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
Postfledging survival of European starlings Postfledging survival of European starlings
We tested the hypotheses that mass at fledging and fledge date within the breeding season affect postfledging survival in European Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris). Nestlings were weighed on day 18 after hatch and tagged with individually identifiable patagial tags. Fledge date was recorded. Marked fledglings were resighted during weekly two—day intensive observation periods for >9 wk...
Authors
David G. Krementz, James D. Nichols, James E. Hines
Mallard survival from local to immature stage in southwestern Saskatchewan Mallard survival from local to immature stage in southwestern Saskatchewan
We used 3,670 recoveries from 32,647 bandings of mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) in southwestern Saskatchewan during 1956-59 to estimate the probability of surviving from the local, flightless (classes II and III) stage to the flighted, immature stage. The probability of surviving from the local to the immature stage was 0.84 ± 0.05 (SE) for males and females. The geographic distribution...
Authors
Jay B. Hestbeck, Alexander Dzubin, J. Bernard Gollop, James D. Nichols
Waterfowl mortality factors Waterfowl mortality factors
The objectives of waterfowl management in North America involve population size and harvest. Any management action intended to influence population size must do so through one of four demographic variables: reproduction, mortality, immigration, and emigration. Mortality is especially important because hunting can be strongly influenced by management.
Authors
J.D. Nichols
A computer program for sample size computations for banding studies A computer program for sample size computations for banding studies
Sample sizes necessary for estimating survival rates of banded birds, adults and young, are derived based on specified levels of precision. The banding study can be new or ongoing. The desired coefficient of variation (CV) for annual survival estimates, the CV for mean annual survival estimates, and the length of the study must be specified to compute sample sizes. A computer program is
Authors
K.R. Wilson, J.D. Nichols, J.E. Hines
Evaluation and experimentation with duck management strategies Evaluation and experimentation with duck management strategies
Our knowledge of the effects of hunting regulations on duck populations has been based largely on retrospective studies of historical data. We have reached the limits of what can be learned in this way. Future knowledge gains will likely come about only through experimentation and adaptive management.
Authors
J.D. Nichols, Fred A. Johnson
Model-based estimates of annual survival rate are preferable to observed maximum lifespan statistics for use in comparative life-history studies Model-based estimates of annual survival rate are preferable to observed maximum lifespan statistics for use in comparative life-history studies
Estimates of longevity are available for many animals, and are commonly used in comparative life-history analyses. We suggest that annual survival rate is a more appropriate life history parameter for most comparative life history analyses. Observed maximum lifespans estimate complicated functions of survival and sampling probabilities. Annual survival rate estimates derived from modern...
Authors
D.G. Krementz, J.R. Sauer, J.D. Nichols
Annual survival rates of breeding adult roseate terns Annual survival rates of breeding adult roseate terns
Analyses of the capture-recapture data on 910 individual Roseate Terns (Sterna dougallii) trapped from 1978-1987 as breeding adults on nests on Falkner Island, Connecticut, estimate the average annual minimum adult survival rate to be 0.74-0.75. There was weak evidence of year-to-year variation in annual survival rates during the study period. The Jolly-Seber models used to estimate...
Authors
Jeffrey A. Spendelow, James D. Nichols
Distribution patterns of American black duck and mallard winter band recoveries Distribution patterns of American black duck and mallard winter band recoveries
We compared the distribution patterns of winter band recoveries of American black ducks (Anas rubripes) and mallards (A. platyrhynchos) banded in the same breeding areas. Young black ducks wintered northeast of young mallards but no differences in distribution patterns were detected between adult birds of the 2 species. Mallards exhibited greater temporal variation in distribution...
Authors
Duane R. Diefenbach, James D. Nichols, James E. Hines
Postfledging survival of European starlings exposed as nestlings to an organophosphorus insecticide Postfledging survival of European starlings exposed as nestlings to an organophosphorus insecticide
To test the hypothesis that exposure to organophosphorus (OP) insecticides reduces postfledging survival of altricial birds, 16—d—old European Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) were weighed and orally dosed with corn oil containing 6.0 mg of dicrotophos per kilogram of body mass or an equivalent exposure of pure corn oil (controls). Two days later, each survivor was weighed again and...
Authors
K. L. Stromborg, C.E. Grue, J.D. Nichols, Gary R. Hepp, J.E. Hines, H. C. Bourne
Distribution patterns during winter and fidelity to wintering areas of American black ducks Distribution patterns during winter and fidelity to wintering areas of American black ducks
The distribution patterns during winter of American black ducks (Anas rubripes) were compared among age – sex classes using band recovery data. In addition, fidelity to wintering areas was compared between sexes and between coastal and inland wintering sites. We did not find evidence of age- or sex-specific differences in distribution patterns (P > 0.10). Black ducks exhibited a stronger...
Authors
Duane R. Diefenbach, James D. Nichols, James E. Hines
Migration, Harvest, and Population Characteristics of Mourning Doves Banded in the Western Management Unit, 1964-1977 Migration, Harvest, and Population Characteristics of Mourning Doves Banded in the Western Management Unit, 1964-1977
No abstract available.
Authors
R. E. Tomlinson, David D. Dolton, H.M. Reeves, J.D. Nichols, L.A. McKibben
Sex specificity of behavioral dominance and fasting endurance in wintering canvasbacks: Experimental results Sex specificity of behavioral dominance and fasting endurance in wintering canvasbacks: Experimental results
Hand-reared canvasbacks (Aythya valisineria) of varying sex ratios were maintained in pens during winter 1980-81 (3M-3F, 6M-0F, 0M-6F) and winter 1981-82 (4M-2F, 2M-4F) and fed two diets (control and stress). They were observed during feeding trials to determine intrasexual and intersexual aggressive activity. There was little evidence that either diet or sex ratio affected the total...
Authors
Matthew C. Perry, J.D. Nichols, M.J. Conroy, H.H. Obrecht, B. Kenneth Williams
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 417
Postfledging survival of European starlings Postfledging survival of European starlings
We tested the hypotheses that mass at fledging and fledge date within the breeding season affect postfledging survival in European Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris). Nestlings were weighed on day 18 after hatch and tagged with individually identifiable patagial tags. Fledge date was recorded. Marked fledglings were resighted during weekly two—day intensive observation periods for >9 wk...
Authors
David G. Krementz, James D. Nichols, James E. Hines
Mallard survival from local to immature stage in southwestern Saskatchewan Mallard survival from local to immature stage in southwestern Saskatchewan
We used 3,670 recoveries from 32,647 bandings of mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) in southwestern Saskatchewan during 1956-59 to estimate the probability of surviving from the local, flightless (classes II and III) stage to the flighted, immature stage. The probability of surviving from the local to the immature stage was 0.84 ± 0.05 (SE) for males and females. The geographic distribution...
Authors
Jay B. Hestbeck, Alexander Dzubin, J. Bernard Gollop, James D. Nichols
Waterfowl mortality factors Waterfowl mortality factors
The objectives of waterfowl management in North America involve population size and harvest. Any management action intended to influence population size must do so through one of four demographic variables: reproduction, mortality, immigration, and emigration. Mortality is especially important because hunting can be strongly influenced by management.
Authors
J.D. Nichols
A computer program for sample size computations for banding studies A computer program for sample size computations for banding studies
Sample sizes necessary for estimating survival rates of banded birds, adults and young, are derived based on specified levels of precision. The banding study can be new or ongoing. The desired coefficient of variation (CV) for annual survival estimates, the CV for mean annual survival estimates, and the length of the study must be specified to compute sample sizes. A computer program is
Authors
K.R. Wilson, J.D. Nichols, J.E. Hines
Evaluation and experimentation with duck management strategies Evaluation and experimentation with duck management strategies
Our knowledge of the effects of hunting regulations on duck populations has been based largely on retrospective studies of historical data. We have reached the limits of what can be learned in this way. Future knowledge gains will likely come about only through experimentation and adaptive management.
Authors
J.D. Nichols, Fred A. Johnson
Model-based estimates of annual survival rate are preferable to observed maximum lifespan statistics for use in comparative life-history studies Model-based estimates of annual survival rate are preferable to observed maximum lifespan statistics for use in comparative life-history studies
Estimates of longevity are available for many animals, and are commonly used in comparative life-history analyses. We suggest that annual survival rate is a more appropriate life history parameter for most comparative life history analyses. Observed maximum lifespans estimate complicated functions of survival and sampling probabilities. Annual survival rate estimates derived from modern...
Authors
D.G. Krementz, J.R. Sauer, J.D. Nichols
Annual survival rates of breeding adult roseate terns Annual survival rates of breeding adult roseate terns
Analyses of the capture-recapture data on 910 individual Roseate Terns (Sterna dougallii) trapped from 1978-1987 as breeding adults on nests on Falkner Island, Connecticut, estimate the average annual minimum adult survival rate to be 0.74-0.75. There was weak evidence of year-to-year variation in annual survival rates during the study period. The Jolly-Seber models used to estimate...
Authors
Jeffrey A. Spendelow, James D. Nichols
Distribution patterns of American black duck and mallard winter band recoveries Distribution patterns of American black duck and mallard winter band recoveries
We compared the distribution patterns of winter band recoveries of American black ducks (Anas rubripes) and mallards (A. platyrhynchos) banded in the same breeding areas. Young black ducks wintered northeast of young mallards but no differences in distribution patterns were detected between adult birds of the 2 species. Mallards exhibited greater temporal variation in distribution...
Authors
Duane R. Diefenbach, James D. Nichols, James E. Hines
Postfledging survival of European starlings exposed as nestlings to an organophosphorus insecticide Postfledging survival of European starlings exposed as nestlings to an organophosphorus insecticide
To test the hypothesis that exposure to organophosphorus (OP) insecticides reduces postfledging survival of altricial birds, 16—d—old European Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) were weighed and orally dosed with corn oil containing 6.0 mg of dicrotophos per kilogram of body mass or an equivalent exposure of pure corn oil (controls). Two days later, each survivor was weighed again and...
Authors
K. L. Stromborg, C.E. Grue, J.D. Nichols, Gary R. Hepp, J.E. Hines, H. C. Bourne
Distribution patterns during winter and fidelity to wintering areas of American black ducks Distribution patterns during winter and fidelity to wintering areas of American black ducks
The distribution patterns during winter of American black ducks (Anas rubripes) were compared among age – sex classes using band recovery data. In addition, fidelity to wintering areas was compared between sexes and between coastal and inland wintering sites. We did not find evidence of age- or sex-specific differences in distribution patterns (P > 0.10). Black ducks exhibited a stronger...
Authors
Duane R. Diefenbach, James D. Nichols, James E. Hines
Migration, Harvest, and Population Characteristics of Mourning Doves Banded in the Western Management Unit, 1964-1977 Migration, Harvest, and Population Characteristics of Mourning Doves Banded in the Western Management Unit, 1964-1977
No abstract available.
Authors
R. E. Tomlinson, David D. Dolton, H.M. Reeves, J.D. Nichols, L.A. McKibben
Sex specificity of behavioral dominance and fasting endurance in wintering canvasbacks: Experimental results Sex specificity of behavioral dominance and fasting endurance in wintering canvasbacks: Experimental results
Hand-reared canvasbacks (Aythya valisineria) of varying sex ratios were maintained in pens during winter 1980-81 (3M-3F, 6M-0F, 0M-6F) and winter 1981-82 (4M-2F, 2M-4F) and fed two diets (control and stress). They were observed during feeding trials to determine intrasexual and intersexual aggressive activity. There was little evidence that either diet or sex ratio affected the total...
Authors
Matthew C. Perry, J.D. Nichols, M.J. Conroy, H.H. Obrecht, B. Kenneth Williams