James Cronin's research uses analytical tools to identify ecological processes operating in natural systems and aid decision makers in conserving and restoring natural landscapes. His projects generally focus on (1) translating human knowledge and beliefs about how the world works into causal models and (2) using causal models to inform large-scale restoration efforts.
EDUCATION
Ph.D., Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Pittsburgh
B.A., Biology, St. John's University
BACKGROUND
2018-Present: Research Ecologist, US Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center (formerly National Wetland Research Center), Lafayette, LA, USA
2014-2018: Ecologist, US Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center (formerly National Wetland Research Center), Lafayette, LA, USA
2013-2014: Research Scientist I, Five Rivers Services LLC, USGS National Wetland Research Center, Lafayette, LA, USA
2006-2013: Postdoctoral Research Associate Infectious Disease Ecology, Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
1999-2006: Ph.D. Ecology & Evolutionary Biology; NSF Gk-12 Teaching Fellow, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, PA, USA
1996-1999: B.A. Biology, St. John’s University, MN
Science and Products
Integrating Science and Management to Assist with the Response to Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease
Biological Objectives for the Gulf Coast: Biological Planning Units & Target Species Population Objectives
Strategic Habitat Conservation for Gulf Sturgeon
Strategic Habitat Conservation for Brown Pelican
Strategic Habitat Conservation for Black Skimmer and Gull-billed Tern
Strategic Habitat Conservation for Beach Mice (Peromyscus polionotus ssp.)
Identifying Conservation Objectives for the Gulf Coast Habitats of the Black Skimmer and Gull-billed Tern
Science and Products
- Publications
- Science
Integrating Science and Management to Assist with the Response to Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease
A USGS multi-disciplinary team will use laboratory and modeling approaches to investigate the cause of stony coral tissue loss disease.Biological Objectives for the Gulf Coast: Biological Planning Units & Target Species Population Objectives
The USGS partnered with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and its conservation partners to develop 16 Biological Planning Units (BPU) and six Aquatic Extensions and compile population objectives for 166 species that are representative of habitats within each BPU.Strategic Habitat Conservation for Gulf Sturgeon
WARC researchers partnered with Gulf Sturgeon decision makers and biologists to develop a Bayesian network model that uses habitat characteristics to predict the quantity of juvenile winter foraging habitat under alternative river discharge and timing of juvenile arrival scenarios.Strategic Habitat Conservation for Brown Pelican
WARC researchers partnered with managers and species experts to develop a Bayesian network model and a geospatial habitat characteristics dataset to predict the number of Brown Pelican breeding pairs on islands in the northern Gulf of Mexico.Strategic Habitat Conservation for Black Skimmer and Gull-billed Tern
WARC researchers partnered with managers and species experts to develop a Bayesian network model and a geospatial habitat characteristics dataset to predict the number of breeding pairs of Black Skimmer and Gull-billed Tern along the northern Gulf of Mexico.Strategic Habitat Conservation for Beach Mice (Peromyscus polionotus ssp.)
WARC researchers partnered with beach mice managers and biologists to estimate habitat objectives and the amount of effort needed to achieve the habitat objective (i.e., management efficiency) for three beach mice subspecies in Florida’s panhandle.Identifying Conservation Objectives for the Gulf Coast Habitats of the Black Skimmer and Gull-billed Tern
Many shorebirds and nearshore waterbirds are of conservation concern across the Gulf of Mexico due to stressors such as human disturbance, predation, and habitat loss and degradation. Conservation and protection of these birds is important for the functioning of healthy ecosystems and for maintaining biodiversity in North America. Consequently, resource managers along the gulf need decision-aiding - Data