. Tyler, Shulmeister, James and Harris, Daniel (2017). An early colonisation pathway into northwest Australia 70-60,000 years ago. Quaternary Science Reviews, 180, 229-239. doi: 10.1016/j.quascirev.2017.11.023

An early colonisation pathway into northwest Australia 70-60,000 years ago

2017

Journal Article

Giant boulders and Last Interglacial storm intensity in the North Atlantic

Rovere, Alessio, Casella, Elisa, Harris, Daniel L., Lorscheid, Thomas, Nandasena, Napayalage A. K., Dyer, Blake, Sandstrom, Michael R., Stocchi, Paolo, D'Andrea, William J. and Raymo, Maureen E. (2017). Giant boulders and Last Interglacial storm intensity in the North Atlantic. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 114 (46), 12144-12149. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1712433114

Giant boulders and Last Interglacial storm intensity in the North Atlantic

2017

Journal Article

Mg/Ca and Sr/Ca as novel geochemical proxies for understanding sediment transport processes within coral reefs

Gacutan, J., Vila-Concejo, A., Nothdurft, L. D., Fellowes, T. E., Cathey, H. E., Opdyke, B. N., Harris, D. L., Hamylton, S., Carvalho, R. C., Byrne, M. and Webster, J. M. (2017). Mg/Ca and Sr/Ca as novel geochemical proxies for understanding sediment transport processes within coral reefs. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 197, 54-68. doi: 10.1016/j.ecss.2017.08.010

Mg/Ca and Sr/Ca as novel geochemical proxies for understanding sediment transport processes within coral reefs

2017

Journal Article

Patterns of sediment transport using foraminifera tracers across sand aprons on the Great Barrier Reef

Fellowes, Thomas E., Gacutan, Jordan, Harris, Daniel L., Vila-Concejo, Ana, Webster, Jody M. and Byrne, Maria (2017). Patterns of sediment transport using foraminifera tracers across sand aprons on the Great Barrier Reef. Journal of Coastal Research, 33 (4), 864-873. doi: 10.2112/JCOASTRES-D-16-00082.1

Patterns of sediment transport using foraminifera tracers across sand aprons on the Great Barrier Reef

2017

Journal Article

Mapping coral reefs using consumer-grade drones and structure from motion photogrammetry techniques

Casella, Elisa, Collin, Antoine, Harris, Daniel, Ferse, Sebastian, Bejarano, Sonia, Parravicini, Valeriano, Hench, James L. and Rovere, Alessio (2017). Mapping coral reefs using consumer-grade drones and structure from motion photogrammetry techniques. Coral Reefs, 36 (1), 269-275. doi: 10.1007/s00338-016-1522-0

Mapping coral reefs using consumer-grade drones and structure from motion photogrammetry techniques

2017

Conference Publication

Quantifying the fraction of broken waves on a high energy east coast Australian beach

Stringari, Caio E., Harris, Daniel L. and Power, Hannah E. (2017). Quantifying the fraction of broken waves on a high energy east coast Australian beach. Australasian Coasts and Ports 2017 Conference, Cairns, QLD Australia, 21-23 June 2017. Barton, ACT Australia: Engineers Australia, PIANC Australia and Institute of Professional Engineers New Zealand.

Quantifying the fraction of broken waves on a high energy east coast Australian beach

Current funding

  • 2024 - 2025
    Future trajectories coral reef islands - integrating sediment budgets and reef island models.
    Universities Australia - Germany Joint Research Co-operation Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2025
    Waves through the Great Barrier Reef:Coastal wave climate and hazards in Queensland tropics (RICF funding administered by AIMS)
    Australian Institute of Marine Science
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2025
    RRAP-RS-01-V1 Rubble location, prediction and sub-program management (GBRF funding administered by AIMS)
    Australian Institute of Marine Science
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2025
    RRAP-RS-02-V1 Approaches to stabilisation
    Australian Institute of Marine Science
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2025
    RRAP-RS-03-V1 Synthesis and Tools Rubble Stabilisation
    Australian Institute of Marine Science
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2019 - 2021
    How do tropical shorelines change if coral reefs decline and sea levels rise?
    UQ Early Career Researcher
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2020
    The influence of wave exposure on coral reef sea level records: Can wave energy resolve the meltwater pulse discrepancies? (IODP ANZIC grant)
    Australian National University
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2020
    Hydrodynamics & Materials Transport in the Mary River Estuary: An Initial Assessment
    Mary River Catchment Coordination Assoc Inc
    Open grant
  • 2018
    The history of late-Holocene relative sea level and coral reef flat carbonate production in the southern Great Barrier Reef
    Australian Synchrotron Access Program (ANSTO)
    Open grant

Availability

Dr Daniel Harris is:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Available projects

  • Surf zone processes in coral reefs and beaches

    There are projects available at the Honours or Masters level in examining surf zone processes on coral reef flats in the Great Barrier Reef and the Pacific. Ideally, the student would have some understanding of GIS and MATLAB as this work will in general be based in developing a numerical understanding of coral reef surf zones. However, if you are comupter savvy and enthusiastic you are welcome to discuss projects. There are currently no specific plans for field work in this area but there are always plans for addtional data collection. Potential PhD students are also wlelcome to come and discuss projects if interested in this area.

  • PhD, Masters, and Honours Research Projects

    The links goes to the lab website where some potential projects are sporadically updated. You can also look at the projects page to see what we are actively working on which will usually have student research projects available as well.

Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Enquiries

For media enquiries about Dr Daniel Harris's areas of expertise, story ideas and help finding experts, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au