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: 417
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
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
Estimating abundance from repeated presence-absence data or point counts Estimating abundance from repeated presence-absence data or point counts
We describe an approach for estimating occupancy rate or the proportion of area occupied when heterogeneity in detection probability exists as a result of variation in abundance of the organism under study. The key feature of such problems, which we exploit, is that variation in abundance induces variation in detection probability. Thus, heterogeneity in abundance can be modeled as...
Authors
J. Andrew Royle, J.D. Nichols
Estimation of change in populations and communities from monitoring survey data Estimation of change in populations and communities from monitoring survey data
Monitoring surveys provide fundamental information for use in environmental decision making by permitting assessment of both current population (or community) status and change in status, by providing a historical context of the present status, and by documenting response to ongoing management. Conservation of species and communities has historically been based upon monitoring...
Authors
J.R. Sauer, W.A. Link, J.D. Nichols
On the use of the robust design with transient capture-recapture models On the use of the robust design with transient capture-recapture models
Capture-mark-recapture studies provide a useful mechanism for estimating the components of the population dynamics of birds, especially survival. In such studies, it is important that the population being captured matches the population of interest. In many studies, transients are captured along with the population of interest (e.g. resident breeders). Ignoring that phenomenon produces
Authors
J.E. Hines, W. L. Kendall, J.D. Nichols
Analysis and Management of Animal Populations: Modeling, Estimation and Decision Making Analysis and Management of Animal Populations: Modeling, Estimation and Decision Making
This book deals with the processes involved in making informed decisions about the management of animal populations. It covers the modeling of population responses to management actions, the estimation of quantities needed in the modeling effort, and the application of these estimates and models to the development of sound management decisions. The book synthesizes and integrates in a...
Authors
B. Kenneth Williams, J.D. Nichols, M.J. Conroy
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
Modelling postfledging survival and age- specific breeding probabilities in species with delayed maturity: A case study of Roseate Terns at Falkner Island, Connecticut Modelling postfledging survival and age- specific breeding probabilities in species with delayed maturity: A case study of Roseate Terns at Falkner Island, Connecticut
We modelled postfledging survival and age-specific breeding probabilities in endangered Roseate Terns (Sterna dougallii) at Falkner Island, Connecticut, USA using capture-recapture data from 1988-1998 of birds ringed as chicks and as adults. While no individuals bred as 2-year-olds during this period, about three-quarters of the young that survived and returned as 3-year-olds nested, and...
Authors
J. A. Spendelow, J.D. Nichols, J.E. Hines, J.D. Lebreton, R. Pradel
Estimating state-transition probabilities for unobservable states using capture-recapture/resighting data Estimating state-transition probabilities for unobservable states using capture-recapture/resighting data
Temporary emigration was identified some time ago as causing potential problems in capture-recapture studies, and in the last five years approaches have been developed for dealing with special cases of this general problem. Temporary emigration can be viewed more generally as involving transitions to and from an unobservable state, and frequently the state itself is one of biological...
Authors
W. L. Kendall, J.D. Nichols
Spatio-temporal dynamics of species richness in coastal fish communities Spatio-temporal dynamics of species richness in coastal fish communities
Determining patterns of change in species richness and the processes underlying the dynamics of biodiversity are of key interest within the field of ecology, but few studies have investigated the dynamics of vertebrate communities at a decadal temporal scale. Here, we report findings on the spado-temporal variability in the richness and composition of fish communities along the Norwegian
Authors
K. Lekve, T. Boulinier, N. C. Stenseth, J. Gjosaeter, J-M. Fromentin, J.E. Hines, J.D. Nichols
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 417
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
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
Estimating abundance from repeated presence-absence data or point counts Estimating abundance from repeated presence-absence data or point counts
We describe an approach for estimating occupancy rate or the proportion of area occupied when heterogeneity in detection probability exists as a result of variation in abundance of the organism under study. The key feature of such problems, which we exploit, is that variation in abundance induces variation in detection probability. Thus, heterogeneity in abundance can be modeled as...
Authors
J. Andrew Royle, J.D. Nichols
Estimation of change in populations and communities from monitoring survey data Estimation of change in populations and communities from monitoring survey data
Monitoring surveys provide fundamental information for use in environmental decision making by permitting assessment of both current population (or community) status and change in status, by providing a historical context of the present status, and by documenting response to ongoing management. Conservation of species and communities has historically been based upon monitoring...
Authors
J.R. Sauer, W.A. Link, J.D. Nichols
On the use of the robust design with transient capture-recapture models On the use of the robust design with transient capture-recapture models
Capture-mark-recapture studies provide a useful mechanism for estimating the components of the population dynamics of birds, especially survival. In such studies, it is important that the population being captured matches the population of interest. In many studies, transients are captured along with the population of interest (e.g. resident breeders). Ignoring that phenomenon produces
Authors
J.E. Hines, W. L. Kendall, J.D. Nichols
Analysis and Management of Animal Populations: Modeling, Estimation and Decision Making Analysis and Management of Animal Populations: Modeling, Estimation and Decision Making
This book deals with the processes involved in making informed decisions about the management of animal populations. It covers the modeling of population responses to management actions, the estimation of quantities needed in the modeling effort, and the application of these estimates and models to the development of sound management decisions. The book synthesizes and integrates in a...
Authors
B. Kenneth Williams, J.D. Nichols, M.J. Conroy
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
Modelling postfledging survival and age- specific breeding probabilities in species with delayed maturity: A case study of Roseate Terns at Falkner Island, Connecticut Modelling postfledging survival and age- specific breeding probabilities in species with delayed maturity: A case study of Roseate Terns at Falkner Island, Connecticut
We modelled postfledging survival and age-specific breeding probabilities in endangered Roseate Terns (Sterna dougallii) at Falkner Island, Connecticut, USA using capture-recapture data from 1988-1998 of birds ringed as chicks and as adults. While no individuals bred as 2-year-olds during this period, about three-quarters of the young that survived and returned as 3-year-olds nested, and...
Authors
J. A. Spendelow, J.D. Nichols, J.E. Hines, J.D. Lebreton, R. Pradel
Estimating state-transition probabilities for unobservable states using capture-recapture/resighting data Estimating state-transition probabilities for unobservable states using capture-recapture/resighting data
Temporary emigration was identified some time ago as causing potential problems in capture-recapture studies, and in the last five years approaches have been developed for dealing with special cases of this general problem. Temporary emigration can be viewed more generally as involving transitions to and from an unobservable state, and frequently the state itself is one of biological...
Authors
W. L. Kendall, J.D. Nichols
Spatio-temporal dynamics of species richness in coastal fish communities Spatio-temporal dynamics of species richness in coastal fish communities
Determining patterns of change in species richness and the processes underlying the dynamics of biodiversity are of key interest within the field of ecology, but few studies have investigated the dynamics of vertebrate communities at a decadal temporal scale. Here, we report findings on the spado-temporal variability in the richness and composition of fish communities along the Norwegian
Authors
K. Lekve, T. Boulinier, N. C. Stenseth, J. Gjosaeter, J-M. Fromentin, J.E. Hines, J.D. Nichols