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; 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)
Socio-Economic Objectives
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
Other research outputs
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 QLD 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)
  • Evolution, impacts and management of Alluvial Gully Erosion in Savanna Rangelands draining to the Great barrier Reef: A case study from the Upper Burdekin Catchment, North-East Queensland, Australia (PhD , Primary 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.

  • 5+ collaborations
  • 4 collaborations
  • 3 collaborations
  • 2 collaborations
  • 1 collaboration
  • Indicates the Tropics (Torrid Zone)

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