UC Spark

Dr Deirdre Erin Hart

Geography

Fields of Research

  • Coastal and Fluvial Geomorphology
  • Coastal and Fluvial Hydrodynamics
  • Coastal Ecology
  • Coastal Management
  • Pacific
  • Physical Geography
  • Sedimentology
  • Tropical Coral Reef Environments

Researcher Summary

I research physical and biological processes and interactions in coastal environments, including temperate and tropical coastal and rivermouth science and management. Current projects include collaboration with research teams in Australia, Korea and New Zealand. My research approach is interdisciplinary approach, and uses field, laboratory and modelling techniques.

I am passionate about the dissemination of coastal science through education and informed management and have a commitment to engagement with local communities.

I am interested in supervising Masters and PhD projects that align closely with my research interests, including on river mouths, high-energy coasts, mudflats, reef sediments, pocket beaches and coastal hazards such as earthquake effects.

Summary of research interests: Multidisciplinary Approaches to Examining Coastal Systems; Coastal Ecology, Geomorphology, Sediments and Hydrodynamics; Tropical Reef Environments; Mixed Sand and Gravel Beaches; River Mouth Lagoons; Coastal Management; Sea Level; Tsunami Hazard.

Subject Area: Disciplines

Research Groups

Future Research

  • Understanding mixed sand and gravel river mouth lagoon systems
  • Management strategies for mixed sand and gravel river mouth lagoons (hapua)
  • Earthquake effects on coasts and other coastal hazards
  • Pocket beach hydrodynamics and sediment transport systems
  • Understanding of, and coastal responses to, predicted sea level rise
  • Modelling ocean and algal bloom dynamics in South Korea
  • Quantifying links between low island ecology, sediments and hydrodynamics
  • Improved tropical reef management
  • Understanding biophysical processes in tropical reef environments

Key Methodologies

  • Sediment analysis
  • Surveying
  • Hydrodynamic measurements and modelling
  • Ecological surveys
  • GPS and GIS

Affiliations

Publications


  • Park, S-Y., Byun, D-S. and Hart, D.E. (2012) A solution for the correct interpolation of data across regions with abrupt changes in tidal phase-lag. Ocean Science Journal 47(4): 215-219. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12601-012-0022-6. (Journal Article)
  • Hart, D.E., Gomez, C. and Kelland, E. (2012) Christchurch's Coastal and River Quakes: Implications for disaster resilience in New Zealand. Christchurch, New Zealand: University of Canterbury Earthquake Research Forum, 5 Jun 2012. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Hart, D.E., Gomez, C., Kirk, R.M., Hughes, M.W., Kelland, E., Wood, G.V., Davis, C.A. and Giovinazzi, S. (2012) Coastal quakes: New Zealand's underrated hazard complex. Auckland, New Zealand: New Zealand Coastal Society Annual Conference (NZCS), 14-16 Nov 2012. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Hart, D.E., Gomez, C., Kelland, E. and Wassmer, P. (2012) Earth Quakes - Coastal & River Disasters. Christchurch, New Zealand: Australasian Hazards Conference, 20 Aug 2012. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Hart, D.E. and de Villiers, M. (2012) Examining the effects of the February 2010 far-field tsunami on the seabed sediments of Akaroa Harbour. Canterbury Regional Council. Integrated Coastal Research Group Report 01/12. 33pp. (Technical Report)
  • Gomez, C. and Hart, D. (2012) How Hazard Planners Created the Tohoku Catastrophe. Christchurch, New Zealand: 6th Australasian Natural Hazards Management Conference, 21-22 Aug 2012. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Gomez, C., Hart, D. and Wassmer, P. (2012) How Japan planned its way into the 2011 Tohoku Disaster. University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand: 6th Australasian Natural Hazards Management Conference, 21-22 Aug 2012. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Kain, C., Gomez, C. and Hart, D.E. (2012) Impacts of tsunami on Banks Peninsula: Sedimentary signatures of previous events. Auckland, New Zealand: New Zealand Coastal Society Annual Conference (NZCS), 14-16 Nov 2012. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Taylor, G.F., Marsden, I.F. and Hart, D.E. (2012) Management of vehicle and horse users on sand beaches: Implications for shellfish populations. Canterbury Regional Council. Estuarine Research Report 41. 56pp. (Technical Report)
  • Wood, G.V. and Hart, D.E. (2012) Old lessons for new earthquakes? Napier, New Zealand: New Zealand Geographical Society Conference (NZGS), 3-6 Dec 2012. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Hughes, M., Swaffield, S., Hart, D., Kirk, B. and Cubrinovski, M. (2012) Sea-level rise in Christchurch, New Zealand: Envisioning synergistic climate-seismic risks and exploring alternative futures in dynamic coastal landscapes. Wellington, New Zealand: 4th Digital Earth Summit, 2-4 Sep 2012. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Gomez, C., Hart, D.E. and Wassmer, P. (2012) Tohoku Tsunami: Understanding the Human Elements of a Coastal Disaster. Coastal News 49: 3-5. (Journal Article)
  • Gomez, C. and Hart, D.E. (2012) Weighing the tsunami risk. Local Government Magazine. 32-33. (Discussion Paper)
  • Moghaddam, A.E., Hart, D.E., Zawar-Reza, P. and Single, M. (2012) What features make pocket beaches unique in terms of coastal processes. Orlando, FL, USA: International Conference on Hydroscience and Engineering, 4 Nov 2012. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Kain, C., Hart, D.E., Gomez, C. and Johnston, D. (2011) A history of tsunami in the Chatham Islands, New Zealand. Nelson, New Zealand: New Zealand Coastal Society 19th Annual Conference 2011, 7-9 Nov 2011. (Conference Contribution - Abstract)
  • Gomez, C. and Hart, D. (2011) A new technique for examining palaeotsunamis arrives on New Zealand shores: the Anisotropy of Magnetic Susceptibility. Coastal News 47: 7-8. Magazine article. (Other)
  • Hart, D.E. and Gomez, C. (2011) Can we Make New Zealand Coastal Management more Disaster Resilient? Problems and Lessons from Christchurch Post-quake. Nelson, New Zealand: New Zealand Coastal Society 19th Annual Conference 2011, 7-9 Nov 2011. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Hart, D.E. and Gomez, C. (2011) Can we make NZ’s coast more disaster resilient? Problems & lessons from Christchurch post-quake. Nelson, New Zealand: 19th Annual New Zealand Coastal Society Conference, 7th November 2011. 41 slides. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Hart, D.E. (2011) Coastal impacts, dynamics and change: Insights from North Carolina to New Zealand. Coastal News (46): 4. (Journal Article)
  • Moghaddam, A.E. and Hart, D.E. (2011) Nearshore Currents and Sediment Transport Mechanisms in Pocket Beach Environments. Coastal News (46): 8-10. (Journal Article)
  • Moghaddam, A.E., Hart, D.E. and Zawar-Rezar, P. (2011) Predicting headland-enclosed beach shorelines: Can we use the parabolic shape equation. Nelson, New Zealand: 19th Annual New Zealand Coastal Society Conference, 7th November 2011. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Moghaddam, A.E., Hart, D.E. and Zawar-Reza, P. (2011) Relationships between bay characteristics and shoreline curvature in pocket and embayed beaches. Wollongong, Australia: Institute of Australian Geographers Conference, 3rd July 2011. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Taylor, G.F., Marsden, I.D. and Hart, D.E. (2011) Shellfish protection vs. recreational vehicle use: Management implications from a study in Pegasus Bay, Canterbury, New Zealand. Coffs Harbour, Australia: 20th NSW Coastal Conference, 8-11 November 2011. (Conference Contribution - Poster presentation)
  • Gomez, C., Soltanzadeh, I. and Hart, D.E. (2011) The atmospheric impacts of large tsunamis - case study in Java, Indonesia. Coastal News 48: 5-6. (Journal Article)
  • Hart, D.E., Todd, D.J., Nation, T.E. and McWilliams, Z.A. (2009) Coastal Research Report 01/ECan Report 09/44: Upper Akaroa Harbour Seabed Bathymetry and Soft Sediments: A Baseline Mapping Study. Environment Canterbury. 72pp. (Technical Report)
  • Hart, D.E. and Knight, G.A. (2009) Geographic Information System Assessment of Tsunami Vulnerability on a Dune Coast. Journal of Coastal Research 25(1): 131-141. http://dx.doi.org/10.2112/07-0960.1. (Journal Article)
  • Hart, D.E. (2009) Morphodynamics of Non-Estuarine Rivermouth Lagoons on High-Energy Coasts. Lisbon, Portugal: 10th International Coastal Symposium (ICS 2009), 13-18 Apr 2009. In Journal of Coastal Research Special Issue 56(2) 1355-1359. (Conference Contribution - Paper in published proceedings)
  • Hart, D. (2009) Morphodynamics of Non-Estuarine Rivermouth Lagoons on High-Energy Coasts. Lisbon, Portugal: 10th International Coastal Symposium (ISC), 13-18 Apr 2009. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Kain, C. and Hart, D.E. (2009) Past, present and future evolution of coastal lagoons, Westland, New Zealand. Wellington, New Zealand: Coasts and Ports 2009, 16-18 Sep 2009. 6pp (CD). (Conference Contribution - Full conference paper)
  • Hart, D.E. (2009) River Mouth Lagoon Science and Management. In A. Williams and A. Micallef (Ed.), Beach Management: Principles and Practice (1 ed.): 273-286. London: Earthscan. (Chapter in Book)
  • Hart, D.E. (2009) The maintenance of reef islands. Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA: 11th International Coral Reef Symposium, 7-11 July 2009. In Proceedings 409-413. (Conference Contribution - Paper in published proceedings)
  • Hart, D.E., Marsden, I.D. and Francis, M. (2008) Coastal systems. In M. Winterbourn, G. Knox, C. Burrows and I. Marsden (Ed.), The Natural History of Canterbury (3rd ed.): 653-684. Christchurch: Canterbury University Press. (Chapter in Book)
  • Alexander, D.J., Hart, D.E. and Marsden, I.D. (2008) Evaluation and Development of Techniques to Map Macroalgae in the Avon-Heathcote Estuary Ihutai. Estuarine Research Report 35. Avon-Heathcote Estuary Trust, Christchurch City Council and Environment Canterbury. 84pp. (Technical Report)
  • Idrus, R., Hart, D. and Pawson, E. (2008) Examining The Persistence Of Coral Reefs Destruction. Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA: 11th International Coral Reef Symposium, 7-11 Jul 2008. In Abstracts 175. (Conference Contribution - Abstract)
  • Wheeler, J., Cochrane, T., O'Sullivan, A. and Hart, D. (2008) Hydrodynamic Modelling and Quantification of Available Habitat in Constructed Wetland Wildlife Reserves. Auckland, New Zealand: 5th Asia-Pacific DHI Software Conference, 16-18 Mar 2008. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Wheeler, J., Cochrane, T., O'Sullivan, A. and Hart, D. (2008) Hydrodynamic Modelling and Quantification of Available Habitat in Constructed Wetland Wildlife Reserves. University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand: 3rd National Wetland Restoration Symposium, 14-16 Feb 2008. In Proceedings of the 3rd National Wetland Symposium 8pp. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Hart, D.E., Marsden, I.D., Todd, D.J. and de Vries, W.J. (2008) Mapping of the Bathymetry, Soft Sediments, and Biota of the Seabed of Upper Lyttelton Harbour. Environment Canterbury. 59pp. (Technical Report)
  • Hart, D.E. (2008) The Origins and Fate of Reef Island Sediments. Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA: 11th International Coral Reef Symposium, 7-11 Jul 2008. Poster 13.423. (Conference Contribution - Poster presentation)
  • Langley, R.J. and Hart, D.E. (2007) A Coastal Scenic Assessment of the North Canterbury Coast. Coastal News 34: 1-3. (Journal Article)
  • Hart, D.E. and Kench, P.S. (2007) Carbonate production of an emergent reef platform, Warraber Island, Torres Strait, Australia. Coral Reefs 26(1): 53-68. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00338-006-0168-8. (Journal Article)
  • Jupp, K.L., Partridge, T.R., Hart, D.E. and Marsden, I.D. (2007) Ecology of the Avon-Heathcote Estuary: Comparative Salt Marsh Survey 2006-2007. Estuarine Research Report 34. Avon-Heathcote Estuary Ihutai Trust. University of Canterbury. 79pp. http://www.estuary.org.nz/pdfs/jupp-report.pdf. (Technical Report)
  • Woodroffe, C.D., Samosorn, B., Hua, Q. and Hart, D.E. (2007) Incremental accretion of a sandy reef island over the past 3000 years indicated by component-specific radiocarbon dating. Geophysical Research Letters 34: L03602. http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2006GL028875. (Journal Article)
  • Hart, D.E. (2007) International Coastal Symposium Review. Coastal News 35: 7. (Journal Article)
  • Hart, D.E. (2007) River-mouth lagoon dynamics on mixed sand and gravel barrier coasts. Gold Coast, Australia: International Coastal Symposium (ICS2007), 16-20 Apr 2007. In Journal of Coastal Research Special Issue 50 927-931. (Conference Contribution - Paper in published proceedings)
  • Knight, G.A. and Hart, D.E. (2006) Geographic Information System assessment of tsunami vulnerability.. Kaikoura, New Zealand: New Zealand Coastal Society Conference, 15-17th November 2006. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Hart, D.E., Kirk, R.M., Hicks, D.M., Cope, J.M. and Hawtin, S.V. (Ed.) (2006) Living on the Edge: Coastal Sustainability. Proceedings of the New Zealand Coastal Society Conference, Kaikoura 2006. Hamilton: New Zealand Coastal Society. 44pp. (Edited Book)
  • Hart, D.E. (2006) Modelling reef platform carbonate and sediment production. Taipa Bay, Northland, New Zealand: 12th Meeting of the Australian and New Zealand Geomorphology Group Inc, 12-17 Feb 2006. In ANZGG Occasional Paper 4 38-39. http://www.sges.auckland.ac.nz/anzgg_2006/. (Conference Contribution - Abstract)
  • Hart, D.E. (2005) Coastal Assessment of Warraber Island, Torres Strait, Australia. Warraber island Community Council. 60pp. (Report for External Body)
  • Williams, A.T. and Hart, D.E. (2005) Coastal scenery and fuzzy logic. Tutukaka, Northland: New Zealand Coastal Society Conference, 12-15 Oct 2005. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Hart, D.E. (2005) Evolution, dynamics and management of hapua-type river mouth lagoons on the East and West Coasts, South Island, New Zealand. Tutukaka, Northland: NZ Coastal Society Conference, 12-15 Oct 2005. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Byun, D-S., Wang, X.H., Hart, D.E. and Cho, Y-K. (2005) Modeling the effect of freshwater inflows on the development of spring blooms in an estuarine embayment. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 65(1-2): 351-360. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2005.06.012. (Journal Article)
  • Byun, D-S., Cho, Y-K., Huh, I-A. and Hart, D.E. (2005) Runoff-induced vertical thermal dynamics in a canyon-shaped reservoir during the summer monsoon. Marine and Freshwater Research 56(7): 959-968. (Journal Article)
  • Brander, R.W., Kench, P.S. and Hart, D. (2004) Spatial and temporal variations in wave characteristics across a reef platform, Warraber Island, Torres Strait, Australia. Marine Geology 207(1-4): 169-184. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.margeo.2004.03.014. (Journal Article)
  • Hart, D.E. (2003) Predicting adjustments to sea-level change in an inter-tidal reef platform system.. Auckland: Joint Australian and New Zealand Geographical Society Conference, 9-12 July 2003. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Hart, D. (2003) The Importance of Sea-Level in an Inter-Tidal Reef Platform System, Warraber Island, Torres Strait. Auckland, New Zealand: New Zealand Geographical Society 22nd Conference, 6-11 Jul 2003. In Windows on a Changing World: Proceedings of the 22nd New Zealand Geographical Society Conference 22 77-81. (Conference Contribution - Paper in published proceedings)
  • Hart, D.E. (2000) Review of existing sea-level change studies. In: Harvey, N., Hart, D.E. and James, C. Preliminary investigations of sea-level change and coastal management in Oceania. Environment Australia. 5-46. (Report for External Body)
  • Allan, J.C., Kirk, R.M., Hemmingsen, M. and Hart, D. (1999) Coastal Processes in Southern Pegasus Bay: A Review.. Canterbury Regional Council and Woodward-Clyde New Zealand Ltd. 91p. (Report for External Body)