James (Jim) Fraser

About

Professor James Fraser is a faculty member in the Fish and Wildlife Conservation department at Virginia Tech. His research focuses on the population, behavioral, and habitat ecology of imperiled species, with the goal of understanding what limits these species to inform conservation interventions. His recent studies have concentrated on shorebirds, especially piping plovers and red knots, as well as raptors such as the crested caracara in Florida. He collaborates closely with land managers to ensure that research findings are integrated into management practices, thereby promoting effective conservation strategies. Professor Fraser has been involved in numerous research projects, including the ecology of piping plovers on the Missouri River, the stopover ecology of red knots in Virginia, and the habitat use and survival of crested caracaras in Florida. His work also examines the response of piping plovers and their prey to habitat changes caused by hurricanes, as well as the effects of human activities such as military overflights on coastal bird populations. His research extends to international efforts, such as studying waterbirds in the Yangtze River floodplain in China. Throughout his career, he has contributed to advancing understanding of species ecology and habitat requirements, which supports conservation efforts for these and other species.

Research topics

• Geography
• Environmental science
• Ecology
• Computer Science
• Biology
• Demography
• Mathematics education
• Fishery
• Psychology

Selected publications

• Drivers of a habitat shift by critically endangered Siberian cranes: Evidence from long‐term data

  Ecology and Evolution · 2020 · 33 citations

  tuber (the traditional food of cranes in natural wetlands) surveys, water level data, and remotely sensed images from 1999 to 2016 to explore the drivers of this habitat shift. Changes in Siberian crane numbers in natural wetlands and agricultural fields indicated that the habitat shift occurred in the winters of 2015-2016. Analyses using generalized linear mixed models suggested that crane numbers in natural wetlands were positively related to tuber density and the interaction between dry seaso…

  DOI

• Piping Plover population increase after Hurricane Sandy mediated by immigration and reproductive output

  Ornithological Applications · 2020 · 18 citations

  Abstract Evaluating population-level responses to conservation action following large-scale disturbance can improve the efficacy of future habitat conservation measures. In October 2012, Hurricane Sandy storm surges cleared vegetation and opened inlets through the barrier islands, Fire Island and Westhampton Island, New York, creating Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) habitat. Storm effects prompted an island-wide stabilization project, which had the potential to negatively affect novel Piping…

  DOI

• Teaching the World's Teachers

  Johns Hopkins University Press eBooks · 2020 · 16 citations

  1st authorCorresponding
  DOI

• The cascading effects of submerged macrophyte collapse on geese at Poyang Lake, China

  Freshwater Biology · 2023-03-25 · 12 citations

  articleOpen access

  Abstract Wetland habitat degradation has become more common in recent decades, leading to an increasing occurrence of food shortages for wild animals. Although the direct effects of food shortages on consumers have been well studied, the cascading effects on interspecific interactions remain poorly understood. Targeted research is required to improve our understanding of the impacts of food shortage on animals and to facilitate the development of conservation plans. Here, we used DNA metabarcodi…

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Using GPS location data to assess red fox responses to predator exclosure setup and hatching at shorebird nests

  Wildlife Society Bulletin · 2023-01-01 · 9 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Abstract Wire cages (i.e., predator exclosures) are frequently used to protect shorebird nests from predation. While exclosed nests often have higher survival than unexclosed nests, concerns exist over whether the conspicuous structures might draw attention of predators, potentially increasing risks to adults and newly‐hatched chicks. We present a new approach to investigating predator responses to exclosures and other stimuli at shorebird nests. We used location data from GPS‐collared red foxes…

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Daniel H. Catlin

  Virginia Tech

  77 shared

• Sarah M. Karpanty

  Virginia Tech

  56 shared

• Jonathan B. Cohen

  25 shared

• Joy H. Felio

  Virginia Tech

  25 shared

• Kelsi L. Hunt

  Virginia Tech

  23 shared

• Joan L. Morrison

  19 shared

• Jennifer H. Stucker

  Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

  16 shared

• Robert B. Jacobson

  16 shared

Labs

• James (Jim) Fraser LabPI

Education

• Ph.D.

  University of Minnesota System

  1981

Awards & honors

• Wildlife Society’s best monograph award (2011)
• Best student paper award from the Association of Field Ornit…

Similar researchers at Virginia Tech

• Paul Angermeierh-69
• William Hopkinsh-48
• Luis E. Escobarh-46