JCU > Research Portfolio > Dr Jack Koci

About

Jack Koci is an earth and environmental scientist with a particular interest in tropical catchment geomorphology and water quality. He has experience working across university, Government and industry and currently conducts research and teaching within the School of Earth and Environmental Science at James Cook Unviersity.

Jack's current research primarily focusses on improving understanding of the causes, processes, impacts and management of soil erosion in tropical landscapes. Jack also uses novel drone-based remote sensing techniques to map, monitor and model tropical landscapes.

Prior to joining James Cook University, Jack worked as a Research Fellow at the University of the Sunshine Coast. He has also worked with Seqwater and the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR).

Teaching

EV3401: Coastal and Catchment Geomorphology (Level 3; CNS & TSV)
EV3454: Natural Hazards (Level 3; CNS & TSV)
EV5401: Coastal and Catchment Geomorphology (Level 5; TSV)
EV5454: Natural Hazards (Level 5; CNS & TSV)

Interests

Research

Mapping, monitoring and modelling of soil erosion processes in tropical landscapes.
Quantification of landscape recovery and water quality improvement following land management change.
Drone-based remote sensing of landscapes.

Teaching

Natural Hazards
Soil Science
Hydrology

Experience

2019 to 2020 - Research Fellow, University of the Sunshine Coast (Sunshine Coast)
2019 to 2020 - Scientific Sampler, Seqwater (Sunshine Coast)
2016 to 2019 - PhD Candidate, University of the Sunshine Coast (Sunshine Coast)
2013 to 2015 - Research Officer, Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (Canberra)
2011 to 2013 - Research Officer, James Cook University (Cairns)

Research Disciplines

Honours

Awards

2020 - University of the Sunshine Coast Chancellor Medal
2018 - Emerging Higher Degree by Research Talent Award
2013 - James Cook University Medal
2011 - James Cook University Academic Medal (Bachelor Coursework)

Other

2016 to 2019 - Australian Government Postgraduate Award
2016 to 2019 - CSIRO Postgraduate Scholarship
2016 to 2019 - Meat and Livestock Australia Postgraduate Scholarship

Publications

These are the most recent publications associated with this author. To see a detailed profile of all publications stored at JCU, visit ResearchOnline@JCU. Hover over Altmetrics badges to see social impact.

Journal Articles

Koci J, Wilkinson S, Hawdon A, Kinsey-Henderson A, Bartley R and Goodwin N (2021) Rehabilitation effects on gully sediment yields and vegetation in a savanna rangeland. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 46 (5). pp. 1007-1025
Koci J, Sidle R, Kinsey-Henderson A, Bartley R, Wilkinson S, Hawdon A, Jarihani B, Roth C and Hogarth L (2020) Effect of reduced grazing pressure on sediment and nutrient yields in savanna rangeland streams draining to the Great Barrier Reef. Journal of Hydrology, 582.
Koci J, Sidle R, Jarihani B and Cashman M (2020) Linking hydrological connectivity to gully erosion in savanna rangelands tributary to the Great Barrier Reef using structure‐from‐motion photogrammetry. Land Degradation and Development, 31 (1). pp. 20-36
Sidle R, Jarihani B, Kaka S, Koci J and Al-Shaibani A (2019) Hydrogeomorphic processes affecting dryland gully erosion: implications for modelling. Progress in Physical Geography, 43 (1). pp. 46-64
Koci J, Jarihani B, Leon J, Sidle R, Wilkinson S and Bartley R (2017) Assessment of UAV and ground-based structure from motion with multi-view stereo photogrammetry in a gullied savanna catchment. ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information, 6 (11).
Koci J and Nelson P (2016) Tropical dairy pasture yield and nitrogen cycling: effect of urea application rate and a nitrification inhibitor, DMPP. Crop & Pasture Science, 67 (7). pp. 766-779

Other research outputs

Koci J, Nelson P and Rowlings D (2014) Tropical dairy pasture yield and nitrogen cycling: effects of fertiliser rate and a nitrification inhibitor. Abstracts from the National Soil Science Conference. 23-27 November 2014, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

Current Funding

Current and recent Research Funding to JCU is shown by funding source and project.

QLD Department of Agriculture and Fisheries - Contract Research

Alluvial Gully Remediation in the Upper Burdekin Catchment

Indicative Funding: $702,175 over 4 years (administered by QLD Department of Agriculture and Fisheries)
Summary: In catchments draining to the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, northeast Queensland, Australia, excess sediment derived from gully erosion is contributing to poor coastal water quality. Remediating and preventing further degradation of these landscapes is a major focus of investment toward improving coastal water quality. This project will monitor and evaluate the effect of several alluvial gully remediation measures on improving water quality in the Upper Burdekin catchment. The project will provide valuable new data, knowledge and understanding of the effectiveness of these remediation approaches for landholders interested in protecting and enhancing forage productivity, and for the organisations investing in activities to reduce sediment and nutrient loads delivered to the Great Barrier Reef.
Investigators: Jack Koci, Scott Smithers, Zoe Bainbridge, Stephen Lewis and Luke Buono (College of Science & Engineering and TropWater)
Keywords: Soil erosion; Environmental management; Water quality; Great Barrier Reef; Savanna; Runoff

Southern Gulf NRM Ltd - Contract Research

Rehabilitating Bare Ground in the Southern Gulf Region to Improve Drought Resilience

Indicative Funding: $133,000 over 1 year (administered by Southern Gulf NRM Ltd)
Summary: The project will monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of bare ground rehabilitation techniques on improving drought resilience on cattle grazing properties throughout the Southern Gulf region of north-west Queensland. Detailed on-ground measurement, coupled with remote sensing techniques, will be used to evaluate changes in soil and vegetation condition as a result of rehabilitation approaches trialled. The project will be underpinned by extensive communication and engagement activities. Ultimately, the project will deliver new knowledge to support more drought resilient, sustainable and profitable cattle production in tropical north Queensland, and other parts of northern Australia.
Investigators: Jack Koci in collaboration with Paul Nelson (College of Science & Engineering)
Keywords: Land Management; Land Reclamation; Drought Resilience; Rangeland; Soil Erosion; Water Quality

Great Barrier Reef Foundation - Reef Trust Partnership

GBRF EOI Island Monitoring

Indicative Funding: $397,435 over 2 years (administered by Department of Environment and Science)
Summary: The more than 1000 islands and cays in the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) World Heritage Area (GBRMPA spatial data, 2019) support a diverse range of ecological, cultural and economic values. Many are threatened by climate change, but monitoring and management is difficult as many cays are remote and difficult to access. This project will develop and implement an efficient drone-based hierarchical monitoring protocol based on the recognition and use of `natural ground control points? that will enable more rapid and resource efficient capture of reef island status to inform management decisions.
Investigators: Scott Smithers, Stephanie Duce, Karen Joyce, Nicholas Murray and Jack Koci (College of Science & Engineering)
Keywords: Drone; Great Barrier Reef; Remote Sensing; Geomorphology; Island Habitat

CSIRO - Contract Research

Effectiveness of gully remediation in catchments draining to the Great Barrier Reef

Indicative Funding: $43,089 over 1 year
Summary: Gully erosion is a globally significant land degradation problem and major contributor to poor water quality in the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) World Heritage Area. Gully rehabilitation can stabilise erosion and reduce downstream sediment yields, but the globally observed responses to rehabilitation are variable. This project will evaluate sediment yield and vegetation responses to several gully rehabilitation measures implemented in the Burdekin River catchment. The project will provide valuable new knowledge and understanding of the effectiveness of gully rehabilitation in savannah rangeland landscapes tributary to the GBR, and elsewhere in the world.
Investigators: Jack Koci in collaboration with Rebecca Bartley and Scott Wilkinson (College of Science & Engineering and Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation)
Keywords: Gully remediation; Savanna rangeland; Land Management; Runoff; Water quality; Great Barrier Reef

Supervision

Advisory Accreditation: I can be on your Advisory Panel as a Primary or Secondary Advisor.

These Higher Degree Research projects are either current or by students who have completed their studies within the past 5 years at JCU. Linked titles show theses available within ResearchOnline@JCU.

Current

Saltmarsh Connectivity in Tropical Seascapes: An Eco-hydrological Perspective (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
Disturbance Histories and Reef growth on the inshore central GBR (Masters , Secondary Advisor)
From Coral Communities to Fringing Reefs: Developing a Novel Predictive Model for Fringing Reef Growth, Conservation and Restoration (PhD , Secondary Advisor)

Collaboration

The map shows research collaborations by institution from the past 7 years.
Note: Map points are indicative of the countries or states that institutions are associated with.