New Mexico Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Staff Member
Dr. Abby Lawson
Education
- Ph D Clemson University 2019
- MS University of Nevada, Reno 2012
- BS University of California, Davis 2007
Biography
Dr. Lawson joined the New Mexico Unit as an Assistant Unit Leader of Wildlife in 2021. She received graduate degrees from the University of Nevada, Reno and Clemson University, and later worked as a postdoc in the Alabama Cooperative Research Unit at Auburn University, followed by the USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center. Her research is management- and conservation-motivated, incorporating ecological theory and quantitative methods to support decision making in the face of uncertainty. Her research often involves field studies to estimate population vital rates, and to describe movement and foraging patterns. Most of her research focuses on upland game birds, waterfowl, and reptiles, though she also works with species of conservation concern including raptors, migratory songbirds, and cryptic marshbirds. A second major component of her research involves the application of structured decision making and adaptive management, as well as the development of predictive models and decision analytic tools. She has provided decision support for diverse topics including monitoring program design, harvest programs, species conservation status designations, capital investments, and research prioritization. Dr. Lawson teaches graduate-level courses in Structured Decision Making and Science Communication.
Areas of Expertise
Adaptive Management, Behavioral Ecology, Contaminants, Decision Support/Analysis, Desert Ecology, Energy: Development/Alternative, Grassland Ecology, Population Dynamics, Population and Community Ecology, Resilience, Species Management, Species Status Assessments, Statistics and Modelling, T&E Species Management, Toxicology, Wildlife Management
Taxon Groups Studied
Amphibians, Gamebirds, Nongame Fish/Wildlife, Reptiles, Songbirds, Species of Greatest Conservation Need, Waterfowl
| Research Publications | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| Stantial, M.L., A.J. Lawson, A.M.V. Fournier, P.J. Kappes, C.S. Kross, M.C. Runge, M.W. Woodrey, and J.E. Lyons. 2023. Qualitative value of information provides a transparent and repeatable method for identifying critical uncertainty. Ecological Applications:e2824. | Abstract | Publisher Website | February 2023 |
| Lawson, A.J., P.G.R. Jodice, T.R. Rainwater, K.D. Dunham, M. Hart, J.W. Butfiloski, P.M. Wilkinson, K.W. McFadden, C.T. Moore. Hidden in plain sight: integrated population models to resolve partially observable latent population structure. Ecosphere 13(12):e4321 | Abstract | Download | Publisher Website | December 2022 |
| Lawson, A.J., K. Kalasz, M.C. Runge, A.C. Schwarzer, M.L. Stantial, M. Woodrey, J.E. Lyons. 2022. Application of qualitative value of information to prioritize uncertainties about eastern black rail population recovery. Conservation Science and Practice 4:e12732. | Abstract | Download | Publisher Website | May 2022 |
| Lawson, A.J., J.S. Sedinger, and E.J. Taylor. 2017. Life history patterns, individual heterogeneity, and density dependence in breeding common goldeneyes of the northern boreal forest. Journal of Avian Biology 48:597–610. doi:10.1111/jav.00975 | Abstract | Publisher Website | February 2017 |
| Lawson, A.J., J.S. Sedinger, and E.J. Taylor. 2017. Identifying demographic and environmental drivers of recruitment and population growth in a cavity nesting sea duck population. Journal of Avian Biology 48:1394–1405. doi: 10.1111/jav.01359 | Abstract | Publisher Website | September 2017 |
| Lawson, A.J., Clinton T. Moore, Thomas R. Rainwater, Frances M. Nilsen, Philip M. Wilkinson, Russell H. Lowers, Louis J. Guillette Jr., K.W. McFadden, and Patrick G.R. Jodice. 2020. Nonlinear patterns in mercury bioaccumulation in American alligators are a function of predicted age. Science of the Total Environment 707:135103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135103 | Download | March 2020 |
| Lawson AJ, Folt B, Tucker AM, Erickson FT, McGowan CP. 2021. Decision context is a necessary component of population viability analysis appraisal. Conservation Biology. doi: 10.1111/cobi.13818 | Publisher Website | August 2021 |
| Dunham, K.D., P.K. Devers, A.J. Lawson, J.E. Lyons, C.P. McGowan, J.A. Royle. 2023. Strategic monitoring to minimize misclassification errors from conservation status assessments. Conservation Biology. | Download | Publisher Website | September 2023 |
| Presentations | Presentation Date |
|---|---|
| Zimba, H., M. McCaffery, C. Wiese, S. Hillard, A.J. Lawson. 2024. Habitat selection of translocated Bolson tortoises. NMSU Research and Creativity Week; Las Cruces, New Mexico. February 26 – March 1st, 2024. | February 2024 |
| Zimba, H., M. McCaffery, C. Wiese, S. Hillard, A.J. Lawson. 2023. Daily Activity Patterns and Home Range of Translocated Bolson Tortoises. Chihuahuan Desert Conference; El Paso, Texas. November 15-17. | November 2023 |
| Zimba, H., M. McCaffery, A.J. Lawson 2023. Habitat Selection of Translocated Bolson Tortoises. New Mexico State University Biosymposium; Las Cruces, New Mexico. 15 April. Poster presentation | April 2023 |
| Watson, W.A., C.C. Borgman, S. Cox, T.F. Wright, A.J. Lawson. 2024. Inferring demographic trends of Rosy-finches from long-term wintering data in New Mexico. NMSU Research and Creativity Week; Las Cruces, New Mexico. February 26 – March 1st, 2024. | February 2024 |
| Watson, W.A., C.C. Borgman, S. Cox, T.F. Wright, A.J. Lawson. 2023. Inferring demographic trends of Rosy-finches from long-term wintering data in New Mexico. Chihuahuan Desert Conference; El Paso, Texas. November 15-17. | November 2023 |
| Vennum, C.R., M.J. Eaton, P.E. Howell, B.A. Millsap, I. Rangwala, O.J. Robinson, A.J. Lawson. 2023. Incorporating Dynamic Climate Effects into Decision Support Models to Inform Raptor Take Limits for Swainson’s Hawks in the Central Flyway. Chihuahuan Desert Conference; El Paso, Texas. 15-17 November. | November 2023 |
| Stantial, M.L., A.M.V. Fournier, A.J. Godar, A.J. Lawson, P.K. Kappes, C.S. Kross, M.S. Woodrey, J.E. Lyons. 2022. Informing the use of prescribed fire in an adaptive management framework for Gulf of Mexico high marshes using an expert-based Bayesian decision network. Gulf of Mexico Conference; Baton Rouge, Louisiana. 25-28 April. | April 2022 |
| Stantial, M.L., A.M.V. Fournier, A. Godar, A.J. Lawson, J.E. Lyons. 2022. Using An Expert-Based Bayesian Network to Inform the Use of Prescribed Fire in High Marshes of the Gulf of Mexico. The Wildlife Society Annual Conference; Spokane, Washington. 6-10 November. | November 2022 |
| Stantial, M.L., A.J. Lawson, A.M.V. Fournier, P. Kappes, C. Kross, M.C. Runge, M. Woodrey, J.E. Lyons. 2022. Qualitative Value of Information Provides a Transparent and Repeatable Method for Identifying Critical Uncertainty Regarding the Use of Prescribed Fire to Benefit Black Rails and Other Marshbirds. Institute for Operations Research and Management Sciences Annual Meeting; Indianapolis, Indiana. 16-29 October. | October 2022 |
| Stantial, M.L., A.J. Lawson, A.M.V. Fournier, P. Kappes, C. Kross, M.C. Runge, M. Woodrey, J.E. Lyons. 2021. Qualitative Value of Information Provides a Transparent and Repeatable Method for Identifying Critical Uncertainty Regarding the Use of Prescribed Fire to Benefit Black Rails and Other Marshbirds. The Wildlife Society Annual Conference; Virtual. 1-5 November. | November 2021 |
| Stantial, M.L., A.J. Lawson, A.M.V. Fournier, P. Kappes, C. Kross, M.C. Runge, M. Woodrey, J.E. Lyons. 2021. Qualitative Value of Information Provides a Transparent and Repeatable Method for Identifying Critical Uncertainty Regarding the Use of Prescribed Fire to Benefit Black Rails and Other Marshbirds. American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting; Virtual. 13-17 December. | December 2021 |
| Stantial, M.L., A.J. Lawson, A.M.V. Fournier, P. Kappes, C. Kross, M. Woodrey, J.E. Lyons. 2021. Informing the use of prescribed fire in an adaptive management framework for Gulf of Mexico high marshes using an expert-based Bayesian Network model. Gulf of Mexico Conference; Virtual. 14th April. | April 2021 |
| McGowan CP, Lawson AJ, Katz RA, Crawford BA, 2022, Expert judgement in wildlife science and decision making, The Wildlife Society Annual Meeting, November 2022, Spokane, WA, USA | November 2022 |
| Matos-Sepulveda, C., T.F. Wright, D.P. Collins, and A.J. Lawson. 2024. Movement and home range of Mexican ducks in southeastern Arizona. NMSU Research and Creativity Week; Las Cruces, New Mexico. February 26 – March 1st, 2024. | February 2024 |
| Matos-Sepulveda, C., T.F. Wright, D.P. Collins, and A.J. Lawson. 2023. Stock tank use by Mallard and Mexican Ducks in arid southeastern Arizona. Chihuahuan Desert Conference; El Paso, Texas. November 15-17. | November 2023 |
| Lyons, J.E., A.J. Lawson, M.L. Stantial, A. Weldon. 2021. Ecology and conservation of Eastern black rail: Road to recovery through management. The Wildlife Society Annual Conference, Virtual, 1-5 November. | November 2021 |
| Lee, J.B., D.J. Vargo, J.B. Bulger, C.J. Cardinal, M.A. Boggie, E.J. Goldstein, A.J. Lawson. 2022. Natural history and reintroduction of the white-tailed ptarmigan in New Mexico. Wilson Ornithological Society Meeting; Santa Fe, New Mexico. 17-20 July. | July 2022 |
| Lee, J.B., D.J. Vargo, J.B. Bulger, C.J. Cardinal, M.A. Boggie, E.J. Goldstein, A.J. Lawson. 2022. Natural history and reintroduction of the white-tailed ptarmigan in New Mexico. New Mexico Ornithological Society Meeting, Virtual; 26th March. | March 2022 |
| Lawson, A.J., and K.W. McFadden. 2014. Optimizing survey designs for complex habitat: evaluating seasonal variation of alligator abundance estimates derived from nightlight surveys in South Carolina. Crocodile Specialist Group Working Meeting, Lake Charles, Louisiana, USA. | May 2014 |
| Lawson, A.J., and K.W. McFadden. 2014. Optimizing Alligator Nightlight Survey Designs for Complex Habitat: Evaluating Seasonal Variation in Abundance and Detectability in South Carolina. The Wildlife Society Annual Conference, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Poster Presentation. | October 2014 |
| Lawson, A.J., and K.W. McFadden. 2013. South Carolina alligator adaptive management strategies: population dynamics, habitat utilization, and conservation threats. U.S. Geological Survey South Carolina Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Coordinating Committee Meeting, Clemson, South Carolina. | May 2013 |
| Lawson, A.J., and K.W. McFadden. 2013. Influence of habitat on American Alligator densities in coastal South Carolina derived from nightlight survey data (1971-2012). The Wildlife Society Annual Conference, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Poster presentation. | October 2013 |
| Lawson, A.J., P.G.R. Jodice. 2015. Do changes in size class composition influence ontogenetic niche shifts in American alligators? Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting. Baltimore, Maryland. | September 2015 |
| Lawson, A.J., P.G.R. Jodice, and C.T. Moore. 2019. Synthesizing monitoring data to estimate abundance and detection probability in American alligators in South Carolina. Southeastern Assoc Fish & Wildlife Agencies. | October 2019 |
| Lawson, A.J., M.L. Stantial, M.D. Correll, M. Hartley, K. Kalasz, M.C. Runge, A. Schwarzer, C. Watson, A. Weldon, and J.E. Lyons. 2021. Reducing uncertainties in eastern black rail conservation: qualitative value of information to identify field experiments in a resilience-experimentalist adaptive management framework. The Wildlife Society Annual Conference; Virtual. 1-5 November. | November 2021 |
| Lawson, A.J., M.L. Stantial, A.D. Smith, and J.E. Lyons. 2021. Best-case scenario planning: evaluating tradeoffs among abundance and occupancy monitoring frameworks to detect eastern black rail population trends in optimal habitat. The Wildlife Society Annual Conference; Virtual. 1-5 November. | November 2021 |
| Lawson, A.J., M. Correll, K.D. Dunham, A.D. Smith, M.L. Stantial, and J.E. Lyons. 2023. Accounting for model convergence failure when evaluating tradeoffs in meta-population monitoring program designs for cryptic species. The Wildlife Society Annual Conference; Louisville, Kentucky. November 5–9. | November 2023 |
| Lawson, A.J., K.W. McFadden, P.G.R. Jodice. 2015. Does harvest pressure influence body size class composition in American alligator populations? The Wildlife Society Annual Meeting. Winnipeg, Manitoba. | October 2015 |
| Lawson, A.J., J.S. Sedinger, and E.J. Taylor. 2013. Does density dependence influence local recruitment and population growth of Common Goldeneyes? The Wildlife Society Annual Conference, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Oral presentation. | October 2013 |
| Lawson, A.J., J.H. Gardner, M.L. Stantial, and C.S. Rushing. 2022. Value added conservation: prioritizing critical uncertainties for rosy-finch conservation in a warming world. Institute for Operations Research and Management Sciences; Indianapolis, Indiana. 16-19 October. | October 2022 |
| Lawson, A.J., J.H. Gardner, J.E. Lyons, C.S. Rushing, M.L. Stantial, M.C. Runge. 2022. Value-added conservation: Prioritizing critical uncertainties in avian conservation using value of information. Wilson Ornithological Society, Santa Fe, New Mexico. 17-20 July. | July 2022 |
| Lawson, A.J., J.E. Lyons, K. Kalasz, M.C. Runge, M. Woodrey. 2020. Application of Value of Information to Prioritize Conservation Actions for the Eastern Black Rail. Institute for Operations Research and Management Sciences; Virtual. 8-13 November. | November 2020 |
| Lawson, A.J., J.E. Lyons, K. Kalasz, M.C. Runge, A. Schwarzer, M.L. Stantial, M. Woodrey. 2020. Application of Value of Information to Prioritize Conservation Actions for the Eastern Black Rail on the Atlantic Coast. The Waterbirds Society Meeting; Virtual. 3-13 November. | November 2020 |
| Lawson, A.J., E. Rivenbark, C.P. McGowan. 2022. Reconciling and propagating uncertainty from expert elicited data into decision support population viability analyses. The Wildlife Society Annual Conference; Spokane, Washington. 6–10 November. | November 2022 |
| Lawson, A.J., C.T. Moore, and P.G.R. Jodice. 2018. Synthesizing multiple data streams to estimate abundance and detection probability in a highly wary, long-lived apex predator: an integrated modeling approach. International Statistical Ecology Conference, 2-6 July 2018, St. Andrews, Scotland. | July 2018 |
| Lawson, A.J., C.T. Moore, T.R. Rainwater, F.M. Nilsen, P.M. Wilkinson, R.H. Lowers, L.J. Guillette Jr., K.W. McFadden, and P.G.R. Jodice. 2019. Non-linear mercury bioaccumulation patterns in American alligators are a function of predicted age. The Wildlife Society Annual Conference, Reno, Nevada, USA. | October 2019 |
| Lawson, A.J. 2014. Land cover influence on South Carolina American alligator densities derived from nightlight surveys (1971-2013). Clemson University Graduate Research and Discovery Symposium, Clemson, South Carolina, 4 April 2014. | April 2014 |
| Lawson, A.J, P.G.R. Jodice, C.T. Moore. 2015. Using Seasonal Abundance Patterns to Improve Monitoring Programs and Conservation Decision-Making: An American Alligator Example. Annual Meeting of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, 1-4 November 2015, Asheville, NC. | November 2015 |
| Lawson, A., P. Jodice, T. Rainwater, K.W. McFadden. Evaluating American alligator home range size and site fidelity patterns in artificial wetlands. International Congress for Conservation Biology; Cartagena, Colombia. | July 2017 |
| Lawson, A. J., T. G. Crawford, and C. T. Moore. 2019. Development of an American alligator adaptive harvest management framework: what can be learned from waterfowl management? Oral presentation at Joint Annual Conference of American Fisheries Society and The Wildlife Society, 29 September - 3 October 2019, Reno, NV. | September 2019 |
| Lawson, A. J., C. T. Moore, P. G. R. Jodice, and K. W. McFadden. 2016. Optimizing American alligator population survey design to improve management decision-making. The Wildlife Society 23rd Annual Conference, 15-19 October 2016, Raleigh, NC. | October 2016 |
| Lawson, A. J., C. T. Moore, B. E. Ross, and P. G. R. Jodice. 2018. Synthesizing multiple data streams to estimate abundance and detection probability in a highly wary, long-lived apex predator: an integrated modeling approach. The Wildlife Society 25th Annual Conference, 7-11 October 2018, Cleveland, OH. | October 2018 |
| Lawson AJ, DeMay SM, Rivenbark E, Soileau K, London K, Waddle JH, Yarborough L, Coppola C, and McGowan, CP, 2020, Accounting for Multiple Uncertainties to Evaluate Population Viability of the Alligator Snapping Turtle for the Species Status Assessment. The Wildlife Society Annual Conference; Virtual. October 2020. | October 2020 |
| Howell, P.E., Davis, K.P., G. Zimmerman, H. White, A.J. Lawson, M.J. Eaton, M.A. Boggie, O.J. Robinson, K. Madden, B. Millsap. 2023. Estimating American Kestrel population vital rates at a broad geographic scale. Raptor Research Foundation; Albuquerque, New Mexico. October 17–22, 2023. | October 2023 |
| Davis, K.P., E.R. Bjerre, C.W. Boal, M.A. Boggie, M.J. Eaton, J.H. Herner-Thogmartin, P.E. Howell, K. Madden, B. Millsap, O.J. Robinson, H. White, G. Zimmerman, A.J. Lawson. 2023. Collaborative Research Prioritization to Evaluate Potential Drivers of Population Declines for the American Kestrel in North America. The Wildlife Society Annual Conference; Louisville, Kentucky. November 5–9, 2023. | November 2023 |
| Davis, K.P., E.R. Bjerre, C.W. Boal, M.A. Boggie, M.J. Eaton, J.H. Herner-Thogmartin, P.E. Howell, K. Madden, B. Millsap, O.J. Robinson, H. White, G. Zimmerman, A.J. Lawson. 2023. Collaborative Research Prioritization to Evaluate Potential Drivers of Population Declines for the American Kestrel in North America. Raptor Research Foundation; Albuquerque, New Mexico. October 17–22, 2023. | October 2023 |
| Correll, M.D., A.J. Lawson, M. Hartley, M.L. Stantial, C. Watson, A. Weldon, and J.E. Lyons. 2021. Reducing uncertainties in eastern black rail conservation: identifying species and management needs for a rare and highly cryptic marsh bird. The Wildlife Society Annual Conference; Virtual. 1-5 November. | November 2021 |
| Christensen, E., C.P. McGowan, D. Castellanos, J. Culbertson, C. Eakin, B. Firmin, P.K. London, L. Pearson, E. Rivenbark, A.J. Lawson. 2023. Evaluating Sensitivity of Expert Elicited Parameters Within Decision Support Population Viability Analyses. The Wildlife Society Annual Conference; Louisville, Kentucky. 5-9 November. | November 2023 |
| Boland, K.C., A.J. Lawson, M.J. Desmond. 2023. Comparing detection methods to quantify mass avian mortality on the White Sands Missile Range. New Mexico Ornithological Society; Carlsbad, New Mexico. 29-30 April. | April 2023 |