Jim Grace

Jim Grace (born c. 1953) is an American ecologist known for his work in structural equation modeling (SEM) and its application to ecological research. He is a leading figure in the development and promotion of SEM as a powerful tool for testing complex causal hypotheses in ecological systems.

Grace's research spans a range of ecological topics, including plant community ecology, wetland ecology, and the effects of disturbance on ecosystems. A central theme of his work is the development and application of statistical methods to understand the complex interplay of factors that influence ecological processes.

He is the author of the influential book, Structural Equation Modeling and Path Analysis with Examples in Ecology, which has become a standard reference for ecologists and other scientists using SEM. The book provides a comprehensive overview of SEM, including its underlying principles, statistical assumptions, and practical application. Grace has also published numerous articles in leading ecological journals advocating for the appropriate use and interpretation of SEM in ecological research.

Grace’s contributions extend to clarifying best practices for model building, variable selection, and causal inference within the SEM framework, specifically within the context of observational ecological data. His work emphasizes the importance of strong theoretical foundations and careful consideration of alternative causal models when using SEM to investigate ecological relationships.