Jim Sheehan, Ph.D.
Ecologist & Sole Proprietor: Natural Data Solutions
BIO
My background is in ecology, biology, data management, statistics, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and remote sensing of the environment. I have been fortunate to work as a “field tech” on many amazing research projects from Maine to Florida, using my bird identification and other biological survey skills to collect information critical to the management and conservation of our great natural resources and places.
As much as I love field work, I also developed early on a passion and talent for the computer technology end of things. Whether I am creating a richly-detailed map to convey spatial knowledge, cleaning and processing a pile of disorganized raw data into a highly functional and versatile relational database management system, or applying an advanced statistical technique as a data scientist, I enjoy it all and constantly strive to improve in it. It is also one of my distinct pleasures to help others learn to do what I can do, and take it from there!
C.V.
EDUCATION
Ph.D., Forest Resource Science
West Virginia University, 2017
- Graduate coursework: Introduction to & Advanced Remote Sensing, Geographic Information Science, Spatial Analysis for Resource Management, Statistical Methods 2, Biogeography, Forest Stand Dynamics, and Conservation Biology.
M.S., Biology
East Stroudsburg University, 2003
- Graduate coursework: Database Systems, Linear Statistical Modeling Methods, Ornithology, Mammalogy, Herpetology, Plant Ecology, Systematics, Wildlife Diseases, and Predator-Prey Relationships.
B.S., Wildlife Management
University of Maine, 1990
- Science and Research Concentration
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Doctoral Researcher
WV Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Morgantown, WV, 2011 – 2017
- Used high-resolution QuickBird satellite image texture and topographic data to model forest habitat and avian species richness, occurrence, and abundance.
- Investigated hypotheses on territorial songbird species distributions using spatial point pattern analysis.
Graduate Research Assistant
WV Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Morgantown, WV, 2008 – 2014
- Managed field research projects on the effects of forest management and Marcellus shale gas development on birds.
- Led GIS (Geographic Information Systems) project development, designed large relational databases, and analyzed data.
TEACHING/TUTORING EXPERIENCE
Science and Technology Tutor
Independent tutor through Wyzant.com, 2017 – Present
- Data wrangling, analysis, and visualization with R/RStudio.
- GIS with ESRI ArcGIS, R, QGIS, and Google Earth Engine.
- Microsoft Access and Excel.
Teaching Assistant
West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, Spring 2017
- Foundations of Applied GIS & Remote Sensing of Environment
Online Instructor
West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 2014 – 2016
- Conservation Ecology (4 semesters)
- Ecology of Invading Species (3 semesters; also course designer)
PUBLICATIONS
Peer-reviewed journal articles:
Franz, M.W., P.B. Wood, J. Sheehan, G.A. George. 2018. Demographic response of Louisiana Waterthrush, a stream obligate songbird of conservation concern, to shale gas development. The Condor 120:265-282.
Farwell, L.S., P.B. Wood, J. Sheehan, G.A. George. 2016. Shale gas development effects on the songbird community in a central Appalachian forest. Biological Conservation 201:78-91.
Sheehan, J., P.B. Wood, D.A. Buehler, P.D. Keyser, et al. 2014. Avian response to timber harvesting applied experimentally to manage Cerulean Warbler breeding populations. Forest Ecology and Management 321:5-18.
Newell, F.L., J. Sheehan, P.B. Wood, A.D. Rodewald, et al. 2013. Comparison of point counts and territory mapping for detecting effects of forest management on songbirds. Journal of Field Ornithology 84:270-286.
Boves, T.J., D.A. Buehler, J. Sheehan, P.B. Wood, et al. 2013. Spatial variation in breeding habitat selection by Cerulean Warblers (Setophaga cerulea) throughout the Appalachian Mountains. The Auk 130:46-59.
Boves, T.J., D.A. Buehler, J. Sheehan, P.B. Wood, et al. 2013. Emulating natural disturbances for declining late-successional species: a case study of the consequences for Cerulean Warblers (Setophaga cerulea). PloS one 8:e52107.
Allen, M.C., J. Sheehan, T.L. Master, R.S. Mulvihill. 2009. Responses of Acadian Flycatchers (Empidonax virescens) to hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae) infestation in Appalachian riparian forests. The Auk 126:543-553.
Other scientific publications:
Allen, M.C., M.M. Napoli, J. Sheehan, T.L. Master, et al. 2017. Acadian Flycatcher (Empidonax virescens), version 2.0. In P.G. Rodewald (Ed.) The Birds of North America. Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY.
Wood, P.B., J. Sheehan, P.D. Keyser, D.A. Buehler, et al. 2013. Management guidelines for enhancing Cerulean Warbler breeding habitat in Appalachian hardwood forests. American Bird Conservancy. The Plains, Virginia. 28 pp.
Sheehan, J., and T.L. Master. 2010. Birds of wetland habitats in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Technical Report NPS/NER/ERMN/NRTR-2010/152. Philadelphia, PA.
Allen, M.C., J. Sheehan. 2010. Eastern hemlock decline and its effects on Pennsylvania’s birds. In S.K. Majumdar, T.L. Master, M.C. Brittingham, et al. (Eds.), Avian ecology and conservation: a Pennsylvania focus with national implications (pp. 232-245). Pennsylvania Academy of Science.
Sheehan, J. 2010. Willow Flycatcher. In M.A. Steele, M.C. Brittingham, T.J. Maret, J.F. Merritt (Eds.), Terrestrial vertebrates of Pennsylvania: a complete guide to species of special concern (pp. 179-181). Johns Hopkins University Press.
OTHER EXPERIENCE
Sole Proprietor
Natural Data Solutions, Alexandria, VA, 2018 – Present
Important Bird Areas (IBA) Biologist
National Audubon Society, Ivyland, PA, 2006 – 2008
Field and GIS Technician
Dept. of Biological Sciences, East Stroudsburg University, 2002 – 2006
EPA Research Assistant
Powdermill Nature Reserve, Rector, PA, 2000
Avian Field Biologist
Tall Timbers Research Station, Tallahassee, FL, 1996 – 1999
RESEARCH INTERESTS
- Remote sensing-based biodiversity assessment.
- Effects of climate change and habitat alteration/loss on birds and other wildlife.
- Application of citizen science for environmental monitoring.
- Hierarchical species distribution and occupancy modeling.