James Cain, III, PhD
Assistant Unit Leader - New Mexico Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
Research Interests
James' research interests are primarily in wildlife-habitat relationships, population ecology, and the influence of management practices on native wildlife species. He is interested in using a rigorous scientific approach to address both basic and applied questions related to wildlife ecology, conservation and management. In general, his research interests focus on understanding the effects of environmental heterogeneity on habitat selection, resource use, movements and the landscape-level distribution of mammals and birds. Specifically he is interested in studies on how spatial and temporal variation in habitat characteristics, resources and constraints on resource use (e.g., predation risk) influence the movement, habitat selection and distribution of wildlife. Furthermore, he is interested in determining how habitat selection, at the local and landscape scales, is related to demographic rates and population dynamics, including the relationships between habitat quality and metapopulation dynamics. Another area of research involves the influence of natural resource management activities on wildlife and he works with government agencies to assess the implications of current and future land use and management practices on conservation of wildlife populations and communities.
Teaching Interests
James has been fortunate to have had the opportunity to teach a range of courses and gain teaching experiences with diverse groups of students at both U.S. and international universities. His experiences include teaching courses at both the undergraduate and graduate level and include courses in Wildlife Management, Field Methods for Wildlife and Conservation, Quantitative Biology, Wildlife -habitat Relationships, and Population and Community Ecology. His teaching interests include courses in large mammal ecology and conservation, wildlife-habitat relationships, field methods, and wildlife conservation and management.
Professional Experience
Assistant Unit Leader, New Mexico Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, 2010-
Education and Certifications
Ph D University of Arizona 2006
MS California State University-Sacramento 2001
BS Colorado State University 1997
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 46
Predicting spatial factors associated with cattle depredations by the Mexican wolf (Canis lupus baileyi) with recommendations for depredation risk modeling
AimPredation on livestock is one of the primary concerns for Mexican wolf (Canis lupus baileyi) recovery because it causes economic losses and negative attitudes toward wolves. Our objectives were to develop a spatial risk model of cattle depredation by Mexican wolves in the USA portion of their recovery area to help reduce the potential for future depredations.LocationArizona and New Mexico, USA.
Authors
Reza Goljani Amirkhiz, Jennifer K. Frey, James W. Cain III, Stewart W. Breck, David L. Bergman
Diet composition, quality and overlap of sympatric American pronghorn and gemsbok
Species with a long evolutionary history of sympatry often have mechanisms for resource partitioning that reduce competition. However, introduced non-native ungulates often compete with native ungulates and competitive effects can be exacerbated in arid regions due to low primary productivity. Our objectives were to characterize diet composition, quality, and overlap between American pronghorn Ant
Authors
James W. Cain III, Mindi M. Avery, Colleen A. Caldwell, Laurie B. Abbott, Jerry L. Holechek
Extreme precipitation variability, forage quality and large herbivore diet selection in arid environments
Nutritional ecology forms the interface between environmental variability and large herbivore behaviour, life history characteristics, and population dynamics. Forage conditions in arid and semi-arid regions are driven by unpredictable spatial and temporal patterns in rainfall. Diet selection by herbivores should be directed towards overcoming the most pressing nutritional limitation (i.e. energy,
Authors
James W. Cain III, Jay V. Gedir, Jason P. Marshal, Paul R. Krausman, Jamison D. Allen, Glenn C. Duff, Brian Jansen, John R. Morgart
Identifying ecologically relevant scales of habitat selection: diel habitat selection in elk
Although organisms make resource selection decisions at multiple spatiotemporal scales, not all scales are ecologically relevant to any given organism. Ecological patterns and rhythms such as behavioral and climatic patterns may provide a consistent method for identifying ecologically relevant scales of habitat selection. Using elk (Cervus canadensis) as an example species, we sought to test the a
Authors
Caleb P. Roberts, James W. Cain III, Robert D. Cox
Mapping tree density in forests of the southwestern USA using Landsat 8 data
The increase of tree density in forests of the American Southwest promotes extreme fire events, understory biodiversity losses, and degraded habitat conditions for many wildlife species. To ameliorate these changes, managers and scientists have begun planning treatments aimed at reducing fuels and increasing understory biodiversity. However, spatial variability in tree density across the landscape
Authors
Kamal Humagain, Carlos Portillo-Quintero, Robert D. Cox, James W. Cain III
Application of activity sensors for estimating behavioral patterns
The increasing use of Global Positioning System (GPS) collars in habitat selection studies provides large numbers of precise location data points with reduced field effort. However, inclusion of activity sensors in many GPS collars also grants the potential to remotely estimate behavioral state. Thus, only using GPS collars to collect location data belies their full capabilities. Coupling behavior
Authors
Caleb P. Roberts, James W. Cain III, Robert D. Cox
Efficacy of GPS cluster analysis for predicting carnivory sites of a wide-ranging omnivore: the American black bear
The capacity to describe and quantify predation by large carnivores expanded considerably with the advent of GPS technology. Analyzing clusters of GPS locations formed by carnivores facilitates the detection of predation events by identifying characteristics which distinguish predation sites. We present a performance assessment of GPS cluster analysis as applied to the predation and scavenging of
Authors
Sarah R. Kindschuh, James W. Cain III, David Daniel, Mark A. Peyton
Desert bighorn sheep lambing habitat: Parturition, nursery, and predation sites
Fitness of female ungulates is determined by neonate survival and lifetime reproductive success. Therefore, adult female ungulates should adopt behaviors and habitat selection patterns that enhance survival of neonates during parturition and lactation. Parturition site location may play an important role in neonatal mortality of desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis mexicana) when lambs are especi
Authors
Rebekah C. Karsch, James W. Cain III, Eric M. Rominger, Elise J. Goldstein
Potential foraging decisions by a desert ungulate to balance water and nutrient intake in a water-stressed environment
Arid climates have unpredictable precipitation patterns, and wildlife managers often provide supplemental water to help desert ungulates endure the hottest, driest periods. When surface water is unavailable, the only source of water for ungulates comes from the forage they consume, and they must make resourceful foraging decisions to meet their requirements. We compared two desert bighorn sheep (O
Authors
Jay V. Gedir, James W. Cain III, Paul R. Krausman, Jamison D. Allen, Glenn C. Duff, John R. Morgart
Estimating black bear density in New Mexico using noninvasive genetic sampling coupled with spatially explicit capture-recapture methods
During the 2004–2005 to 2015–2016 hunting seasons, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) estimated black bear abundance (Ursus americanus) across the state by coupling density estimates with the distribution of primary habitat generated by Costello et al. (2001). These estimates have been used to set harvest limits. For example, a density of 17 bears/100 km2 for the Sangre de Cristo a
Authors
Matthew J. Gould, James W. Cain III, Gary W. Roemer, William R. Gould
Genetic structure and viability selection in the golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), a vagile raptor with a Holarctic distribution
Molecular markers can reveal interesting aspects of organismal ecology and evolution, especially when surveyed in rare or elusive species. Herein, we provide a preliminary assessment of golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) population structure in North America using novel single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). These SNPs included one molecular sexing marker, two mitochondrial markers, 85 putatively n
Authors
Jacqueline M. Doyle, Todd E. Katzner, Gary Roemer, James W. Cain III, Brian Millsap, Carol McIntyre, Sarah A. Sonsthagen, Nadia B. Fernandez, Maria Wheeler, Zafer Bulut, Peter Bloom, J. Andrew DeWoody
Effects of climate change on long-term population growth of pronghorn in an arid environment
Climate often drives ungulate population dynamics, and as climates change, some areas may become unsuitable for species persistence. Unraveling the relationships between climate and population dynamics, and projecting them across time, advances ecological understanding that informs and steers sustainable conservation for species. Using pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) as an ecological model, we u
Authors
Jay V. Gedir, James W. Cain III, Grant Harris, Trey T. Turnbull
Science and Products
- Science
- Data
No Result Found
- Publications
Filter Total Items: 46
Predicting spatial factors associated with cattle depredations by the Mexican wolf (Canis lupus baileyi) with recommendations for depredation risk modeling
AimPredation on livestock is one of the primary concerns for Mexican wolf (Canis lupus baileyi) recovery because it causes economic losses and negative attitudes toward wolves. Our objectives were to develop a spatial risk model of cattle depredation by Mexican wolves in the USA portion of their recovery area to help reduce the potential for future depredations.LocationArizona and New Mexico, USA.AuthorsReza Goljani Amirkhiz, Jennifer K. Frey, James W. Cain III, Stewart W. Breck, David L. BergmanDiet composition, quality and overlap of sympatric American pronghorn and gemsbok
Species with a long evolutionary history of sympatry often have mechanisms for resource partitioning that reduce competition. However, introduced non-native ungulates often compete with native ungulates and competitive effects can be exacerbated in arid regions due to low primary productivity. Our objectives were to characterize diet composition, quality, and overlap between American pronghorn AntAuthorsJames W. Cain III, Mindi M. Avery, Colleen A. Caldwell, Laurie B. Abbott, Jerry L. HolechekExtreme precipitation variability, forage quality and large herbivore diet selection in arid environments
Nutritional ecology forms the interface between environmental variability and large herbivore behaviour, life history characteristics, and population dynamics. Forage conditions in arid and semi-arid regions are driven by unpredictable spatial and temporal patterns in rainfall. Diet selection by herbivores should be directed towards overcoming the most pressing nutritional limitation (i.e. energy,AuthorsJames W. Cain III, Jay V. Gedir, Jason P. Marshal, Paul R. Krausman, Jamison D. Allen, Glenn C. Duff, Brian Jansen, John R. MorgartIdentifying ecologically relevant scales of habitat selection: diel habitat selection in elk
Although organisms make resource selection decisions at multiple spatiotemporal scales, not all scales are ecologically relevant to any given organism. Ecological patterns and rhythms such as behavioral and climatic patterns may provide a consistent method for identifying ecologically relevant scales of habitat selection. Using elk (Cervus canadensis) as an example species, we sought to test the aAuthorsCaleb P. Roberts, James W. Cain III, Robert D. CoxMapping tree density in forests of the southwestern USA using Landsat 8 data
The increase of tree density in forests of the American Southwest promotes extreme fire events, understory biodiversity losses, and degraded habitat conditions for many wildlife species. To ameliorate these changes, managers and scientists have begun planning treatments aimed at reducing fuels and increasing understory biodiversity. However, spatial variability in tree density across the landscapeAuthorsKamal Humagain, Carlos Portillo-Quintero, Robert D. Cox, James W. Cain IIIApplication of activity sensors for estimating behavioral patterns
The increasing use of Global Positioning System (GPS) collars in habitat selection studies provides large numbers of precise location data points with reduced field effort. However, inclusion of activity sensors in many GPS collars also grants the potential to remotely estimate behavioral state. Thus, only using GPS collars to collect location data belies their full capabilities. Coupling behaviorAuthorsCaleb P. Roberts, James W. Cain III, Robert D. CoxEfficacy of GPS cluster analysis for predicting carnivory sites of a wide-ranging omnivore: the American black bear
The capacity to describe and quantify predation by large carnivores expanded considerably with the advent of GPS technology. Analyzing clusters of GPS locations formed by carnivores facilitates the detection of predation events by identifying characteristics which distinguish predation sites. We present a performance assessment of GPS cluster analysis as applied to the predation and scavenging ofAuthorsSarah R. Kindschuh, James W. Cain III, David Daniel, Mark A. PeytonDesert bighorn sheep lambing habitat: Parturition, nursery, and predation sites
Fitness of female ungulates is determined by neonate survival and lifetime reproductive success. Therefore, adult female ungulates should adopt behaviors and habitat selection patterns that enhance survival of neonates during parturition and lactation. Parturition site location may play an important role in neonatal mortality of desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis mexicana) when lambs are especiAuthorsRebekah C. Karsch, James W. Cain III, Eric M. Rominger, Elise J. GoldsteinPotential foraging decisions by a desert ungulate to balance water and nutrient intake in a water-stressed environment
Arid climates have unpredictable precipitation patterns, and wildlife managers often provide supplemental water to help desert ungulates endure the hottest, driest periods. When surface water is unavailable, the only source of water for ungulates comes from the forage they consume, and they must make resourceful foraging decisions to meet their requirements. We compared two desert bighorn sheep (OAuthorsJay V. Gedir, James W. Cain III, Paul R. Krausman, Jamison D. Allen, Glenn C. Duff, John R. MorgartEstimating black bear density in New Mexico using noninvasive genetic sampling coupled with spatially explicit capture-recapture methods
During the 2004–2005 to 2015–2016 hunting seasons, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) estimated black bear abundance (Ursus americanus) across the state by coupling density estimates with the distribution of primary habitat generated by Costello et al. (2001). These estimates have been used to set harvest limits. For example, a density of 17 bears/100 km2 for the Sangre de Cristo aAuthorsMatthew J. Gould, James W. Cain III, Gary W. Roemer, William R. GouldGenetic structure and viability selection in the golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), a vagile raptor with a Holarctic distribution
Molecular markers can reveal interesting aspects of organismal ecology and evolution, especially when surveyed in rare or elusive species. Herein, we provide a preliminary assessment of golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) population structure in North America using novel single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). These SNPs included one molecular sexing marker, two mitochondrial markers, 85 putatively nAuthorsJacqueline M. Doyle, Todd E. Katzner, Gary Roemer, James W. Cain III, Brian Millsap, Carol McIntyre, Sarah A. Sonsthagen, Nadia B. Fernandez, Maria Wheeler, Zafer Bulut, Peter Bloom, J. Andrew DeWoodyEffects of climate change on long-term population growth of pronghorn in an arid environment
Climate often drives ungulate population dynamics, and as climates change, some areas may become unsuitable for species persistence. Unraveling the relationships between climate and population dynamics, and projecting them across time, advances ecological understanding that informs and steers sustainable conservation for species. Using pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) as an ecological model, we uAuthorsJay V. Gedir, James W. Cain III, Grant Harris, Trey T. Turnbull