Lisa Webb, PhD
Regional Supervisor - Southern Region - Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units
In 2024, Lisa accepted the Unit Supervisor (South) Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit position. Unit scientists and unit supervisors work with cooperators to help them identify their needs, and unit supervisors ensure that all research conducted is aligned with the USGS mission.
Originally from upstate New York, Dr. Webb was the Assistant Unit Leader of the Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit and Cooperative Associate Professor in the School of Natural Resources at the University of Missouri. Prior to joining the Missouri Unit in 2011, Dr. Webb received her undergraduate degree from Washington and Lee University and graduate degrees from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale and Texas Tech University.
Previously, Lisa was the applied water bird and wetland ecologist with a research program focused on understanding the interactions among species life history strategies, spatial ecology and distributions of wetland-dependent organisms. Her research expertise includes quantifying the role of spatial habitat configuration and composition in influencing distributions, behaviors, movements and fitness of wetland-dependent taxa. Lisa is particularly interested in investigating the mechanistic relationships and spatial processes of animal distributions, with an emphasis on understanding how these relationships are altered by management practices, anthropogenic activities and land use change. Her research incorporates field and lab experiments with remote-sensing tools, simulation modeling and quantitative methods to answer novel, applied wildlife research questions from local to continental scales.
Professional Experience
Unit Supervisor (South) USGS Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, 2024-
Assistant Unit Leader, Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, 2011-2024
Education and Certifications
Ph D Texas Tech University 2006
MS Southern Illinois University - Carbondale 2002
BA Washington and Lee University 1999
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 48
Communication strategies for reducing lead poisoning in wildlife and human health risks
Although lead poisoning in North American waterfowl has been reduced, it persists among other wildlife. To address this issue, we review lead poisoning in wildlife and threats to human health, describe the recent socio-political landscape, and develop a framework for reducing lead exposure related to hunting ammunition and fishing tackle. Despite substantial information about lead poisoning in wil
Authors
John H. Schulz, Sonja A. Wilhelm Stanis, Elisabeth B. Webb, Christine Jie Li, Damon M. Hall
Space use, forays, and habitat selection in California Spotted Owls (Strix occidentalis occidentalis): New insights from high resolution GPS tracking
Our current understanding of the relationship between imperiled species and forest management can benefit from global positioning system (GPS) technologies. Fauna of lateseral stage forests have historically been difficult to detect and track in rugged terrain, leading to challenges in movement characterization and conservation. We investigated movement of California Spotted Owls (Strix occidental
Authors
R. V. Blakey, R. B. Siegel, Elisabeth B. Webb, Colin P. Dillingham, R.L. Bauer, M. Tracy Johnson, Dylan C. Kesler
Conservation Tools and Strategies
No abstract available.
Authors
Jeffrey R. Walters, Dylan C. Kesler, Elisabeth B. Webb
A review of Bayesian belief network models as decision-support tools for wetland conservation: Are water birds potential umbrella taxa?
Creative approaches to identifying umbrella species hold promise for devising effective surrogates of ecological communities or ecosystems. However, mechanistic niche models that predict range or habitat overlap among species may yet lack development. We reviewed literature on taxon-centered Bayesian belief network (BBN) models to explore a novel approach to identify umbrella taxa identifying taxo
Authors
Maggie P. MacPherson, Elisabeth B. Webb, Andy Raedeke, Doreen C. Mengel, Frank Nelson
Are waterfowl food resources limited during spring migration? A bioenergetic assessment of playas in Nebraska's rainwater basin
Accurate bioenergetic carrying capacity estimates of wetlands on public and private lands, as well as those managed for crop production are important for managing waterfowl populations and habitats. Given the importance of wetlands in the Rainwater Basin region of Nebraska for spring migrating waterfowl, we quantified and compared seed and aquatic invertebrate biomass and true metabolizable energ
Authors
Travis J. Schepker, Ted LaGrange, Elisabeth B. Webb
Neonicotinoid insecticides negatively affect performance measures of non‐target terrestrial arthropods: a meta‐analysis
Neonicotinoid insecticides are currently the fastest‐growing and most widely used insecticide class worldwide. Valued for their versatility in application, these insecticides may cause deleterious effects in a range of non‐target (beneficial) arthropods. However, it remains unclear whether strong patterns exist in terms of their major effects, if broad measures of arthropod performance are negativ
Authors
Anson Main, Elisabeth B. Webb, Keith W. Goyne, Doreen C. Mengel
Evaluating indices of lipid and protein content in lesser snow and Ross's geese during spring migration
Assessing nutrient stores in avian species is important for understanding the extent to which body condition influences success or failure in life‐history events. We evaluated predictive models using morphometric characteristics to estimate total body lipids (TBL) and total body protein (TBP), based on traditional proximate analyses, in spring migrating lesser snow geese (Anser caerulescens caerul
Authors
Elisabeth B. Webb, Drew N. Fowler, Brendan A. Woodall, Mark P. Vrtiska
Visual cues for woodpeckers: light reflectance of decayed wood varies by decay fungus
The appearance of wood substrates is likely relevant to bird species with life histories that require regular interactions with wood for food and shelter. Woodpeckers detect decayed wood for cavity placement or foraging, and some species may be capable of detecting trees decayed by specific fungi; however, a mechanism allowing for such specificity remains unidentified. We hypothesized that decay f
Authors
Sean T. O'Daniels, Dylan C. Kesler, Jeanne D. Mihail, Elisabeth B. Webb, Scott J. Werner
Evaluating the potential for weed seed dispersal based on waterfowl consumption and seed viability
BACKGROUNDMigratory waterfowl have often been implicated in the movement of troublesome agronomic and wetland weed species. However, minimal research has been conducted to investigate the dispersal of agronomically important weed species by waterfowl. The two objectives for this project were to determine what weed species are being consumed by ducks and snow geese, and to determine the recovery ra
Authors
Jaime A. Farmer, Elisabeth B. Webb, Robert A. Pierce, Kevin W. Bradley
Waterbird communities and seed biomass in managed and reference-restored wetlands in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) commenced the Migratory Bird Habitat Initiative (MBHI) in summer 2010 after the April 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The MBHI enrolled in the program 193,000 ha of private wet- and cropland inland from potential oil-impaired wetlands. We evaluated waterfowl and other waterbird use and potential seed/tuber food resources in
Authors
Jessica L. Tapp, Matthew M. Weegman, Elisabeth B. Webb, Richard M. Kaminski, J. Brian Davis
Functional visual sensitivity to ultraviolet wavelengths in the Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus), and its influence on foraging substrate selection
Most diurnal birds are presumed visually sensitive to near ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths, however, controlled behavioral studies investigating UV sensitivity remain few. Although woodpeckers are important as primary cavity excavators and nuisance animals, published work on their visual systems is limited. We developed a novel foraging-based behavioral assay designed to test UV sensitivity in the Pi
Authors
Sean T. O'Daniels, Dylan C. Kesler, Jeanne D. Mihail, Elisabeth B. Webb, Scott J. Werner
Light Goose Conservation Order effects on nontarget waterfowl behavior and energy expenditure
When the Light Goose Conservation Order (LGCO) was established during 1999 in the Rainwater Basin of Nebraska, USA, LGCO activities were limited to 4 days/week and 16 public wetlands were closed to the LGCO to limit disturbance to nontarget waterfowl during this energetically important time period. However, the effects of LGCO activities on waterfowl behavior and energy expenditure are relatively
Authors
Andrew J. Dinges, Elisabeth B. Webb, Mark P. Vrtiska
Science and Products
- Publications
Filter Total Items: 48
Communication strategies for reducing lead poisoning in wildlife and human health risks
Although lead poisoning in North American waterfowl has been reduced, it persists among other wildlife. To address this issue, we review lead poisoning in wildlife and threats to human health, describe the recent socio-political landscape, and develop a framework for reducing lead exposure related to hunting ammunition and fishing tackle. Despite substantial information about lead poisoning in wilAuthorsJohn H. Schulz, Sonja A. Wilhelm Stanis, Elisabeth B. Webb, Christine Jie Li, Damon M. HallSpace use, forays, and habitat selection in California Spotted Owls (Strix occidentalis occidentalis): New insights from high resolution GPS tracking
Our current understanding of the relationship between imperiled species and forest management can benefit from global positioning system (GPS) technologies. Fauna of lateseral stage forests have historically been difficult to detect and track in rugged terrain, leading to challenges in movement characterization and conservation. We investigated movement of California Spotted Owls (Strix occidentalAuthorsR. V. Blakey, R. B. Siegel, Elisabeth B. Webb, Colin P. Dillingham, R.L. Bauer, M. Tracy Johnson, Dylan C. KeslerConservation Tools and Strategies
No abstract available.AuthorsJeffrey R. Walters, Dylan C. Kesler, Elisabeth B. WebbA review of Bayesian belief network models as decision-support tools for wetland conservation: Are water birds potential umbrella taxa?
Creative approaches to identifying umbrella species hold promise for devising effective surrogates of ecological communities or ecosystems. However, mechanistic niche models that predict range or habitat overlap among species may yet lack development. We reviewed literature on taxon-centered Bayesian belief network (BBN) models to explore a novel approach to identify umbrella taxa identifying taxoAuthorsMaggie P. MacPherson, Elisabeth B. Webb, Andy Raedeke, Doreen C. Mengel, Frank NelsonAre waterfowl food resources limited during spring migration? A bioenergetic assessment of playas in Nebraska's rainwater basin
Accurate bioenergetic carrying capacity estimates of wetlands on public and private lands, as well as those managed for crop production are important for managing waterfowl populations and habitats. Given the importance of wetlands in the Rainwater Basin region of Nebraska for spring migrating waterfowl, we quantified and compared seed and aquatic invertebrate biomass and true metabolizable energAuthorsTravis J. Schepker, Ted LaGrange, Elisabeth B. WebbNeonicotinoid insecticides negatively affect performance measures of non‐target terrestrial arthropods: a meta‐analysis
Neonicotinoid insecticides are currently the fastest‐growing and most widely used insecticide class worldwide. Valued for their versatility in application, these insecticides may cause deleterious effects in a range of non‐target (beneficial) arthropods. However, it remains unclear whether strong patterns exist in terms of their major effects, if broad measures of arthropod performance are negativAuthorsAnson Main, Elisabeth B. Webb, Keith W. Goyne, Doreen C. MengelEvaluating indices of lipid and protein content in lesser snow and Ross's geese during spring migration
Assessing nutrient stores in avian species is important for understanding the extent to which body condition influences success or failure in life‐history events. We evaluated predictive models using morphometric characteristics to estimate total body lipids (TBL) and total body protein (TBP), based on traditional proximate analyses, in spring migrating lesser snow geese (Anser caerulescens caerulAuthorsElisabeth B. Webb, Drew N. Fowler, Brendan A. Woodall, Mark P. VrtiskaVisual cues for woodpeckers: light reflectance of decayed wood varies by decay fungus
The appearance of wood substrates is likely relevant to bird species with life histories that require regular interactions with wood for food and shelter. Woodpeckers detect decayed wood for cavity placement or foraging, and some species may be capable of detecting trees decayed by specific fungi; however, a mechanism allowing for such specificity remains unidentified. We hypothesized that decay fAuthorsSean T. O'Daniels, Dylan C. Kesler, Jeanne D. Mihail, Elisabeth B. Webb, Scott J. WernerEvaluating the potential for weed seed dispersal based on waterfowl consumption and seed viability
BACKGROUNDMigratory waterfowl have often been implicated in the movement of troublesome agronomic and wetland weed species. However, minimal research has been conducted to investigate the dispersal of agronomically important weed species by waterfowl. The two objectives for this project were to determine what weed species are being consumed by ducks and snow geese, and to determine the recovery raAuthorsJaime A. Farmer, Elisabeth B. Webb, Robert A. Pierce, Kevin W. BradleyWaterbird communities and seed biomass in managed and reference-restored wetlands in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) commenced the Migratory Bird Habitat Initiative (MBHI) in summer 2010 after the April 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The MBHI enrolled in the program 193,000 ha of private wet- and cropland inland from potential oil-impaired wetlands. We evaluated waterfowl and other waterbird use and potential seed/tuber food resources inAuthorsJessica L. Tapp, Matthew M. Weegman, Elisabeth B. Webb, Richard M. Kaminski, J. Brian DavisFunctional visual sensitivity to ultraviolet wavelengths in the Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus), and its influence on foraging substrate selection
Most diurnal birds are presumed visually sensitive to near ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths, however, controlled behavioral studies investigating UV sensitivity remain few. Although woodpeckers are important as primary cavity excavators and nuisance animals, published work on their visual systems is limited. We developed a novel foraging-based behavioral assay designed to test UV sensitivity in the PiAuthorsSean T. O'Daniels, Dylan C. Kesler, Jeanne D. Mihail, Elisabeth B. Webb, Scott J. WernerLight Goose Conservation Order effects on nontarget waterfowl behavior and energy expenditure
When the Light Goose Conservation Order (LGCO) was established during 1999 in the Rainwater Basin of Nebraska, USA, LGCO activities were limited to 4 days/week and 16 public wetlands were closed to the LGCO to limit disturbance to nontarget waterfowl during this energetically important time period. However, the effects of LGCO activities on waterfowl behavior and energy expenditure are relativelyAuthorsAndrew J. Dinges, Elisabeth B. Webb, Mark P. Vrtiska