Craig E. Hebert
Research Scientist – Multiple Stressors Other Position Adjunct Professor Department of biology Carleton University Education B.Sc. (Biology) – Queen's University M.Sc. (Toxicology) – University of Windsor Ph.D. (Zoology) – University of Toronto Phone: (613) 998-6693 Send a message to Craig Hebert  Mailing address

Professional Interests

My research examines the effects of multiple stressors (e.g., contaminants, exotic species, land use, resource exploitation) on ecosystems. Within this broad context, I am focusing on the development and use of wildlife indicators to assess the impacts of these stressors. For example, by studying Prairie-nesting waterfowl we are learning how agricultural practices may be affecting the quality of wildlife habitat. Research on fish-eating birds is providing insights into the structure of Great Lakes food webs and how human activities, such as exotic species introductions and overfishing, are affecting them. Other work is examining the factors that are important in regulating contaminant exposure, accumulation, and effects in wildlife. Biological, chemical, and physical data are all important in addressing these issues, and integration of such data is the name of the game in my work.

Current Research

• Development of wildlife-related indicators of ecosystem change/stress
• Stable isotopes in wildlife as indicators of ecosystem change and habitat use
• Biological (e.g., diet, migration behaviour, genetics), physical (e.g., weather), and chemical factors regulating contaminant levels and effects in wildlife

Selected Publications

• Hebert, C.E., and H.A. Morrison. 2003. Consumption of fish and other prey items by Lake Erie waterbirds. Journal of Great Lakes Research. 29(2):213-227. [Abstract]
• Hebert, C.E., J.L. Shutt, and R.O. Ball. 2002. Plasma amino acid concentrations as an indicator of protein availability to breeding herring gulls (Larus argentatus). Auk 119:185-200.
• Hebert, C.E., and W.G. Sprules. 2002. The relevance of seabird ecology to Great Lakes management. Journal of Great Lakes Research 28:91-103. [Abstract]
• Hebert, C.E., and L. Wassenaar. 2001. Stable-nitrogen isotopes in waterfowl feathers reflect agricultural land use in western Canada. Environmental Science and Technology 35:3482-3487. [PubMed Abstract]
• Hebert, C.E., K.A. Hobson, and J.L. Shutt. 2000. Changes in food web structure affect rate of PCB decline in herring gull (Larus argentatus) eggs. Environmental Science and Technology 34:1609-1614.
• Hebert, C.E., R.J. Norstrom, and D.V. Weseloh. 1999. A quarter century of environmental surveillance: the Canadian Wildlife Service's Great Lakes Herring Gull Monitoring Program. Environmental Reviews 7:147-166. [Abstract]
• Hebert, C.E., J.L. Shutt, K.A. Hobson, and D.V. Weseloh. 1999. Spatial and temporal differences in the diet of Great Lakes herring gulls (Larus argentatus): Evidence from stable isotope analysis. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 56:323-338. [Abstract]
• Hebert, C.E. 1998. Winter severity affects migration and contaminant accumulation in northern Great Lakes herring gulls. Ecological Applications 8:669-679.
• Hebert, C.E., and K.A. Keenleyside. 1995. To normalize or not to normalize? Fat is the question. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 14:801-807.
• Hebert, C.E., D.V. Weseloh, L. Kot, and V. Glooschenko. 1994. Organochlorine contaminants in a terrestrial foodweb on the Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada, 1987-89. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 26:356-366.
• Hebert, C.E., and G.D. Haffner. 1991. Habitat partitioning and contaminant exposure in cyprinids. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 48:261-266.

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