James E Lyons, Ph.D.
Jim is a Research Ecologist at the Eastern Ecological Science Center at the Patuxent Research Refuge in Laurel, MD.
Jim joined USGS as a Research Ecologist at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in 2016. Prior to joining USGS, he was a Wildlife Biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Division of Migratory Bird Management, also located at the Patuxent Research Refuge, from 2006–2016. He received a BS from University of Vermont and MS from Clemson University, both in Wildlife Biology, and a Ph.D. from Virginia Tech in Biology. His research interests include ecology and conservation of migratory birds and applications of decision analysis for natural resource management.
Professional Experience
2020-present, Research Ecologist, USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center at the Patuxent Research Refuge
2016-2020, Research Ecologist, USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
2006-2016, Wildlife Biologist, USFWS Division of Migratory Bird Management at the Patuxent Research Refuge
2004-2006, Postdoctoral Research Associate, USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
2002-2004, Lecturer, Department of Wildlife, Humboldt State University
2001-2002, Postdoctoral Research Associate, North Carolina State University
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. Biology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (2001)
M.S. Aquaculture, Fisheries, and Wildlife Biology, Clemson University (1994)
B.S. Wildlife and Fisheries Biology, University of Vermont (1986)
Affiliations and Memberships*
American Ornithological Society
Association of Field Ornithologists
Ecological Society of America
International Wader Study Group
Waterbird Society
The Wildlife Society
Wilson Ornithological Society
Honors and Awards
STAR Award, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For work on the Adaptive Management Consultancy for Prescribed Fire at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge (2008)
Rachel Carson Award for Scientific Excellence, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Group Category, Awarded to the Branch of Population and Habitat Assessment (2009)
STAR Award, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For work to develop a Strategic Plan to Monitor the Eastern Migratory Population of Whooping Cranes for the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership (2009)
STAR Award, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For work on Adaptive Monitoring of Salt Marsh Surface Elevation Dynamics and Prescribed Fire at Blackwater NWR(2014)
Elective Member, American Ornithologists’ Union (2014)
2018-2019 Top Downloaded Paper, Restoration Ecology
Honor Award for Conservation Partners, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Regional Director. “Gulf of Mexico Avian Monitoring Network” (2021)
Decision Analysis Society, Practice Award Finalist, Adaptive Management of Horseshoe Crab Harvest and Red Knot Conservation in the Delaware Bay
Science and Products
Structured decision making and optimal bird monitoring in the northern Gulf of Mexico
Optimization of salt marsh management at the Long Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex, New York, through use of structured decision making
Species-specific demographic and behavioral responses to food availability during migratory stopover
Multicriteria decisions and portfolio analysis: Land acquisition for biological and social objectives
Optimization of salt marsh management at the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, New Jersey, through use of structured decision making
Stopover ecology of red knots in southwestern James Bay during southbound migration
Using decision science for monitoring threatened western snowy plovers to inform recovery
Optimization of salt marsh management at the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge, Connecticut, through use of structured decision making
Research priorities for migratory birds under climate change—A qualitative value of information assessment
Optimization of tidal marsh management at the Cape May and Supawna Meadows National Wildlife Refuges, New Jersey, through use of structured decision making
Decision implementation and the double-loop process in adaptive management of horseshoe crab harvest in Delaware Bay
Addressing disease risk to develop a health program for bighorn sheep in Montana
Science and Products
Structured decision making and optimal bird monitoring in the northern Gulf of Mexico
Optimization of salt marsh management at the Long Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex, New York, through use of structured decision making
Species-specific demographic and behavioral responses to food availability during migratory stopover
Multicriteria decisions and portfolio analysis: Land acquisition for biological and social objectives
Optimization of salt marsh management at the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, New Jersey, through use of structured decision making
Stopover ecology of red knots in southwestern James Bay during southbound migration
Using decision science for monitoring threatened western snowy plovers to inform recovery
Optimization of salt marsh management at the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge, Connecticut, through use of structured decision making
Research priorities for migratory birds under climate change—A qualitative value of information assessment
Optimization of tidal marsh management at the Cape May and Supawna Meadows National Wildlife Refuges, New Jersey, through use of structured decision making
Decision implementation and the double-loop process in adaptive management of horseshoe crab harvest in Delaware Bay
Addressing disease risk to develop a health program for bighorn sheep in Montana
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government