Overview
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
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Sydney
Research interests
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Works
Search Professor Daniel Harris’s works on UQ eSpace
2021
Journal Article
Specific niche requirements underpin multidecadal range edge stability, but may introduce barriers for climate change adaptation
Firth, Louise B., Harris, Daniel, Blaze, Julie A., Marzloff, Martin P., Boyé, Aurélien, Miller, Peter I., Curd, Amelia, Vasquez, Mickaël, Nunn, Julia D., O’Connor, Nessa E., Power, Anne Marie, Mieszkowska, Nova, O’Riordan, Ruth M., Burrows, Michael T., Bricheno, Lucy M., Knights, Antony M., Nunes, Flavia L. D., Bordeyne, François, Bush, Laura E., Byers, James E., David, Carmen, Davies, Andrew J., Dubois, Stanislas F., Edwards, Hugh, Foggo, Andy, Grant, Lisa, Green, J. A. Mattias, Gribben, Paul E., Lima, Fernando P. ... Hawkins, Stephen J. (2021). Specific niche requirements underpin multidecadal range edge stability, but may introduce barriers for climate change adaptation. Diversity and Distributions, 27 (4), 668-683. doi: 10.1111/ddi.13224
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Daniel Harris is:
- Available for supervision
Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.
Available projects
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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
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Doctor Philosophy
Tectonic Geomorphology of the Great Barrier Reef: the contribution of geological structures to reef growth and geomorphology
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Stuart Phinn, Associate Professor Chris Roelfsema
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Doctor Philosophy
Multiscale Analysis of Coral Reef Benthic Assemblages
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Peter Mumby
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Doctor Philosophy
Dynamics of Coral Rubble in Natural Settings
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Tom Baldock
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Doctor Philosophy
Advanced dating techniques for establishing the history of the Great Barrier Reef
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jianxin Zhao
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Doctor Philosophy
The importance of reef geomorphology in driving ecological dynamics
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Peter Mumby
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Doctor Philosophy
Foraging ecology of parrotfish and the impact on bioerosion
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Peter Mumby
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Doctor Philosophy
Sustaining life on Pacific atoll islands in the face of accelerating coastal change: insights from three-dimensional change detection analysis
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Chris Roelfsema, Professor Stuart Phinn
Completed supervision
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Coastal change in an uncertain future: historic geomorphic change in tropical northeastern Australia and implications for the next century
Principal Advisor
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Predicting long-term shoreline response to sea-level rise on continental and global scales with data-driven models
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Stuart Phinn
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2025
Doctor Philosophy
Putting the pieces together: Coral recovery dynamics in Rubble beds
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Tania Kenyon, Professor Peter Mumby
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2025
Doctor Philosophy
Towards a coral rubble instability model to inform coral remediation within the Great Barrier Reef
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Tom Baldock, Associate Professor David Callaghan
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2025
Doctor Philosophy
Structural and hydrodynamic analysis of the breakage of coral colonies and rubble motion
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor David Callaghan, Professor Tom Baldock
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
From Rubble to Reef: The physical and biological dynamics of coral reef rubble beds
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Peter Mumby
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the impacts of flood/drought disasters and their management on catchment socio-ecological system
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Yongping Wei
Media
Enquiries
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