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
On the use of attractor dimension as a feature in structural health monitoring On the use of attractor dimension as a feature in structural health monitoring
Recent works in the vibration-based structural health monitoring community have emphasised the use of correlation dimension as a discriminating statistic in seperating a damaged from undamaged response. This paper explores the utility of attractor dimension as a 'feature' and offers some comparisons between different metrics reflecting dimension. This focus is on evaluating the...
Authors
J.M. Nichols, L.N. Virgin, M.D. Todd, J.D. Nichols
Temporal variability of local abundance, sex ratio and activity in the Sardinian chalk hill blue butterfly Temporal variability of local abundance, sex ratio and activity in the Sardinian chalk hill blue butterfly
When capturing and marking of individuals is possible, the application of newly developed capture-recapture models can remove several sources of bias in the estimation of population parameters such as local abundance and sex ratio. For example, observation of distorted sex ratios in counts or captures can reflect either different abundances of the sexes or different sex-specific capture
Authors
P. Casula, J.D. Nichols
Spring hunting changes the regional movements of migrating greater snow geese Spring hunting changes the regional movements of migrating greater snow geese
1. Human-induced disturbance such as hunting may influence the migratory behaviour of long-distance migrants. In 1999 and 2000 a spring hunt of greater snow geese Anser caerulescens atlanticus occurred for the first time in North America since 1916, aimed at stopping population growth to protect natural habitats. 2. We evaluated the impact of this hunt on the staging movements of geese...
Authors
A. Bechet, J.-F. Giroux, G. Gauthier, J.D. Nichols, J.E. Hines
Estimation by capture-recapture of recruitment and dispersal over several sites Estimation by capture-recapture of recruitment and dispersal over several sites
Dispersal in animal populations is intimately linked with accession to reproduction, i.e. recruitment, and population regulation. Dispersal processes are thus a key component of population dynamics to the same extent as reproduction or mortality processes. Despite the growing interest in spatial aspects of population dynamics, the methodology for estimating dispersal, in particular in...
Authors
J.D. Lebreton, J.E. Hines, R. Pradel, J.D. Nichols, J. A. Spendelow
Adjusting multistate capture-recapture models for misclassification bias: manatee breeding proportions Adjusting multistate capture-recapture models for misclassification bias: manatee breeding proportions
Matrix population models are important tools for research and management of populations. Estimating the parameters of these models is an important step in applying them to real populations. Multistate capture-recapture methods have provided a useful means for estimating survival and parameters of transition between locations or life history states but have mostly relied on the assumption...
Authors
W. L. Kendall, J.E. Hines, J.D. Nichols
Science deficiency in conservation practice: the monitoring of tiger populations in India Science deficiency in conservation practice: the monitoring of tiger populations in India
Conservation practices are supposed to get refined by advancing scientific knowledge. We study this phenomenon in the context of monitoring tiger populations in India, by evaluating the 'pugmark census method' employed by wildlife managers for three decades. We use an analytical framework of modem animal population sampling to test the efficacy of the pugmark censuses using scientific...
Authors
K. U. Karanth, J.D. Nichols, J. Seidensticker, Eric Dinerstein, J.L.D. Smith, C. McDougal, A.J.T. Johnsingh, Raghunandan S. Chundawat, V. Thapar
Estimating rates of local extinction and colonization in colonial species and an extension to the metapopulation and community levels Estimating rates of local extinction and colonization in colonial species and an extension to the metapopulation and community levels
Coloniality has mainly been studied from an evolutionary perspective, but relatively few studies have developed methods for modelling colony dynamics. Changes in number of colonies over time provide a useful tool for predicting and evaluating the responses of colonial species to management and to environmental disturbance. Probabilistic Markov process models have been recently used to...
Authors
C. Barbraud, J.D. Nichols, J.E. Hines, H. Hafner
Factors affecting breeding dispersal of European ducks on Engure Marsh, Latvia Factors affecting breeding dispersal of European ducks on Engure Marsh, Latvia
1. We used up to 35 years of capture-recapture data from nearly 3300 individual female ducks nesting on Engure Marsh, Latvia, and multistate modelling to test predictions about the influence of environmental, habitat and management factors on breeding dispersal probability within the marsh. 2. Analyses based on observed dispersal distances of common pochards and tufted ducks provided no...
Authors
Peter Blums, J.D. Nichols, M. S. Lindberg, J.E. Hines, Aivars Mednis
On the estimation of species richness based on the accumulation of previously unrecorded species On the estimation of species richness based on the accumulation of previously unrecorded species
Estimation of species richness of local communities has become an important topic in community ecology and monitoring. Investigators can seldom enumerate all the species present in the area of interest during sampling sessions. If the location of interest is sampled repeatedly within a short time period, the number of new species recorded is typically largest in the initial sample and...
Authors
E. Cam, J.D. Nichols, J.R. Sauer, J.E. Hines
The use of resighting data to estimate the rate of population growth of the snail kite in Florida The use of resighting data to estimate the rate of population growth of the snail kite in Florida
The rate of population growth (lambda) is an important demographic parameter used to assess the viability of a population and to develop management and conservation agendas. We examined the use of resighting data to estimate lambda for the snail kite population in Florida from 1997-2000. The analyses consisted of (1) a robust design approach that derives an estimate of lambda from...
Authors
V.J. Dreitz, J.D. Nichols, J.E. Hines, R.E. Bennetts, W.M. Kitchens, D.L. DeAngelis
Large scale wildlife monitoring studies: Statistical methods for design and analysis Large scale wildlife monitoring studies: Statistical methods for design and analysis
Techniques for estimation of absolute abundance of wildlife populations have received a lot of attention in recent years. The statistical research has been focused on intensive small-scale studies. Recently, however, wildlife biologists have desired to study populations of animals at very large scales for monitoring purposes. Population indices are widely used in these extensive...
Authors
K. H. Pollock, J.D. Nichols, T.R. Simons, G.L. Farnsworth, L.L. Bailey, J.R. Sauer
Disentangling sampling and ecological explanations underlying species-area relationships Disentangling sampling and ecological explanations underlying species-area relationships
We used a probabilistic approach to address the influence of sampling artifacts on the form of species-area relationships (SARs). We developed a model in which the increase in observed species richness is a function of sampling effort exclusively. We assumed that effort depends on area sampled, and we generated species-area curves under that model. These curves can be realistic looking...
Authors
E. Cam, J.D. Nichols, J.E. Hines, J.R. Sauer, R. Alpizar-Jara, C.H. Flather
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 418
On the use of attractor dimension as a feature in structural health monitoring On the use of attractor dimension as a feature in structural health monitoring
Recent works in the vibration-based structural health monitoring community have emphasised the use of correlation dimension as a discriminating statistic in seperating a damaged from undamaged response. This paper explores the utility of attractor dimension as a 'feature' and offers some comparisons between different metrics reflecting dimension. This focus is on evaluating the...
Authors
J.M. Nichols, L.N. Virgin, M.D. Todd, J.D. Nichols
Temporal variability of local abundance, sex ratio and activity in the Sardinian chalk hill blue butterfly Temporal variability of local abundance, sex ratio and activity in the Sardinian chalk hill blue butterfly
When capturing and marking of individuals is possible, the application of newly developed capture-recapture models can remove several sources of bias in the estimation of population parameters such as local abundance and sex ratio. For example, observation of distorted sex ratios in counts or captures can reflect either different abundances of the sexes or different sex-specific capture
Authors
P. Casula, J.D. Nichols
Spring hunting changes the regional movements of migrating greater snow geese Spring hunting changes the regional movements of migrating greater snow geese
1. Human-induced disturbance such as hunting may influence the migratory behaviour of long-distance migrants. In 1999 and 2000 a spring hunt of greater snow geese Anser caerulescens atlanticus occurred for the first time in North America since 1916, aimed at stopping population growth to protect natural habitats. 2. We evaluated the impact of this hunt on the staging movements of geese...
Authors
A. Bechet, J.-F. Giroux, G. Gauthier, J.D. Nichols, J.E. Hines
Estimation by capture-recapture of recruitment and dispersal over several sites Estimation by capture-recapture of recruitment and dispersal over several sites
Dispersal in animal populations is intimately linked with accession to reproduction, i.e. recruitment, and population regulation. Dispersal processes are thus a key component of population dynamics to the same extent as reproduction or mortality processes. Despite the growing interest in spatial aspects of population dynamics, the methodology for estimating dispersal, in particular in...
Authors
J.D. Lebreton, J.E. Hines, R. Pradel, J.D. Nichols, J. A. Spendelow
Adjusting multistate capture-recapture models for misclassification bias: manatee breeding proportions Adjusting multistate capture-recapture models for misclassification bias: manatee breeding proportions
Matrix population models are important tools for research and management of populations. Estimating the parameters of these models is an important step in applying them to real populations. Multistate capture-recapture methods have provided a useful means for estimating survival and parameters of transition between locations or life history states but have mostly relied on the assumption...
Authors
W. L. Kendall, J.E. Hines, J.D. Nichols
Science deficiency in conservation practice: the monitoring of tiger populations in India Science deficiency in conservation practice: the monitoring of tiger populations in India
Conservation practices are supposed to get refined by advancing scientific knowledge. We study this phenomenon in the context of monitoring tiger populations in India, by evaluating the 'pugmark census method' employed by wildlife managers for three decades. We use an analytical framework of modem animal population sampling to test the efficacy of the pugmark censuses using scientific...
Authors
K. U. Karanth, J.D. Nichols, J. Seidensticker, Eric Dinerstein, J.L.D. Smith, C. McDougal, A.J.T. Johnsingh, Raghunandan S. Chundawat, V. Thapar
Estimating rates of local extinction and colonization in colonial species and an extension to the metapopulation and community levels Estimating rates of local extinction and colonization in colonial species and an extension to the metapopulation and community levels
Coloniality has mainly been studied from an evolutionary perspective, but relatively few studies have developed methods for modelling colony dynamics. Changes in number of colonies over time provide a useful tool for predicting and evaluating the responses of colonial species to management and to environmental disturbance. Probabilistic Markov process models have been recently used to...
Authors
C. Barbraud, J.D. Nichols, J.E. Hines, H. Hafner
Factors affecting breeding dispersal of European ducks on Engure Marsh, Latvia Factors affecting breeding dispersal of European ducks on Engure Marsh, Latvia
1. We used up to 35 years of capture-recapture data from nearly 3300 individual female ducks nesting on Engure Marsh, Latvia, and multistate modelling to test predictions about the influence of environmental, habitat and management factors on breeding dispersal probability within the marsh. 2. Analyses based on observed dispersal distances of common pochards and tufted ducks provided no...
Authors
Peter Blums, J.D. Nichols, M. S. Lindberg, J.E. Hines, Aivars Mednis
On the estimation of species richness based on the accumulation of previously unrecorded species On the estimation of species richness based on the accumulation of previously unrecorded species
Estimation of species richness of local communities has become an important topic in community ecology and monitoring. Investigators can seldom enumerate all the species present in the area of interest during sampling sessions. If the location of interest is sampled repeatedly within a short time period, the number of new species recorded is typically largest in the initial sample and...
Authors
E. Cam, J.D. Nichols, J.R. Sauer, J.E. Hines
The use of resighting data to estimate the rate of population growth of the snail kite in Florida The use of resighting data to estimate the rate of population growth of the snail kite in Florida
The rate of population growth (lambda) is an important demographic parameter used to assess the viability of a population and to develop management and conservation agendas. We examined the use of resighting data to estimate lambda for the snail kite population in Florida from 1997-2000. The analyses consisted of (1) a robust design approach that derives an estimate of lambda from...
Authors
V.J. Dreitz, J.D. Nichols, J.E. Hines, R.E. Bennetts, W.M. Kitchens, D.L. DeAngelis
Large scale wildlife monitoring studies: Statistical methods for design and analysis Large scale wildlife monitoring studies: Statistical methods for design and analysis
Techniques for estimation of absolute abundance of wildlife populations have received a lot of attention in recent years. The statistical research has been focused on intensive small-scale studies. Recently, however, wildlife biologists have desired to study populations of animals at very large scales for monitoring purposes. Population indices are widely used in these extensive...
Authors
K. H. Pollock, J.D. Nichols, T.R. Simons, G.L. Farnsworth, L.L. Bailey, J.R. Sauer
Disentangling sampling and ecological explanations underlying species-area relationships Disentangling sampling and ecological explanations underlying species-area relationships
We used a probabilistic approach to address the influence of sampling artifacts on the form of species-area relationships (SARs). We developed a model in which the increase in observed species richness is a function of sampling effort exclusively. We assumed that effort depends on area sampled, and we generated species-area curves under that model. These curves can be realistic looking...
Authors
E. Cam, J.D. Nichols, J.E. Hines, J.R. Sauer, R. Alpizar-Jara, C.H. Flather