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: 409
Estimation of recruitment from immigration versus in situ reproduction using Pollock's robust design
Recruitment to animal populations can occur through both immigration and in situ reproduction. These two components of recruitment are conceptually distinct and lead to different mechanistic models of population dynamics. We describe a capture—recapture design that can be used to obtain separate estimates of two recruitment components. We then illustrate the use of our method and estimators with c
Authors
James D. Nichols, Kenneth H. Pollock
Temporal and spatial variation in survival rates of the tropical lizard Anolis limifrons
We evaluated survival of the lizard, Anolis limifrons at two sites, AVA and Lutz, from 1976-1979 and during two periods at Lutz site, 1971-1976 vs 1976-1979, at Barro Colorado Island, Panama. Survival of adult females and males did not differ nor did survival of juveniles and adults. In contrast, survival was significantly higher at Lutz site during 1971-1976 than during 1976-1979 and survival wa
Authors
R.M. Andrews, J. D. Nichols
Statistical inference for capture-recapture experiments
This monograph presents a detailed, practical exposition on the design, analysis, and interpretation of capture-recapture studies. The Lincoln-Petersen model (Chapter 2) and the closed population models (Chapter 3) are presented only briefly because these models have been covered in detail elsewhere. The Jolly- Seber open population model, which is central to the monograph, is covered in detail
Authors
Kenneth H. Pollock, James D. Nichols, Cavell Brownie, James E. Hines
Effects of tillage practices and carbofuran exposure on small mammals
We compared population estimates, body mass, movement, and blood chemistry of small mammals between conventionally tilled and no-till cornfields in Maryland and Pennsylvania to evaluate the effects of tillage practices and carbofuran exposure on small mammals.
Authors
P.H. Albers, G. Linder, J. D. Nichols
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
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 409
Estimation of recruitment from immigration versus in situ reproduction using Pollock's robust design
Recruitment to animal populations can occur through both immigration and in situ reproduction. These two components of recruitment are conceptually distinct and lead to different mechanistic models of population dynamics. We describe a capture—recapture design that can be used to obtain separate estimates of two recruitment components. We then illustrate the use of our method and estimators with c
Authors
James D. Nichols, Kenneth H. Pollock
Temporal and spatial variation in survival rates of the tropical lizard Anolis limifrons
We evaluated survival of the lizard, Anolis limifrons at two sites, AVA and Lutz, from 1976-1979 and during two periods at Lutz site, 1971-1976 vs 1976-1979, at Barro Colorado Island, Panama. Survival of adult females and males did not differ nor did survival of juveniles and adults. In contrast, survival was significantly higher at Lutz site during 1971-1976 than during 1976-1979 and survival wa
Authors
R.M. Andrews, J. D. Nichols
Statistical inference for capture-recapture experiments
This monograph presents a detailed, practical exposition on the design, analysis, and interpretation of capture-recapture studies. The Lincoln-Petersen model (Chapter 2) and the closed population models (Chapter 3) are presented only briefly because these models have been covered in detail elsewhere. The Jolly- Seber open population model, which is central to the monograph, is covered in detail
Authors
Kenneth H. Pollock, James D. Nichols, Cavell Brownie, James E. Hines
Effects of tillage practices and carbofuran exposure on small mammals
We compared population estimates, body mass, movement, and blood chemistry of small mammals between conventionally tilled and no-till cornfields in Maryland and Pennsylvania to evaluate the effects of tillage practices and carbofuran exposure on small mammals.
Authors
P.H. Albers, G. Linder, J. D. Nichols
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