Wainger
Lab University of Maryland
Center for Environmental Science
Lisa Wainger, Ph.D
Research Professor
University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science 1 William Street P.O. Box 38 Solomons, MD 20688 wainger@umces.edu Phone: (410) 326-7401
Bio
Lisa
A.
Wainger has over 20 years of experience developing integrated
ecological and economic analysis tools that are used to communicate
changes in
ecological conditions in terms of socio-economic
impacts.
Dr.
Wainger is currently a Research
Professor at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental
Science. She received her PhD from the University of Maryland,
College
Park in
an interdisciplinary program in which she combined landscape ecology
and
environmental economics. For much of her work, she applies
innovative
spatial modeling techniques and develops indicator systems to conduct
risk
assessments for
federal,
state and regional government agencies, NGOs and private
businesses.
Recent
research has focused on spatial
variability in the cost-effectiveness of environmental
restoration. Decision-support tools she has developed
through the use of GIS-based spatial data analyzes, statistical models,
and
computer simulation models have been applied to 1) prioritize
restoration of
wildlands invaded with non-native invasive species, 2) evaluate the
comparability of credits in nutrient and wetland trading systems, and
3) evaluate
links between vulnerabilities of ecosystem services, threats to quality
of life
(e.g., unhealthful air quality), and risks to regional economies.
Research
Interests
Innovative approaches to environmental restoration targeting
Integrated ecological and economic evaluation of policy options
Ecosystem service trading mitigation & offsets
Mapping and valuation of ecosystem services
Invasive species risk assessment
Performance metrics for natural resource agencies
GIS and spatial data statistical modeling to support decision-making