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
Filter Total Items: 60
Introduction to resource allocation
With ongoing habitat loss and degradation, ever-increasing threats to biodiversity, and limited funding for conservation and management, nearly every natural resource manager routinely faces difficult resource allocation problems. Funding and capacity for natural resource management rarely meet the need, and informed resource allocations are increasingly important. These decision problems include
Authors
James E. Lyons
Resource allocation for coastal wetland management: Confronting uncertainty about sea level rise
Coastal wetlands are rich and diverse ecosystems with a wide variety of birdlife and other natural resources. Decision making for coastal wetland management is difficult given the complex nature of these ecological systems and the frequent need to meet multiple objectives for varied resources. Management challenges in the coastal zone are exacerbated by uncertainty about sea level rise and impac
Authors
James E. Lyons, Kevin S. Kalasz, Gregory Breese, Clint W. Boal
Reserve network design for prairie-dependent taxa in South Puget Sound
Conserving species requires managing threats, including habitat loss. One approach to managing habitat loss is to identify and protect habitat in networks of reserves. Reserve network design is a type of resource allocation problem: how can we choose the most effective reserve network design given available resources? We undertook development and implementation of a patch dynamics model to allow u
Authors
Sarah J. Converse, Beth Gardner, Steve Morey
Prioritizing uncertainties to improve management of a reintroduction program
The success of wildlife reintroduction efforts rests on the demographic performance of released animals. Whooping Cranes in the eastern migratory population—reintroduced beginning in 2001—demonstrate adequate survival but poor reproduction. Managers and scientists have used an iterative process of learning and management to respond to this management challenge, but by 2015, uncertainty about the c
Authors
Sarah J. Converse
Using value of information to prioritize research needs for migratory bird management under climate change: A case study using federal land acquisition in the United States
In response to global habitat loss, many governmental and non‐governmental organizations have implemented land acquisition programs to protect critical habitats permanently for priority species. The ability of these protected areas to meet future management objectives may be compromised if the effects of climate change are not considered in acquisition decisions. Unfortunately, the effects of clim
Authors
Clark S Rushing, Madeleine A. Rubenstein, James E. Lyons, Michael C. Runge
Black oystercatcher (Haematopus bachmani) population size, use of marine reserve complexes, and spatial distribution in Oregon
The Black Oystercatcher is a large shorebird found along the west coast of North America. Because of their small global population size, low reproductive rate, and dependence on rocky intertidal habitats, they are considered a “species of high conservation concern” and may act as an indicator of intertidal ecosystem health. In 2015, the Audubon Society of Portland initiated a 3-year shore-based po
Authors
Joe Liebezeit, Amelia O'Connor, James E. Lyons, Courtney Shannon, Shawn Stephensen, Elise Elliott-Smith
Optimization of salt marsh management at the Rhode Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex through use of structured decision making
Structured decision making is a systematic, transparent process for improving the quality of complex decisions by identifying measurable management objectives and feasible management actions; predicting the potential consequences of management actions relative to the stated objectives; and selecting a course of action that maximizes the total benefit achieved and balances tradeoffs among objective
Authors
Hilary A. Neckles, James E. Lyons, Jessica L. Nagel, Susan C. Adamowicz, Toni Mikula, Nicholas T. Ernst
Optimization of salt marsh management at the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, Virginia, through use of structured decision making
Structured decision making is a systematic, transparent process for improving the quality of complex decisions by identifying measurable management objectives and feasible management actions; predicting the potential consequences of management actions relative to the stated objectives; and selecting a course of action that maximizes the total benefit achieved and balances tradeoffs among objective
Authors
Hilary A. Neckles, James E. Lyons, Jessica L. Nagel, Susan C. Adamowicz, Toni Mikula, Kevin S. Holcomb
Spatial integration of biological and social objectives to identify priority landscapes for waterfowl habitat conservation
Waterfowl population management and habitat conservation compose one of the oldest and most successful adaptive management frameworks in the world. Since its inception, the North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP) has emphasized strategically targeted conservation investments in regions that most affect waterfowl population dynamics. By 2012, regional conservation had progressively become
Authors
Anastasia Krainyk, James E. Lyons, Michael G. Brasher, Dale D. Humburg, Greg J. Souilliere, John M. Coluccy, Mark J. Petrie, David W. Howerter, Stuart M. Slattery, Mindy B. Rice, Joe C. Fuller
Effects of individual misidentification on estimates of survival in long-term mark–resight studies
All ecological measurements are subject to error; the effects of missed detection (false negatives) are well known, but the effects of mistaken detection (false positives) are less understood. Long-term capture–recapture datasets provide valuable ecological insights and baselines for conservation and management, but where such studies rely on noninvasive re-encounters, such as field-readable color
Authors
A. M. Tucker, Conor P. McGowan, R. A. Robinson, J. A. Clark, James E. Lyons, A. Derose-Wilson, R. Du Feu, G. E. Austin, P. W. Atkinson, N. A. Clark
Why strategic bird monitoring plan for the Gulf of Mexico?
No abstract available.
Authors
R. Randy Wilson, Mark S. Woodrey, Auriel M. V. Fournier, Jeff Gleason, James E. Lyons
Optimization of salt marsh management at the Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge, Delaware, through use of structured decision making
Structured decision making is a systematic, transparent process for improving the quality of complex decisions by identifying measurable management objectives and feasible management actions; predicting the potential consequences of management actions relative to the stated objectives; and selecting a course of action that maximizes the total benefit achieved and balances tradeoffs among objective
Authors
Hilary A. Neckles, James E. Lyons, Jessica L. Nagel, Susan C. Adamowicz, Toni Mikula, Susan T. Guiteras, Laura R. Mitchell
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 60
Introduction to resource allocation
With ongoing habitat loss and degradation, ever-increasing threats to biodiversity, and limited funding for conservation and management, nearly every natural resource manager routinely faces difficult resource allocation problems. Funding and capacity for natural resource management rarely meet the need, and informed resource allocations are increasingly important. These decision problems include
Authors
James E. Lyons
Resource allocation for coastal wetland management: Confronting uncertainty about sea level rise
Coastal wetlands are rich and diverse ecosystems with a wide variety of birdlife and other natural resources. Decision making for coastal wetland management is difficult given the complex nature of these ecological systems and the frequent need to meet multiple objectives for varied resources. Management challenges in the coastal zone are exacerbated by uncertainty about sea level rise and impac
Authors
James E. Lyons, Kevin S. Kalasz, Gregory Breese, Clint W. Boal
Reserve network design for prairie-dependent taxa in South Puget Sound
Conserving species requires managing threats, including habitat loss. One approach to managing habitat loss is to identify and protect habitat in networks of reserves. Reserve network design is a type of resource allocation problem: how can we choose the most effective reserve network design given available resources? We undertook development and implementation of a patch dynamics model to allow u
Authors
Sarah J. Converse, Beth Gardner, Steve Morey
Prioritizing uncertainties to improve management of a reintroduction program
The success of wildlife reintroduction efforts rests on the demographic performance of released animals. Whooping Cranes in the eastern migratory population—reintroduced beginning in 2001—demonstrate adequate survival but poor reproduction. Managers and scientists have used an iterative process of learning and management to respond to this management challenge, but by 2015, uncertainty about the c
Authors
Sarah J. Converse
Using value of information to prioritize research needs for migratory bird management under climate change: A case study using federal land acquisition in the United States
In response to global habitat loss, many governmental and non‐governmental organizations have implemented land acquisition programs to protect critical habitats permanently for priority species. The ability of these protected areas to meet future management objectives may be compromised if the effects of climate change are not considered in acquisition decisions. Unfortunately, the effects of clim
Authors
Clark S Rushing, Madeleine A. Rubenstein, James E. Lyons, Michael C. Runge
Black oystercatcher (Haematopus bachmani) population size, use of marine reserve complexes, and spatial distribution in Oregon
The Black Oystercatcher is a large shorebird found along the west coast of North America. Because of their small global population size, low reproductive rate, and dependence on rocky intertidal habitats, they are considered a “species of high conservation concern” and may act as an indicator of intertidal ecosystem health. In 2015, the Audubon Society of Portland initiated a 3-year shore-based po
Authors
Joe Liebezeit, Amelia O'Connor, James E. Lyons, Courtney Shannon, Shawn Stephensen, Elise Elliott-Smith
Optimization of salt marsh management at the Rhode Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex through use of structured decision making
Structured decision making is a systematic, transparent process for improving the quality of complex decisions by identifying measurable management objectives and feasible management actions; predicting the potential consequences of management actions relative to the stated objectives; and selecting a course of action that maximizes the total benefit achieved and balances tradeoffs among objective
Authors
Hilary A. Neckles, James E. Lyons, Jessica L. Nagel, Susan C. Adamowicz, Toni Mikula, Nicholas T. Ernst
Optimization of salt marsh management at the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, Virginia, through use of structured decision making
Structured decision making is a systematic, transparent process for improving the quality of complex decisions by identifying measurable management objectives and feasible management actions; predicting the potential consequences of management actions relative to the stated objectives; and selecting a course of action that maximizes the total benefit achieved and balances tradeoffs among objective
Authors
Hilary A. Neckles, James E. Lyons, Jessica L. Nagel, Susan C. Adamowicz, Toni Mikula, Kevin S. Holcomb
Spatial integration of biological and social objectives to identify priority landscapes for waterfowl habitat conservation
Waterfowl population management and habitat conservation compose one of the oldest and most successful adaptive management frameworks in the world. Since its inception, the North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP) has emphasized strategically targeted conservation investments in regions that most affect waterfowl population dynamics. By 2012, regional conservation had progressively become
Authors
Anastasia Krainyk, James E. Lyons, Michael G. Brasher, Dale D. Humburg, Greg J. Souilliere, John M. Coluccy, Mark J. Petrie, David W. Howerter, Stuart M. Slattery, Mindy B. Rice, Joe C. Fuller
Effects of individual misidentification on estimates of survival in long-term mark–resight studies
All ecological measurements are subject to error; the effects of missed detection (false negatives) are well known, but the effects of mistaken detection (false positives) are less understood. Long-term capture–recapture datasets provide valuable ecological insights and baselines for conservation and management, but where such studies rely on noninvasive re-encounters, such as field-readable color
Authors
A. M. Tucker, Conor P. McGowan, R. A. Robinson, J. A. Clark, James E. Lyons, A. Derose-Wilson, R. Du Feu, G. E. Austin, P. W. Atkinson, N. A. Clark
Why strategic bird monitoring plan for the Gulf of Mexico?
No abstract available.
Authors
R. Randy Wilson, Mark S. Woodrey, Auriel M. V. Fournier, Jeff Gleason, James E. Lyons
Optimization of salt marsh management at the Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge, Delaware, through use of structured decision making
Structured decision making is a systematic, transparent process for improving the quality of complex decisions by identifying measurable management objectives and feasible management actions; predicting the potential consequences of management actions relative to the stated objectives; and selecting a course of action that maximizes the total benefit achieved and balances tradeoffs among objective
Authors
Hilary A. Neckles, James E. Lyons, Jessica L. Nagel, Susan C. Adamowicz, Toni Mikula, Susan T. Guiteras, Laura R. Mitchell
*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