James Grace, Ph.D.
James Grace is a Senior Research Scientist at the USGS Wetland and Aquatic Research Center.
BACKGROUND
2015 - present Senior Research Scientist. U.S. Geological Survey, ST
2002 - 2014 Senior Research Ecologist, U.S. Geological Survey, GS-15
1993 - 2019 Adjunct Professor, Department of Biology, University of Louisiana
2002 – 2005 Affiliate Faculty, School of Renewable Natural Resources, LSU
1992 - 2002 Research Ecologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Biological Division
1990 - 1993 Professor, Department of Botany, Louisiana State University
1985 - 1990 Associate Professor, Department of Botany, Louisiana State Univ.
1989 Visiting Professor, Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium
1986 Visiting Scientist, Div. Wildlife, CSIRO, Darwin, Australia
1980‑1985 Assistant Professor, Dept. Botany and Microbiology, Univ. Arkansas summer
After graduate school, he held faculty positions at the University of Arkansas and Louisiana State University, where he reached the level of Full Professor. In 2000, he received the millennium Meritorious Research Award from the Society of Wetland Scientists and in 2003 received the National Science Excellence Award from the U.S. Geological Survey. He was selected to be a Fellow of the Ecological Society of America and promoted to the Senior Scientist ranks in 2014. Since 2019 he has been designated as a ‘Highly-Cited Researcher’ by the Web of Science in recognition of his scientific impact during the past decade. In 2021 he received the Presidential Rank Award, which is given out by the President of the United States and is the highest performance award given to career senior scientists and administrators. He has published over 200 papers and reports, including 3 books, one on competitive interactions, one on community analysis, and one on structural equation modeling. As of 2020, Grace has given over 200 invited lectures and workshops in 9 countries during his career.
For more information, search 'Jim Grace USGS'.
Education and Certifications
Ph.D., Michigan State University
M.S., Clemson University
B.S., Biology, Presbyterian College
Science and Products
Regional and local species richness in an insular environment: Serpentine plants in California
Invasion in a diversity hotspot: Exotic cover and native richness in the Californian serpentine flora
A structural equation model analysis of postfire plant diversity in California shrublands
Habitat associations of chorusing anurans in the Lower Mississippi River Alluvial valley
A structural equation model analysis of postfire plant diversity in California shrublands
Evaluation of non-destructive methods for estimating biomass in marshes of the upper Texas, USA coast
A multivariate model of plant species richness in forested systems: Old-growth montane forests with a long history of fire
Interpreting the results from multiple regression and structural equation models
Effects of prescribed fire in the coastal prairies of Texas
Fine-scale spatial variation in plant species richness and its relationship to environmental conditions in coastal marshlands
Biodiversity and ecosystem functioning: Synthesis and perspectives
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Regional and local species richness in an insular environment: Serpentine plants in California
We asked how the richness of the specialized (endemic) flora of serpentine rock outcrops in California varies at both the regional and local scales. Our study had two goals: first, to test whether endemic richness is affected by spatial habitat structure (e.g., regional serpentine area, local serpentine outcrop area, regional and local measures of outcrop isolation), and second, to conduct this teAuthorsS. Harrison, H.D. Safford, J.B. Grace, J.H. Viers, K.F. DaviesInvasion in a diversity hotspot: Exotic cover and native richness in the Californian serpentine flora
Exotic species have been observed to be more prevalent in sites where the richness of native species is highest, possibly reflecting variation among sites in resources, propagule supply, heterogeneity, or disturbance. However, such a pattern leaves unclear whether natives at species-rich sites are subject to especially severe impacts from exotics as a result. We considered this question using pathAuthorsS. Harrison, J.B. Grace, K.F. Davies, H.D. Safford, J.H. ViersA structural equation model analysis of postfire plant diversity in California shrublands
This study investigates patterns of plant diversity following wildfires in fire-prone shrublands of California, seeks to understand those patterns in terms of both local and landscape factors, and considers the implications for fire management. Ninety study sites were established following extensive wildfires in 1993, and 1000-m2 plots were used to sample a variety of parameters. Data on communityAuthorsJ.B. Grace, J. E. KeeleyHabitat associations of chorusing anurans in the Lower Mississippi River Alluvial valley
Amphibian populations have declined worldwide. To pursue conservation efforts adequately, land managers need more information concerning amphibian habitat requirements. To address this need, we examined relationships between anurans and habitat characteristics of wetlands in the Lower Mississippi River Alluvial Valley (LMAV). We surveyed chorusing anurans in 31 wetlands in 2000 and 28 wetlands inAuthorsJ.S. Lichtenberg, S.L. King, J.B. Grace, S.C. WallsA structural equation model analysis of postfire plant diversity in California shrublands
This study investigates patterns of plant diversity following wildfires in fire‐prone shrublands of California, seeks to understand those patterns in terms of both local and landscape factors, and considers the implications for fire management. Ninety study sites were established following extensive wildfires in 1993, and 1000‐m2 plots were used to sample a variety of parameters. Data on communityAuthorsJ.B. Grace, J. E. KeeleyEvaluation of non-destructive methods for estimating biomass in marshes of the upper Texas, USA coast
The estimation of aboveground biomass is important in the management of natural resources. Direct measurements by clipping, drying, and weighing of herbaceous vegetation are time-consuming and costly. Therefore, non-destructive methods for efficiently and accurately estimating biomass are of interest. We compared two non-destructive methods, visual obstruction and light penetration, for estimatingAuthorsM. Whitbeck, J.B. GraceA multivariate model of plant species richness in forested systems: Old-growth montane forests with a long history of fire
Recently, efforts to develop multivariate models of plant species richness have been extended to include systems where trees play important roles as overstory elements mediating the influences of environment and disturbance on understory richness. We used structural equation modeling to examine the relationship of understory vascular plant species richness to understory abundance, forest structureAuthorsD.C. Laughlin, J.B. GraceInterpreting the results from multiple regression and structural equation models
No abstract available.AuthorsJames B. Grace, Kenneth A. BollenEffects of prescribed fire in the coastal prairies of Texas
Prescribed fire is widely applied for habitat management in coastal ecosystems. Fire management plans typically list a variety of objectives for prescribed burning, including succession management, promotion of native flora and fauna, providing habitat for species of importance, wildfire risk reduction (fuels management), as well as reduction and/or prevention of invasive species. In most cases, tAuthorsJames B. Grace, Larry K. Allain, Heather Q. Baldwin, Arlene G. Billock, William R. Eddleman, Aaron M. Given, Clint W. Jeske, Rebecca MossFine-scale spatial variation in plant species richness and its relationship to environmental conditions in coastal marshlands
Previous studies have shown that variations in environmental conditions play a major role in explaining variations in plant species richness at community and landscape scales. In this study, we considered the degree to which fine-scale spatial variations in richness could be related to fine-scale variations in abiotic and biotic factors. To examine spatial variation in richness, grids of 1 m2 plotAuthorsJ.E. Mancera, G.C. Meche, P.P. Cardona-Olarte, E. Castaneda-Moya, R.L. Chiasson, N.A. Geddes, L.M. Schile, H.G. Wang, G.R. Guntenspergen, J.B. GraceBiodiversity and ecosystem functioning: Synthesis and perspectives
Does diversity matter in restored communities? This edited book explores the diversity–function debate, which has raged in ecology during the past several decades. The diversity–function question is relevant in restoration, but the question has not yet received a straightforward hearing in the field of restoration science. None of the authors of this book explicitly relate their ideas to restoratiAuthorsBeth A. Middleton, James B. Grace - News