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: 401
Physiological condition of autumn-banded mallards and its relationship to hunting vulnerability
An important topic of waterfowl ecology concerns the relationship between the physiological condition of ducks during the nonbreeding season and fitness, i.e., survival and future reproductive success. We investigated this subject using direct band recovery records of mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) banded in autumn (1 Oct-15 Dec) 1981-83 in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley (MAV) [USA]. A condition i
Authors
G. R. Hepp, R.J. Blohm, R. E. Reynolds, J. E. Hines, J. D. Nichols
Sources of variation in extinction rates, turnover, and diversity of marine invertebrate families during the Paleozoic
The authors present a new method that can be used to estimate taxonomic turnover in conjunction with stratigraphic range data for families in five phyla of Paleozoic marine invertebrates. Encounter probabilities varied among taxa and showed evidence of a decrease over time for the geologic series examined. The number of families varied substantially among the five phyla and showed some evidence
Authors
J. D. Nichols, R.W. Morris, C. Brownie, K. H. Pollock
Evaluation of biochemical, histopathological and population parameters of cotton rats inhabiting hazardous waste sites
No abstract available.
Authors
Barnett A. Rattner, Edward L. Flickinger, D. J. Hoffman, J. D. Nichols
Constant-parameter capture-recapture models
Jolly (1982, Biometrics 38, 301-321) presented modifications of the Jolly-Seber model for capture-recapture data, which assume constant survival and/or capture rates. Where appropriate, because of the reduced number of parameters, these models lead to more efficient estimators than the Jolly-Seber model. The tests to compare models given by Jolly do not make complete use of the data, and we presen
Authors
C. Brownie, J. E. Hines, J. D. Nichols
The role of heterogeneity in animal population dynamics
No abstract available.
Authors
D. H. Johnson, K.P. Burnham, J. D. Nichols
Dynamics of a black-capped chickadee population, 1958-1983
The dynamics of a wintering population of Black—capped Chickadees (Parus atricapillus) were studied from 1958—1983 using capture—recapture methods. The Jolly—Seber model was used to obtain annual estimates of population size, survival rate, and recruitment. The average estimated population size over this period was °160 birds. The average estimated number of new birds entering the population each
Authors
G. Loery, James D. Nichols
The need for accuracy in modelling: An example
The need for accurate information in modelling depends on the objectives of the effort. but trustworthy data are essential for a model intended for use in the management of natural resources. This point is illustrated by referring to a recently published model of canvasback ducks. We demonstrate that several key assumptions are not supported by biological evidence, and that inferences drawn from t
Authors
D. H. Johnson, M.J. Conroy, J. D. Nichols
On condition bias and band-recovery data from large-scale waterfowl banding programs
No abstract available.
Authors
K.P. Burnham, J. D. Nichols
Goodness-of-fit tests for open capture-recapture models
General goodness-of-fit tests for the Jolly-Seber model are proposed. These tests are based on conditional arguments using minimal sufficient statistics. The tests are shown to be of simple hypergeometric form so that a series of independent contingency table chi-square tests can be performed. The relationship of these tests to other proposed tests is discussed. This is followed by a simulati
Authors
K. H. Pollock, J. E. Hines, J. D. Nichols
The need for accuracy in modelling: An example
The need for accurate information in modelling depends on the objectives of the effort, but trustworthy data are essential for a model intended for use in the management of natural resources. This point is illustrated by referring to a recently published model of canvasback ducks. We demonstrate that several key assumptions are not supported by biological evidence, and that inferences drawn from t
Authors
Douglas H. Johnson, Michael J. Conroy, James D. Nichols
Optimal timing in biological processes
A general approach for obtaining solutions to a class of biological optimization problems is provided. The general problem is one of determining the appropriate time to take some action, when the action can be taken only once during some finite time frame. The approach can also be extended to cover a number of other problems involving animal choice (e.g., mate selection, habitat selection). Ret
Authors
Byron K. Williams, James D. Nichols
Sources of variation in survival rates of winter-banded mallards
No abstract available.
Authors
J. E. Hines, J. D. Nichols
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 401
Physiological condition of autumn-banded mallards and its relationship to hunting vulnerability
An important topic of waterfowl ecology concerns the relationship between the physiological condition of ducks during the nonbreeding season and fitness, i.e., survival and future reproductive success. We investigated this subject using direct band recovery records of mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) banded in autumn (1 Oct-15 Dec) 1981-83 in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley (MAV) [USA]. A condition i
Authors
G. R. Hepp, R.J. Blohm, R. E. Reynolds, J. E. Hines, J. D. Nichols
Sources of variation in extinction rates, turnover, and diversity of marine invertebrate families during the Paleozoic
The authors present a new method that can be used to estimate taxonomic turnover in conjunction with stratigraphic range data for families in five phyla of Paleozoic marine invertebrates. Encounter probabilities varied among taxa and showed evidence of a decrease over time for the geologic series examined. The number of families varied substantially among the five phyla and showed some evidence
Authors
J. D. Nichols, R.W. Morris, C. Brownie, K. H. Pollock
Evaluation of biochemical, histopathological and population parameters of cotton rats inhabiting hazardous waste sites
No abstract available.
Authors
Barnett A. Rattner, Edward L. Flickinger, D. J. Hoffman, J. D. Nichols
Constant-parameter capture-recapture models
Jolly (1982, Biometrics 38, 301-321) presented modifications of the Jolly-Seber model for capture-recapture data, which assume constant survival and/or capture rates. Where appropriate, because of the reduced number of parameters, these models lead to more efficient estimators than the Jolly-Seber model. The tests to compare models given by Jolly do not make complete use of the data, and we presen
Authors
C. Brownie, J. E. Hines, J. D. Nichols
The role of heterogeneity in animal population dynamics
No abstract available.
Authors
D. H. Johnson, K.P. Burnham, J. D. Nichols
Dynamics of a black-capped chickadee population, 1958-1983
The dynamics of a wintering population of Black—capped Chickadees (Parus atricapillus) were studied from 1958—1983 using capture—recapture methods. The Jolly—Seber model was used to obtain annual estimates of population size, survival rate, and recruitment. The average estimated population size over this period was °160 birds. The average estimated number of new birds entering the population each
Authors
G. Loery, James D. Nichols
The need for accuracy in modelling: An example
The need for accurate information in modelling depends on the objectives of the effort. but trustworthy data are essential for a model intended for use in the management of natural resources. This point is illustrated by referring to a recently published model of canvasback ducks. We demonstrate that several key assumptions are not supported by biological evidence, and that inferences drawn from t
Authors
D. H. Johnson, M.J. Conroy, J. D. Nichols
On condition bias and band-recovery data from large-scale waterfowl banding programs
No abstract available.
Authors
K.P. Burnham, J. D. Nichols
Goodness-of-fit tests for open capture-recapture models
General goodness-of-fit tests for the Jolly-Seber model are proposed. These tests are based on conditional arguments using minimal sufficient statistics. The tests are shown to be of simple hypergeometric form so that a series of independent contingency table chi-square tests can be performed. The relationship of these tests to other proposed tests is discussed. This is followed by a simulati
Authors
K. H. Pollock, J. E. Hines, J. D. Nichols
The need for accuracy in modelling: An example
The need for accurate information in modelling depends on the objectives of the effort, but trustworthy data are essential for a model intended for use in the management of natural resources. This point is illustrated by referring to a recently published model of canvasback ducks. We demonstrate that several key assumptions are not supported by biological evidence, and that inferences drawn from t
Authors
Douglas H. Johnson, Michael J. Conroy, James D. Nichols
Optimal timing in biological processes
A general approach for obtaining solutions to a class of biological optimization problems is provided. The general problem is one of determining the appropriate time to take some action, when the action can be taken only once during some finite time frame. The approach can also be extended to cover a number of other problems involving animal choice (e.g., mate selection, habitat selection). Ret
Authors
Byron K. Williams, James D. Nichols
Sources of variation in survival rates of winter-banded mallards
No abstract available.
Authors
J. E. Hines, J. D. Nichols