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
Use of the superpopulation approach to estimate breeding population size: An example in asynchronously breeding birds Use of the superpopulation approach to estimate breeding population size: An example in asynchronously breeding birds
Many populations of animals are fluid in both space and time, making estimation of numbers difficult. Much attention has been devoted to estimation of bias in detection of animals that are present at the time of survey. However, an equally important problem is estimation of population size when all animals are not present on all survey occasions. Here, we showcase use of the...
Authors
K.A. Williams, P. C. Frederick, James D. Nichols
Conservation in the face of climate change: The roles of alternative models, monitoring, and adaptation in confronting and reducing uncertainty Conservation in the face of climate change: The roles of alternative models, monitoring, and adaptation in confronting and reducing uncertainty
The broad physical and biological principles behind climate change and its potential large scale ecological impacts on biota are fairly well understood, although likely responses of biotic communities at fine spatio-temporal scales are not, limiting the ability of conservation programs to respond effectively to climate change outside the range of human experience. Much of the climate...
Authors
M.J. Conroy, Michael C. Runge, James D. Nichols, K.W. Stodola, R.J. Cooper
Climate change, uncertainty, and natural resource management Climate change, uncertainty, and natural resource management
Climate change and its associated uncertainties are of concern to natural resource managers. Although aspects of climate change may be novel (e.g., system change and nonstationarity), natural resource managers have long dealt with uncertainties and have developed corresponding approaches to decision-making. Adaptive resource management is an application of structured decision-making for...
Authors
J.D. Nichols, M.D. Koneff, P.J. Heglund, M. G. Knutson, M.E. Seamans, J. E. Lyons, J.M. Morton, M.T. Jones, G.S. Boomer, B. Kenneth Williams
Inference for occupancy and occupancy dynamics Inference for occupancy and occupancy dynamics
This chapter deals with the estimation of occupancy as a state variable to assess the status of, and track changes in, species distributions when sampling with camera traps. Much of the recent interest in occupancy estimation and modeling originated from the models developed by MacKenzie et al. (2002, 2003), although similar methods were developed independently (Azuma et al. 1990; Bayley...
Authors
Allan F. O’Connell, Larissa L. Bailey
Estimation of demographic parameters in a tiger population from long-term camera trap data Estimation of demographic parameters in a tiger population from long-term camera trap data
Chapter 7 (Karanth et al.) illustrated the use of camera trapping in combination with closed population capture–recapture (CR) models to estimate densities of tigers Panthera tigris. Such estimates can be very useful for investigating variation across space for a particular species (e.g., Karanth et al. 2004) or variation among species at a specific location. In addition, estimates of...
Authors
K. Ullas Karanth, James D. Nichols
Estimating tiger abundance from camera trap data: Field surveys and analytical issues Estimating tiger abundance from camera trap data: Field surveys and analytical issues
Automated photography of tigers Panthera tigris for purely illustrative purposes was pioneered by British forester Fred Champion (1927, 1933) in India in the early part of the Twentieth Century. However, it was McDougal (1977) in Nepal who first used camera traps, equipped with single-lens reflex cameras activated by pressure pads, to identify individual tigers and study their social and...
Authors
K. Ullas Karanth, James D. Nichols
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
Jeffrey A. Hostetler, David P. Onorato, James D. Nichols, Warren E. Johnson, Melody E. Roelke, Stephen J. O’Brien, Deborah Jansen, Madan K. Oli
Population dynamics of spotted owls in the Sierra Nevada, California Population dynamics of spotted owls in the Sierra Nevada, California
The California spotted owl (Strix occidentalis occidentalis) is the only spotted owl subspecies not listed as threatened or endangered under the United States Endangered Species Act despite petitions to list it as threatened. We conducted a meta-analysis of population data for 4 populations in the southern Cascades and Sierra Nevada, California, USA, from 1990 to 2005 to assist a listing
Authors
J.A. Blakesley, M.E. Seamans, M.M. Conner, A.B. Franklin, Gary C. White, R. J. Gutierrez, J.E. Hines, J.D. Nichols, T.E. Munton, D.W.H. Shaw, J.J. Keane, G.N. Steger, T. L. McDonald
Use of multiple dispersal pathways facilitates amphibian persistence in stream networks Use of multiple dispersal pathways facilitates amphibian persistence in stream networks
Although populations of amphibians are declining worldwide, there is no evidence that salamanders occupying small streams are experiencing enigmatic declines, and populations of these species seem stable. Theory predicts that dispersal through multiple pathways can stabilize populations, preventing extinction in habitat networks. However, empirical data to support this prediction are...
Authors
Grant Campbell, J.D. Nichols, W.H. Lowe, W.F. Fagan
Multistate modeling of habitat dynamics: Factors affecting Florida scrub transition probabilities Multistate modeling of habitat dynamics: Factors affecting Florida scrub transition probabilities
Many ecosystems are influenced by disturbances that create specific successional states and habitat structures that species need to persist. Estimating transition probabilities between habitat states and modeling the factors that influence such transitions have many applications for investigating and managing disturbance-prone ecosystems. We identify the correspondence between multistate...
Authors
D.R. Breininger, J.D. Nichols, B.W. Duncan, Eric D. Stolen, G.M. Carter, D.K. Hunt, J.H. Drese
Standards for documenting and monitoring bird reintroduction projects Standards for documenting and monitoring bird reintroduction projects
It would be much easier to assess the effectiveness of different reintroduction methods, and so improve the success of reintroductions, if there was greater standardization in documentation of the methods and outcomes. We suggest a series of standards for documenting and monitoring the methods and outcomes associated with reintroduction projects for birds. Key suggestions are...
Authors
W.J. Sutherland, D. Armstrong, S.H.M. Butchart, J.M. Earnhardt, J. Ewen, I. Jamieson, C.G. Jones, R. Lee, P. Newbery, J.D. Nichols, K.A. Parker, F. Sarrazin, P.J. Seddon, N. Shah, V. Tatayah
Occurrence and distribution of Indian primates Occurrence and distribution of Indian primates
Global and regional species conservation efforts are hindered by poor distribution data and range maps. Many Indian primates face extinction, but assessments of population status are hindered by lack of reliable distribution data. We estimated the current occurrence and distribution of 15 Indian primates by applying occupancy models to field data from a country-wide survey of local...
Authors
K.K. Karanth, J.D. Nichols, J.E. Hines
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 417
Use of the superpopulation approach to estimate breeding population size: An example in asynchronously breeding birds Use of the superpopulation approach to estimate breeding population size: An example in asynchronously breeding birds
Many populations of animals are fluid in both space and time, making estimation of numbers difficult. Much attention has been devoted to estimation of bias in detection of animals that are present at the time of survey. However, an equally important problem is estimation of population size when all animals are not present on all survey occasions. Here, we showcase use of the...
Authors
K.A. Williams, P. C. Frederick, James D. Nichols
Conservation in the face of climate change: The roles of alternative models, monitoring, and adaptation in confronting and reducing uncertainty Conservation in the face of climate change: The roles of alternative models, monitoring, and adaptation in confronting and reducing uncertainty
The broad physical and biological principles behind climate change and its potential large scale ecological impacts on biota are fairly well understood, although likely responses of biotic communities at fine spatio-temporal scales are not, limiting the ability of conservation programs to respond effectively to climate change outside the range of human experience. Much of the climate...
Authors
M.J. Conroy, Michael C. Runge, James D. Nichols, K.W. Stodola, R.J. Cooper
Climate change, uncertainty, and natural resource management Climate change, uncertainty, and natural resource management
Climate change and its associated uncertainties are of concern to natural resource managers. Although aspects of climate change may be novel (e.g., system change and nonstationarity), natural resource managers have long dealt with uncertainties and have developed corresponding approaches to decision-making. Adaptive resource management is an application of structured decision-making for...
Authors
J.D. Nichols, M.D. Koneff, P.J. Heglund, M. G. Knutson, M.E. Seamans, J. E. Lyons, J.M. Morton, M.T. Jones, G.S. Boomer, B. Kenneth Williams
Inference for occupancy and occupancy dynamics Inference for occupancy and occupancy dynamics
This chapter deals with the estimation of occupancy as a state variable to assess the status of, and track changes in, species distributions when sampling with camera traps. Much of the recent interest in occupancy estimation and modeling originated from the models developed by MacKenzie et al. (2002, 2003), although similar methods were developed independently (Azuma et al. 1990; Bayley...
Authors
Allan F. O’Connell, Larissa L. Bailey
Estimation of demographic parameters in a tiger population from long-term camera trap data Estimation of demographic parameters in a tiger population from long-term camera trap data
Chapter 7 (Karanth et al.) illustrated the use of camera trapping in combination with closed population capture–recapture (CR) models to estimate densities of tigers Panthera tigris. Such estimates can be very useful for investigating variation across space for a particular species (e.g., Karanth et al. 2004) or variation among species at a specific location. In addition, estimates of...
Authors
K. Ullas Karanth, James D. Nichols
Estimating tiger abundance from camera trap data: Field surveys and analytical issues Estimating tiger abundance from camera trap data: Field surveys and analytical issues
Automated photography of tigers Panthera tigris for purely illustrative purposes was pioneered by British forester Fred Champion (1927, 1933) in India in the early part of the Twentieth Century. However, it was McDougal (1977) in Nepal who first used camera traps, equipped with single-lens reflex cameras activated by pressure pads, to identify individual tigers and study their social and...
Authors
K. Ullas Karanth, James D. Nichols
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
Jeffrey A. Hostetler, David P. Onorato, James D. Nichols, Warren E. Johnson, Melody E. Roelke, Stephen J. O’Brien, Deborah Jansen, Madan K. Oli
Population dynamics of spotted owls in the Sierra Nevada, California Population dynamics of spotted owls in the Sierra Nevada, California
The California spotted owl (Strix occidentalis occidentalis) is the only spotted owl subspecies not listed as threatened or endangered under the United States Endangered Species Act despite petitions to list it as threatened. We conducted a meta-analysis of population data for 4 populations in the southern Cascades and Sierra Nevada, California, USA, from 1990 to 2005 to assist a listing
Authors
J.A. Blakesley, M.E. Seamans, M.M. Conner, A.B. Franklin, Gary C. White, R. J. Gutierrez, J.E. Hines, J.D. Nichols, T.E. Munton, D.W.H. Shaw, J.J. Keane, G.N. Steger, T. L. McDonald
Use of multiple dispersal pathways facilitates amphibian persistence in stream networks Use of multiple dispersal pathways facilitates amphibian persistence in stream networks
Although populations of amphibians are declining worldwide, there is no evidence that salamanders occupying small streams are experiencing enigmatic declines, and populations of these species seem stable. Theory predicts that dispersal through multiple pathways can stabilize populations, preventing extinction in habitat networks. However, empirical data to support this prediction are...
Authors
Grant Campbell, J.D. Nichols, W.H. Lowe, W.F. Fagan
Multistate modeling of habitat dynamics: Factors affecting Florida scrub transition probabilities Multistate modeling of habitat dynamics: Factors affecting Florida scrub transition probabilities
Many ecosystems are influenced by disturbances that create specific successional states and habitat structures that species need to persist. Estimating transition probabilities between habitat states and modeling the factors that influence such transitions have many applications for investigating and managing disturbance-prone ecosystems. We identify the correspondence between multistate...
Authors
D.R. Breininger, J.D. Nichols, B.W. Duncan, Eric D. Stolen, G.M. Carter, D.K. Hunt, J.H. Drese
Standards for documenting and monitoring bird reintroduction projects Standards for documenting and monitoring bird reintroduction projects
It would be much easier to assess the effectiveness of different reintroduction methods, and so improve the success of reintroductions, if there was greater standardization in documentation of the methods and outcomes. We suggest a series of standards for documenting and monitoring the methods and outcomes associated with reintroduction projects for birds. Key suggestions are...
Authors
W.J. Sutherland, D. Armstrong, S.H.M. Butchart, J.M. Earnhardt, J. Ewen, I. Jamieson, C.G. Jones, R. Lee, P. Newbery, J.D. Nichols, K.A. Parker, F. Sarrazin, P.J. Seddon, N. Shah, V. Tatayah
Occurrence and distribution of Indian primates Occurrence and distribution of Indian primates
Global and regional species conservation efforts are hindered by poor distribution data and range maps. Many Indian primates face extinction, but assessments of population status are hindered by lack of reliable distribution data. We estimated the current occurrence and distribution of 15 Indian primates by applying occupancy models to field data from a country-wide survey of local...
Authors
K.K. Karanth, J.D. Nichols, J.E. Hines