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
Survival and band recovery rates of mallards in New Zealand
Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos ) were banded at 4 discrete study areas in New Zealand. We used hunting season recoveries in conjunction with band recovery models to estimate annual survival and recovery rates and to test hypotheses about sources of variation in these rates. Recovery rates varied among the 4 areas and from year to year within areas. Recovery rates were generally higher for young m
Authors
J. D. Nichols, M. Williams, T. Caithness
Capture-recapture estimation of prebreeding survival rate for birds exhibiting delayed maturation
Many species of seabirds exhibit delayed maturity and do not return to the natal colony to breed for several years after fledging. Capture-recapture studies are frequently conducted at such breeding colonies and often include marking of young birds. However, because of the absence of these birds from the natal colony during the first few years after banding, the data do not fit neatly into exist
Authors
J. D. Nichols, J. A. Spendelow, J. E. Hines
American woodcock winter distribution and fidelity to wintering areas
We examined winter distribution and fidelity to wintering areas for the American Woodcock (Scolopax minor), which exhibits reversed, sexual size dimorphism. Band-recovery data revealed no difference in winter distributions of different age/sex classes for woodcock from the same breeding ares. Similarly, band recoveries from woodcock banded on wintering grounds revealed no difference in fidelity to
Authors
D.R. Diefenbach, E.L. Derleth, W. Matthew Vander Haegen, J. D. Nichols, J. E. Hines
Modeling and the management of migratory birds
Mathematical modeling of migratory bird populations is reviewed in the context of migratory bird management. We focus on dynamic models of waterfowl, since most management-oriented migratory bird models concern waterfowl species. We describe the management context for these modeling efforts, with a focus on large-scale operational data collection programs and on processes by which waterfowl harves
Authors
B.K. Williams, J. D. Nichols
Small mammal populations at hazardous waste disposal sites near Houston, Texas, USA
Small mammals were trapped, tagged and recaptured in 0·45 ha plots at six hazardous industrial waste disposal sites to determine if populations, body mass and age structures were different from paired control site plots. Low numbers of six species of small mammals were captured on industrial waste sites or control sites. Only populations of hispid cotton rats at industrial waste sites and control
Authors
Edward L. Flickinger, J. D. Nichols
Postfledging survival of European starlings
We tested the hypotheses that mass at fledging and fledge date within the breeding season affect postfledging survival in European Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris). Nestlings were weighed on day 18 after hatch and tagged with individually identifiable patagial tags. Fledge date was recorded. Marked fledglings were resighted during weekly two—day intensive observation periods for >9 wk postfledging. Po
Authors
David G. Krementz, James D. Nichols, James E. Hines
Model-based estimates of annual survival rate are preferable to observed maximum lifespan statistics for use in comparative life-history studies
Estimates of longevity are available for many animals, and are commonly used in comparative life-history analyses. We suggest that annual survival rate is more appropriate life history parameter for most comparative life history analyses. Observed maximum longevities were not correlated with the annual survival rate estimates and appear to be unstable over time. We recommend that observed maxim
Authors
D.G. Krementz, J.R. Sauer, J. D. Nichols
Mallard survival from local to immature stage in southwestern Saskatchewan
We used 3,670 reciveries from 32,647 bandings of mallards in southwestern Saskatchewan during 1956-59 to estimate the probability of surviving from the local, flightless stage to the flighted, immature stage. The probability of surviving from the local to the immature stage was 0.84 +/- 0.05 (SE) for males and females. The geographic distribution of direct recoveries was similar for the birds ba
Authors
J.B. Hestbeck, A. Dzubin, J.B. Gollop, J. D. Nichols
Evaluation and experimentation with duck management strategies
Our knowledge of the effects of hunting regulations on duck populations has been based largely on retrospective studies of historical data. We have reached the limits of what can be learned in this way. Future knowledge gains will likely come about only through experimentation and adaptive management.
Authors
J. D. Nichols, F.A. Johnson
A computer program for sample size computations for banding studies
Sample sizes necessary for estimating survival rates of banded birds, adults and young, are derived based on specified levels of precision. The banding study can be new or ongoing. The desired coefficient of variation (CV) for annual survival estimates, the CV for mean annual survival estimates, and the length of the study must be specified to compute sample sizes. A computer program is availab
Authors
K.R. Wilson, J. D. Nichols, J. E. Hines
Waterfowl mortality factors
The objectives of waterfowl management in North America involve population size and harvest. Any management action intended to influence population size must do so through one of four demographic variables: reproduction, mortality, immigration, and emigration. Mortality is especially important because hunting can be strongly influenced by management.
Authors
J. D. Nichols
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 401
Survival and band recovery rates of mallards in New Zealand
Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos ) were banded at 4 discrete study areas in New Zealand. We used hunting season recoveries in conjunction with band recovery models to estimate annual survival and recovery rates and to test hypotheses about sources of variation in these rates. Recovery rates varied among the 4 areas and from year to year within areas. Recovery rates were generally higher for young m
Authors
J. D. Nichols, M. Williams, T. Caithness
Capture-recapture estimation of prebreeding survival rate for birds exhibiting delayed maturation
Many species of seabirds exhibit delayed maturity and do not return to the natal colony to breed for several years after fledging. Capture-recapture studies are frequently conducted at such breeding colonies and often include marking of young birds. However, because of the absence of these birds from the natal colony during the first few years after banding, the data do not fit neatly into exist
Authors
J. D. Nichols, J. A. Spendelow, J. E. Hines
American woodcock winter distribution and fidelity to wintering areas
We examined winter distribution and fidelity to wintering areas for the American Woodcock (Scolopax minor), which exhibits reversed, sexual size dimorphism. Band-recovery data revealed no difference in winter distributions of different age/sex classes for woodcock from the same breeding ares. Similarly, band recoveries from woodcock banded on wintering grounds revealed no difference in fidelity to
Authors
D.R. Diefenbach, E.L. Derleth, W. Matthew Vander Haegen, J. D. Nichols, J. E. Hines
Modeling and the management of migratory birds
Mathematical modeling of migratory bird populations is reviewed in the context of migratory bird management. We focus on dynamic models of waterfowl, since most management-oriented migratory bird models concern waterfowl species. We describe the management context for these modeling efforts, with a focus on large-scale operational data collection programs and on processes by which waterfowl harves
Authors
B.K. Williams, J. D. Nichols
Small mammal populations at hazardous waste disposal sites near Houston, Texas, USA
Small mammals were trapped, tagged and recaptured in 0·45 ha plots at six hazardous industrial waste disposal sites to determine if populations, body mass and age structures were different from paired control site plots. Low numbers of six species of small mammals were captured on industrial waste sites or control sites. Only populations of hispid cotton rats at industrial waste sites and control
Authors
Edward L. Flickinger, J. D. Nichols
Postfledging survival of European starlings
We tested the hypotheses that mass at fledging and fledge date within the breeding season affect postfledging survival in European Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris). Nestlings were weighed on day 18 after hatch and tagged with individually identifiable patagial tags. Fledge date was recorded. Marked fledglings were resighted during weekly two—day intensive observation periods for >9 wk postfledging. Po
Authors
David G. Krementz, James D. Nichols, James E. Hines
Model-based estimates of annual survival rate are preferable to observed maximum lifespan statistics for use in comparative life-history studies
Estimates of longevity are available for many animals, and are commonly used in comparative life-history analyses. We suggest that annual survival rate is more appropriate life history parameter for most comparative life history analyses. Observed maximum longevities were not correlated with the annual survival rate estimates and appear to be unstable over time. We recommend that observed maxim
Authors
D.G. Krementz, J.R. Sauer, J. D. Nichols
Mallard survival from local to immature stage in southwestern Saskatchewan
We used 3,670 reciveries from 32,647 bandings of mallards in southwestern Saskatchewan during 1956-59 to estimate the probability of surviving from the local, flightless stage to the flighted, immature stage. The probability of surviving from the local to the immature stage was 0.84 +/- 0.05 (SE) for males and females. The geographic distribution of direct recoveries was similar for the birds ba
Authors
J.B. Hestbeck, A. Dzubin, J.B. Gollop, J. D. Nichols
Evaluation and experimentation with duck management strategies
Our knowledge of the effects of hunting regulations on duck populations has been based largely on retrospective studies of historical data. We have reached the limits of what can be learned in this way. Future knowledge gains will likely come about only through experimentation and adaptive management.
Authors
J. D. Nichols, F.A. Johnson
A computer program for sample size computations for banding studies
Sample sizes necessary for estimating survival rates of banded birds, adults and young, are derived based on specified levels of precision. The banding study can be new or ongoing. The desired coefficient of variation (CV) for annual survival estimates, the CV for mean annual survival estimates, and the length of the study must be specified to compute sample sizes. A computer program is availab
Authors
K.R. Wilson, J. D. Nichols, J. E. Hines
Waterfowl mortality factors
The objectives of waterfowl management in North America involve population size and harvest. Any management action intended to influence population size must do so through one of four demographic variables: reproduction, mortality, immigration, and emigration. Mortality is especially important because hunting can be strongly influenced by management.
Authors
J. D. Nichols