Bill Kendall, PhD
Assistant Unit Leader - Colorado Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
Research Interests
My interests are in the development, application, and evaluation of methods in quantitative ecology. Current research focuses on several areas of capture-recapture statistical methodology, the conceptual development of adaptive resource management and its application to decision problems, and population dynamics of sandhill cranes, albatross, sea turtles, and manatees.
Teaching Interests
I teach courses in population analysis and demographic estimation, and wildlife management science.
Professional Experience
Assistant Unit Leader, Colorado Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, 2010-
Education and Certifications
Ph D North Carolina State University 1992
MS North Carolina State University 1990
MS North Carolina State University 1985
BBA University of Cincinnati 1982
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 89
Evidence for skipped spawning in a potamodromous cyprinid, humpback chub (Gila cypha), with implications for demographic parameter estimates
Our findings reveal evidence for skipped spawning in a potamodromous cyprinid, humpback chub (HBC; Gila cypha ). Using closed robust design mark-recapture models, we found, on average, spawning HBC transition to the skipped spawning state () with a probability of 0.45 (95% CRI (i.e. credible interval): 0.10, 0.80) and skipped spawners remain in the skipped spawning state () with a probability of
Authors
Kristen Nicole Pearson, William L. Kendall, Dana L. Winkelman, William R. Persons
Life-history tradeoffs and reproductive cycles in Spotted Owls
The study of tradeoffs among life-history traits has long been key to understanding the evolution of life-history strategies. However, more recently, evolutionary ecologists have realized that reproductive costs have the potential to influence population dynamics. Here, we tested for costs of reproduction in the California Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis occidentalis), and assessed whether costs o
Authors
Ricka E. Stoelting, R. J. Gutierrez, William L. Kendall, M. Zachariah Peery
Environmental correlates of temporary emigration for female Weddell seals and consequences for recruitment
In colonial-breeding species, prebreeders often emigrate temporarily from natal reproductive colonies then subsequently return for one or more years before producing young. Variation in attendance–nonattendance patterns can have implications for subsequent recruitment. We used open robust-design multistate models and 28 years of encounter data for prebreeding female Weddell seals (Leptonychotes we
Authors
Glenn E. Stauffer, Jay J. Rotella, Robert A. Garrott, William L. Kendall
Comparative analysis of Mourning Dove population change in North America
Mourning doves (Zenaida macroura) are surveyed in North America with a Call-Count Survey (CCS) and the North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS). Analyses in recent years have identified inconsistencies in results between surveys, and a need exists to analyze the surveys using modern methods and examine possible causes of differences in survey results. Call-Count Survey observers collect separate
Authors
John R. Sauer, William A. Link, William L. Kendall, David D. Dolton
One size does not fit all: Adapting mark-recapture and occupancy models for state uncertainty
Multistate capture?recapture models continue to be employed with greater frequency to test hypotheses about metapopulation dynamics and life history, and more recently disease dynamics. In recent years efforts have begun to adjust these models for cases where there is uncertainty about an animal?s state upon capture. These efforts can be categorized into models that permit misclassification betw
Authors
W. L. Kendall
A traditional and a less-invasive robust design: choices in optimizing effort allocation for seabird population studies
For many animal populations, one or more life stages are not accessible to sampling, and therefore an unobservable state is created. For colonially-breeding populations, this unobservable state could represent the subset of adult breeders that have foregone breeding in a given year. This situation applies to many seabird populations, notably albatrosses, where skipped breeders are either absent fr
Authors
S. J. Converse, W. L. Kendall, P.F. Doherty, M.B. Naughton, J. E. Hines
Exploring extensions to multi-state models with multiple unobservable states
Many biological systems include a portion of the target population that is unobservable during certain life history stages. Transition to and from an unobservable state may be of primary interest in many ecological studies and such movements are easily incorporated into multi-state models. Several authors have investigated properties of open-population multi-state mark-recapture models with unob
Authors
L.L. Bailey, W. L. Kendall, D.R. Church
Structured decision making as a conceptual framework to identify thresholds for conservation and management
Thresholds and their relevance to conservation have become a major topic of discussion in the ecological literature. Unfortunately, in many cases the lack of a clear conceptual framework for thinking about thresholds may have led to confusion in attempts to apply the concept of thresholds to conservation decisions. Here, we advocate a framework for thinking about thresholds in terms of a structure
Authors
J. Martin, M.C. Runge, J. D. Nichols, B. C. Lubow, W. L. Kendall
Factors influencing reporting and harvest probabilities in North American geese
We assessed variation in reporting probabilities of standard bands among species, populations, harvest locations, and size classes of North American geese to enable estimation of unbiased harvest probabilities. We included reward (US10,20,30,50, or100) and control (0) banded geese from 16 recognized goose populations of 4 species: Canada (Branta canadensis), cackling (B. hutchinsii), Ross's (Chen
Authors
G.S. Zimmerman, T.J. Moser, W. L. Kendall, P.F. Doherty, Gary C. White, D.F. Caswell
Monitoring in the context of structured decision-making and adaptive management
In a natural resource management setting, monitoring is a crucial component of an informed process for making decisions, and monitoring design should be driven by the decision context and associated uncertainties. Monitoring itself can play >3 roles. First, it is important for state-dependent decision-making, as when managers need to know the system state before deciding on the appropriate cours
Authors
J. E. Lyons, M.C. Runge, H. P. Laskowski, W. L. Kendall
Estimating total population size for adult female sea turtles: Accounting for non-nesters
Assessment of population size and changes therein is important to sea turtle management and population or life history research. Investigators might be interested in testing hypotheses about the effect of current population size or density (number of animals per unit resource) on future population processes. Decision makers might want to determine a level of allowable take of individual turtles
Authors
W. L. Kendall, J.I. Richardson
State of the art in design, modelling and software for tagging studies
No abstract available.
Authors
W. L. Kendall
Non-USGS Publications**
Ruiz-Gutierrez, V., W. L. Kendall, J. F. Saracco, and G. C. White. Modeling dynamics for resident and transient individuals: a case study using uncertain state models for migratory birds. Journal of Applied Ecology, DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.12655
Garcia-Cruz, M. A., M. Lampo, C. L. Penaloza, W. L. Kendall, G. Sole, and K. M. Rodriguez-Clark. 2015.Population trends and survival of nesting green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) on Aves Island, Venezuela. Endangered Species Research 29:101-116.
Lyons, J. E., W. L. Kendall, J. A. Royle, S. J. Converse, B. A. Andres, and J. B. Buchanan. 2015. Population size and stopover duration estimation using mark-resight data and Bayesian analysis of a superpopulation model. Biometrics DOI: 10.1111/biom.12393.
Pearson, K. N., W. L. Kendall, D. L. Winkelman, and W. R. Persons. 2015. Evidence for skipped spawning in the endangered humpback chub (Gila cypha) with implications for demographic parameter estimates. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 170:50-59
Chambert, T., Kendall, W. L., Hines, J. E., Nichols, J. D., Pedrini, P., Waddle, J. H., Tavecchia, G., Walls, S. C. and Tenan, S. (2015), Testing hypotheses on distribution shifts and changes in phenology of imperfectly detectable species. Methods Ecol Evol, 6: 638–647. doi:10.1111/2041-210X.12362
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Science and Products
- Publications
Filter Total Items: 89
Evidence for skipped spawning in a potamodromous cyprinid, humpback chub (Gila cypha), with implications for demographic parameter estimates
Our findings reveal evidence for skipped spawning in a potamodromous cyprinid, humpback chub (HBC; Gila cypha ). Using closed robust design mark-recapture models, we found, on average, spawning HBC transition to the skipped spawning state () with a probability of 0.45 (95% CRI (i.e. credible interval): 0.10, 0.80) and skipped spawners remain in the skipped spawning state () with a probability ofAuthorsKristen Nicole Pearson, William L. Kendall, Dana L. Winkelman, William R. PersonsLife-history tradeoffs and reproductive cycles in Spotted Owls
The study of tradeoffs among life-history traits has long been key to understanding the evolution of life-history strategies. However, more recently, evolutionary ecologists have realized that reproductive costs have the potential to influence population dynamics. Here, we tested for costs of reproduction in the California Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis occidentalis), and assessed whether costs oAuthorsRicka E. Stoelting, R. J. Gutierrez, William L. Kendall, M. Zachariah PeeryEnvironmental correlates of temporary emigration for female Weddell seals and consequences for recruitment
In colonial-breeding species, prebreeders often emigrate temporarily from natal reproductive colonies then subsequently return for one or more years before producing young. Variation in attendance–nonattendance patterns can have implications for subsequent recruitment. We used open robust-design multistate models and 28 years of encounter data for prebreeding female Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weAuthorsGlenn E. Stauffer, Jay J. Rotella, Robert A. Garrott, William L. KendallComparative analysis of Mourning Dove population change in North America
Mourning doves (Zenaida macroura) are surveyed in North America with a Call-Count Survey (CCS) and the North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS). Analyses in recent years have identified inconsistencies in results between surveys, and a need exists to analyze the surveys using modern methods and examine possible causes of differences in survey results. Call-Count Survey observers collect separateAuthorsJohn R. Sauer, William A. Link, William L. Kendall, David D. DoltonOne size does not fit all: Adapting mark-recapture and occupancy models for state uncertainty
Multistate capture?recapture models continue to be employed with greater frequency to test hypotheses about metapopulation dynamics and life history, and more recently disease dynamics. In recent years efforts have begun to adjust these models for cases where there is uncertainty about an animal?s state upon capture. These efforts can be categorized into models that permit misclassification betwAuthorsW. L. KendallA traditional and a less-invasive robust design: choices in optimizing effort allocation for seabird population studies
For many animal populations, one or more life stages are not accessible to sampling, and therefore an unobservable state is created. For colonially-breeding populations, this unobservable state could represent the subset of adult breeders that have foregone breeding in a given year. This situation applies to many seabird populations, notably albatrosses, where skipped breeders are either absent frAuthorsS. J. Converse, W. L. Kendall, P.F. Doherty, M.B. Naughton, J. E. HinesExploring extensions to multi-state models with multiple unobservable states
Many biological systems include a portion of the target population that is unobservable during certain life history stages. Transition to and from an unobservable state may be of primary interest in many ecological studies and such movements are easily incorporated into multi-state models. Several authors have investigated properties of open-population multi-state mark-recapture models with unobAuthorsL.L. Bailey, W. L. Kendall, D.R. ChurchStructured decision making as a conceptual framework to identify thresholds for conservation and management
Thresholds and their relevance to conservation have become a major topic of discussion in the ecological literature. Unfortunately, in many cases the lack of a clear conceptual framework for thinking about thresholds may have led to confusion in attempts to apply the concept of thresholds to conservation decisions. Here, we advocate a framework for thinking about thresholds in terms of a structureAuthorsJ. Martin, M.C. Runge, J. D. Nichols, B. C. Lubow, W. L. KendallFactors influencing reporting and harvest probabilities in North American geese
We assessed variation in reporting probabilities of standard bands among species, populations, harvest locations, and size classes of North American geese to enable estimation of unbiased harvest probabilities. We included reward (US10,20,30,50, or100) and control (0) banded geese from 16 recognized goose populations of 4 species: Canada (Branta canadensis), cackling (B. hutchinsii), Ross's (ChenAuthorsG.S. Zimmerman, T.J. Moser, W. L. Kendall, P.F. Doherty, Gary C. White, D.F. CaswellMonitoring in the context of structured decision-making and adaptive management
In a natural resource management setting, monitoring is a crucial component of an informed process for making decisions, and monitoring design should be driven by the decision context and associated uncertainties. Monitoring itself can play >3 roles. First, it is important for state-dependent decision-making, as when managers need to know the system state before deciding on the appropriate coursAuthorsJ. E. Lyons, M.C. Runge, H. P. Laskowski, W. L. KendallEstimating total population size for adult female sea turtles: Accounting for non-nesters
Assessment of population size and changes therein is important to sea turtle management and population or life history research. Investigators might be interested in testing hypotheses about the effect of current population size or density (number of animals per unit resource) on future population processes. Decision makers might want to determine a level of allowable take of individual turtlesAuthorsW. L. Kendall, J.I. RichardsonState of the art in design, modelling and software for tagging studies
No abstract available.AuthorsW. L. KendallNon-USGS Publications**
Ruiz-Gutierrez, V., W. L. Kendall, J. F. Saracco, and G. C. White. Modeling dynamics for resident and transient individuals: a case study using uncertain state models for migratory birds. Journal of Applied Ecology, DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.12655Garcia-Cruz, M. A., M. Lampo, C. L. Penaloza, W. L. Kendall, G. Sole, and K. M. Rodriguez-Clark. 2015.Population trends and survival of nesting green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) on Aves Island, Venezuela. Endangered Species Research 29:101-116.Lyons, J. E., W. L. Kendall, J. A. Royle, S. J. Converse, B. A. Andres, and J. B. Buchanan. 2015. Population size and stopover duration estimation using mark-resight data and Bayesian analysis of a superpopulation model. Biometrics DOI: 10.1111/biom.12393.Pearson, K. N., W. L. Kendall, D. L. Winkelman, and W. R. Persons. 2015. Evidence for skipped spawning in the endangered humpback chub (Gila cypha) with implications for demographic parameter estimates. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 170:50-59Chambert, T., Kendall, W. L., Hines, J. E., Nichols, J. D., Pedrini, P., Waddle, J. H., Tavecchia, G., Walls, S. C. and Tenan, S. (2015), Testing hypotheses on distribution shifts and changes in phenology of imperfectly detectable species. Methods Ecol Evol, 6: 638–647. doi:10.1111/2041-210X.12362**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.