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
Statistical concepts: Assessing spatial distributions Statistical concepts: Assessing spatial distributions
Contents: -- Presence-absence surveys -- Mapping the spatial distribution -- Looking ahead -- References
Authors
J.D. Nichols, K. U. Karanth
Population monitoring: a conceptual framework Population monitoring: a conceptual framework
Contents: -- Introduction -- The statistical framework -- References
Authors
J.D. Nichols, K. U. Karanth
Monitoring tigers and prey: conservation needs and managerial constraints Monitoring tigers and prey: conservation needs and managerial constraints
Contents: -- Introduction -- The sampling-based approach to monitoring -- Defining objectives -- Assessing available resources -- Decision making: Matching objectives and resources -- References
Authors
K. U. Karanth, J.D. Nichols, P.K. Sen, V. Rishi
Of bugs and birds: Markov Chain Monte Carlo for hierarchical modeling in wildlife research Of bugs and birds: Markov Chain Monte Carlo for hierarchical modeling in wildlife research
Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) is a statistical innovation that allows researchers to fit far more complex models to data than is feasible using conventional methods. Despite its widespread use in a variety of scientific fields, MCMC appears to be underutilized in wildlife applications. This may be due to a misconception that MCMC requires the adoption of a subjective Bayesian analysis...
Authors
William A. Link, Emmanuelle Cam, James D. Nichols, Evan G. Cooch
Statistical concepts: Estimating absolute densities of tigers using capture-recapture sampling Statistical concepts: Estimating absolute densities of tigers using capture-recapture sampling
Contents: -- Introduction -- Photo trapping tigers -- Capture-recapture models -- Survey design considerations -- Conclusion -- References
Authors
J.D. Nichols, K. U. Karanth
Approaches for the direct estimation of lambda, and demographic contributions to lambda, using capture-recapture data Approaches for the direct estimation of lambda, and demographic contributions to lambda, using capture-recapture data
We first consider the estimation of the finite rate of population increase or population growth rate, u i , using capture-recapture data from open populations. We review estimation and modelling of u i under three main approaches to modelling openpopulation data: the classic approach of Jolly (1965) and Seber (1965), the superpopulation approach of Crosbie & Manly (1985) and Schwarz &...
Authors
James D. Nichols, James E. Hines
Field surveys: Estimating absolute densities of tigers using capture-recapture sampling Field surveys: Estimating absolute densities of tigers using capture-recapture sampling
Contents: -- Introduction -- Choice of camera trap equipment -- Conducting camera trap surveys -- Analysis of capture-recapture data -- References
Authors
K. U. Karanth, S. Kumar, J.D. Nichols
Estimating site occupancy rates when detection probabilities are less than one Estimating site occupancy rates when detection probabilities are less than one
Nondetection of a species at a site does not imply that the species is absent unless the probability of detection is 1. We propose a model and likelihood-based method for estimating site occupancy rates when detection probabilities are 1. The model provides a flexible framework enabling covariate information to be included and allowing for missing observations. Via computer simulation...
Authors
D.I. MacKenzie, J.D. Nichols, G.B. Lachman, Sam Droege, J. Andrew Royle, C.A. Langtimm
Sources of variation in breeding-ground fidelity of mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) Sources of variation in breeding-ground fidelity of mallards (Anas platyrhynchos)
Generalizations used to support hypotheses about the evolution of fidelity to breeding areas in birds include the tendency for fidelity to be greater in adult birds than in yearlings. In ducks, in contrast to most bird species, fidelity is thought to be greater among females than males. Researchers have suggested that fidelity in ducks is positively correlated with pond availability...
Authors
P.F. Doherty, J.D. Nichols, J. Tautin, J.E. Voelzer, G.W. Smith, D.S. Benning, V.R. Bentley, J.K. Bidwell, K.S. Bollinger, A.R. Brazda, E.K. Buelna, J.R. Goldsberry, R.J. King, F.H. Roetker, J.W. Solberg, P.P. Thorpe, J.S. Wortham
Sources of variation in survival and breeding site fidelity in three species of European ducks Sources of variation in survival and breeding site fidelity in three species of European ducks
1. We used long-term capture-recapture-recovery data and a modelling approach developed by Burnham (1993) to test a priori predictions about sources of variation in annual survival rates and fidelity within a population of individually marked females in three species of European ducks from a breeding ground study site in Latvia. 2. True annual survival was higher for diving ducks (tufted...
Authors
Peter Blums, J.D. Nichols, J.E. Hines
A removal model for estimating detection probabilities from point-count surveys A removal model for estimating detection probabilities from point-count surveys
Use of point-count surveys is a popular method for collecting data on abundance and distribution of birds. However, analyses of such data often ignore potential differences in detection probability. We adapted a removal model to directly estimate detection probability during point-count surveys. The model assumes that singing frequency is a major factor influencing probability of...
Authors
G.L. Farnsworth, K. H. Pollock, J.D. Nichols, T.R. Simons, J.E. Hines, J.R. Sauer
Attractor reconstruction for non-linear systems: a methodological note Attractor reconstruction for non-linear systems: a methodological note
Attractor reconstruction is an important step in the process of making predictions for non-linear time-series and in the computation of certain invariant quantities used to characterize the dynamics of such series. The utility of computed predictions and invariant quantities is dependent on the accuracy of attractor reconstruction, which in turn is determined by the methods used in the
Authors
J.M. Nichols, J.D. Nichols
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 417
Statistical concepts: Assessing spatial distributions Statistical concepts: Assessing spatial distributions
Contents: -- Presence-absence surveys -- Mapping the spatial distribution -- Looking ahead -- References
Authors
J.D. Nichols, K. U. Karanth
Population monitoring: a conceptual framework Population monitoring: a conceptual framework
Contents: -- Introduction -- The statistical framework -- References
Authors
J.D. Nichols, K. U. Karanth
Monitoring tigers and prey: conservation needs and managerial constraints Monitoring tigers and prey: conservation needs and managerial constraints
Contents: -- Introduction -- The sampling-based approach to monitoring -- Defining objectives -- Assessing available resources -- Decision making: Matching objectives and resources -- References
Authors
K. U. Karanth, J.D. Nichols, P.K. Sen, V. Rishi
Of bugs and birds: Markov Chain Monte Carlo for hierarchical modeling in wildlife research Of bugs and birds: Markov Chain Monte Carlo for hierarchical modeling in wildlife research
Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) is a statistical innovation that allows researchers to fit far more complex models to data than is feasible using conventional methods. Despite its widespread use in a variety of scientific fields, MCMC appears to be underutilized in wildlife applications. This may be due to a misconception that MCMC requires the adoption of a subjective Bayesian analysis...
Authors
William A. Link, Emmanuelle Cam, James D. Nichols, Evan G. Cooch
Statistical concepts: Estimating absolute densities of tigers using capture-recapture sampling Statistical concepts: Estimating absolute densities of tigers using capture-recapture sampling
Contents: -- Introduction -- Photo trapping tigers -- Capture-recapture models -- Survey design considerations -- Conclusion -- References
Authors
J.D. Nichols, K. U. Karanth
Approaches for the direct estimation of lambda, and demographic contributions to lambda, using capture-recapture data Approaches for the direct estimation of lambda, and demographic contributions to lambda, using capture-recapture data
We first consider the estimation of the finite rate of population increase or population growth rate, u i , using capture-recapture data from open populations. We review estimation and modelling of u i under three main approaches to modelling openpopulation data: the classic approach of Jolly (1965) and Seber (1965), the superpopulation approach of Crosbie & Manly (1985) and Schwarz &...
Authors
James D. Nichols, James E. Hines
Field surveys: Estimating absolute densities of tigers using capture-recapture sampling Field surveys: Estimating absolute densities of tigers using capture-recapture sampling
Contents: -- Introduction -- Choice of camera trap equipment -- Conducting camera trap surveys -- Analysis of capture-recapture data -- References
Authors
K. U. Karanth, S. Kumar, J.D. Nichols
Estimating site occupancy rates when detection probabilities are less than one Estimating site occupancy rates when detection probabilities are less than one
Nondetection of a species at a site does not imply that the species is absent unless the probability of detection is 1. We propose a model and likelihood-based method for estimating site occupancy rates when detection probabilities are 1. The model provides a flexible framework enabling covariate information to be included and allowing for missing observations. Via computer simulation...
Authors
D.I. MacKenzie, J.D. Nichols, G.B. Lachman, Sam Droege, J. Andrew Royle, C.A. Langtimm
Sources of variation in breeding-ground fidelity of mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) Sources of variation in breeding-ground fidelity of mallards (Anas platyrhynchos)
Generalizations used to support hypotheses about the evolution of fidelity to breeding areas in birds include the tendency for fidelity to be greater in adult birds than in yearlings. In ducks, in contrast to most bird species, fidelity is thought to be greater among females than males. Researchers have suggested that fidelity in ducks is positively correlated with pond availability...
Authors
P.F. Doherty, J.D. Nichols, J. Tautin, J.E. Voelzer, G.W. Smith, D.S. Benning, V.R. Bentley, J.K. Bidwell, K.S. Bollinger, A.R. Brazda, E.K. Buelna, J.R. Goldsberry, R.J. King, F.H. Roetker, J.W. Solberg, P.P. Thorpe, J.S. Wortham
Sources of variation in survival and breeding site fidelity in three species of European ducks Sources of variation in survival and breeding site fidelity in three species of European ducks
1. We used long-term capture-recapture-recovery data and a modelling approach developed by Burnham (1993) to test a priori predictions about sources of variation in annual survival rates and fidelity within a population of individually marked females in three species of European ducks from a breeding ground study site in Latvia. 2. True annual survival was higher for diving ducks (tufted...
Authors
Peter Blums, J.D. Nichols, J.E. Hines
A removal model for estimating detection probabilities from point-count surveys A removal model for estimating detection probabilities from point-count surveys
Use of point-count surveys is a popular method for collecting data on abundance and distribution of birds. However, analyses of such data often ignore potential differences in detection probability. We adapted a removal model to directly estimate detection probability during point-count surveys. The model assumes that singing frequency is a major factor influencing probability of...
Authors
G.L. Farnsworth, K. H. Pollock, J.D. Nichols, T.R. Simons, J.E. Hines, J.R. Sauer
Attractor reconstruction for non-linear systems: a methodological note Attractor reconstruction for non-linear systems: a methodological note
Attractor reconstruction is an important step in the process of making predictions for non-linear time-series and in the computation of certain invariant quantities used to characterize the dynamics of such series. The utility of computed predictions and invariant quantities is dependent on the accuracy of attractor reconstruction, which in turn is determined by the methods used in the
Authors
J.M. Nichols, J.D. Nichols