James Nichols, Ph.D.
Dr. Jim Nichols conducts research on animal population dynamics and management
Recent Accomplishments
Education
- B.S. Wake Forest University, Biology, 1971
- M.S. Louisiana State University, Wildlife Management, 1973
- Ph.D. Michigan State University, Wildlife Ecology, 1976
Professional Studies/Experience
- Adaptive management and assessment of habitat changes on migratory birds
- Development of models of mallard population dynamics for adaptive harvest management
- Development of methods to estimate parameters associated with animal population dynamics
- Statistical methods for species richness estimation
- Technical Assistance -Tiger Monitoring and Population Research
- Development of methods for estimating patch occupancy and patch-dynamic parameters from detection-nondetection survey data
- Development of methods to estimate species richness and community-dynamic parameters from species list data
Mentorship/Outreach
Professional societies/affiliations/committees/editorial boardsScientific/Oral Presentations, Abstracts
Honors, awards, recognition, elected offices
- 2005 - U.S. Presidential Rank Award (Meritorious Senior Professional)
- 2004 - U.S. Geological Survey Meritorious Service Award
- 2004 - IFAS Scholar Award, University of Florida
- 1998 - Promoted to Senior Scientist, U.S. Geological Survey
- 1991 - The George W. Snedecor Award of the American Statistical Association
- 1991 - The Wildlife Society's Wildlife Publication Award for Monograph
- 1984 - Southeastern Section of the Wildlife Society, Outstanding Publication Award
Scientific/Oral Presentations, Abstracts
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 418
Genetic introgression and the survival of Florida panther kittens Genetic introgression and the survival of Florida panther kittens
Estimates of survival for the young of a species are critical for population models. These models can often be improved by determining the effects of management actions and population abundance on this demographic parameter. We used multiple sources of data collected during 1982–2008 and a live-recapture dead-recovery modeling framework to estimate and model survival of Florida panther...
Authors
J. A. Hostetler, David P. Onorato, James D. Nichols, Warren E. Johnson, Melody E. Roelke, Stephen J. O’Brien, Deborah Jansen, Madan K. Oli
Simultaneous modeling of habitat suitability, occupancy, and relative abundance: African elephants in Zimbabwe Simultaneous modeling of habitat suitability, occupancy, and relative abundance: African elephants in Zimbabwe
The recent development of statistical models such as dynamic site occupancy models provides the opportunity to address fairly complex management and conservation problems with relatively simple models. However, surprisingly few empirical studies have simultaneously modeled habitat suitability and occupancy status of organisms over large landscapes for management purposes. Joint modeling...
Authors
Julien Martin, Simon Chamaille-Jammes, James D. Nichols, Herve Fritz, James E. Hines, Christopher J. Fonnesbeck, Darryl I. MacKenzie, Larissa L. Bailey
Filling a void: abundance estimation of North American populations of arctic geese using hunter recoveries Filling a void: abundance estimation of North American populations of arctic geese using hunter recoveries
We consider use of recoveries of marked birds harvested by hunters, in conjunction with continental harvest estimates, for drawing inferences about continental abundance of a select number of goose species. We review assumptions of this method, a version of the Lincoln?Petersen approach, and consider its utility as a tool for making decisions about harvest management in comparison to...
Authors
R.T. Alisauskas, K.L. Drake, J.D. Nichols
Estimating latent time of maturation and survival costs of reproduction in continuous time from capture-recapture data Estimating latent time of maturation and survival costs of reproduction in continuous time from capture-recapture data
In many species, age or time of maturation and survival costs of reproduction may vary substantially within and among populations. We present a capture-mark-recapture model to estimate the latent individual trait distribution of time of maturation (or other irreversible transitions) as well as survival differences associated with the two states (representing costs of reproduction)...
Authors
T. Ergon, Nigel G. Yoccoz, J.D. Nichols
Inferences about landbird abundance from count data: recent advances and future directions Inferences about landbird abundance from count data: recent advances and future directions
We summarize results of a November 2006 workshop dealing with recent research on the estimation of landbird abundance from count data. Our conceptual framework includes a decomposition of the probability of detecting a bird potentially exposed to sampling efforts into four separate probabilities. Primary inference methods are described and include distance sampling, multiple observers...
Authors
J.D. Nichols, L. Thomas, P.B. Conn
Perturbation analysis for patch occupancy dynamics Perturbation analysis for patch occupancy dynamics
Perturbation analysis is a powerful tool to study population and community dynamics. This article describes expressions for sensitivity metrics reflecting changes in equilibrium occupancy resulting from small changes in the vital rates of patch occupancy dynamics (i.e., probabilities of local patch colonization and extinction). We illustrate our approach with a case study of occupancy...
Authors
Julien Martin, James D. Nichols, Carol L. McIntyre, Goncalo Ferraz, James E. Hines
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 418
Genetic introgression and the survival of Florida panther kittens Genetic introgression and the survival of Florida panther kittens
Estimates of survival for the young of a species are critical for population models. These models can often be improved by determining the effects of management actions and population abundance on this demographic parameter. We used multiple sources of data collected during 1982–2008 and a live-recapture dead-recovery modeling framework to estimate and model survival of Florida panther...
Authors
J. A. Hostetler, David P. Onorato, James D. Nichols, Warren E. Johnson, Melody E. Roelke, Stephen J. O’Brien, Deborah Jansen, Madan K. Oli
Simultaneous modeling of habitat suitability, occupancy, and relative abundance: African elephants in Zimbabwe Simultaneous modeling of habitat suitability, occupancy, and relative abundance: African elephants in Zimbabwe
The recent development of statistical models such as dynamic site occupancy models provides the opportunity to address fairly complex management and conservation problems with relatively simple models. However, surprisingly few empirical studies have simultaneously modeled habitat suitability and occupancy status of organisms over large landscapes for management purposes. Joint modeling...
Authors
Julien Martin, Simon Chamaille-Jammes, James D. Nichols, Herve Fritz, James E. Hines, Christopher J. Fonnesbeck, Darryl I. MacKenzie, Larissa L. Bailey
Filling a void: abundance estimation of North American populations of arctic geese using hunter recoveries Filling a void: abundance estimation of North American populations of arctic geese using hunter recoveries
We consider use of recoveries of marked birds harvested by hunters, in conjunction with continental harvest estimates, for drawing inferences about continental abundance of a select number of goose species. We review assumptions of this method, a version of the Lincoln?Petersen approach, and consider its utility as a tool for making decisions about harvest management in comparison to...
Authors
R.T. Alisauskas, K.L. Drake, J.D. Nichols
Estimating latent time of maturation and survival costs of reproduction in continuous time from capture-recapture data Estimating latent time of maturation and survival costs of reproduction in continuous time from capture-recapture data
In many species, age or time of maturation and survival costs of reproduction may vary substantially within and among populations. We present a capture-mark-recapture model to estimate the latent individual trait distribution of time of maturation (or other irreversible transitions) as well as survival differences associated with the two states (representing costs of reproduction)...
Authors
T. Ergon, Nigel G. Yoccoz, J.D. Nichols
Inferences about landbird abundance from count data: recent advances and future directions Inferences about landbird abundance from count data: recent advances and future directions
We summarize results of a November 2006 workshop dealing with recent research on the estimation of landbird abundance from count data. Our conceptual framework includes a decomposition of the probability of detecting a bird potentially exposed to sampling efforts into four separate probabilities. Primary inference methods are described and include distance sampling, multiple observers...
Authors
J.D. Nichols, L. Thomas, P.B. Conn
Perturbation analysis for patch occupancy dynamics Perturbation analysis for patch occupancy dynamics
Perturbation analysis is a powerful tool to study population and community dynamics. This article describes expressions for sensitivity metrics reflecting changes in equilibrium occupancy resulting from small changes in the vital rates of patch occupancy dynamics (i.e., probabilities of local patch colonization and extinction). We illustrate our approach with a case study of occupancy...
Authors
Julien Martin, James D. Nichols, Carol L. McIntyre, Goncalo Ferraz, James E. Hines