Genetic population structure and dispersal of two North American woodpeckers in ephemeral habitats

Disturbance-dependent species regularly colonize ephemeral habitat patches. In this research, I used patterns of genetic variation to estimate the dispersal dynamics of black-backed woodpeckers (Picoides arcticus), a fire specialist, and compared these patterns to hairy woodpeckers (Picoides villosus), a generalist. I then examined how frequent colonization of ephemeral habitat patches versus stable migration among static habitat patches shapes the genetic structure of species. I examined patterns of genetic variation in mtDNA and microsatellites in both black-backed and hairy woodpeckers to determine large-scale spatial structure. Black-backed woodpeckers have high genetic connectivity across the boreal forest and lower genetic connectivity among sites separated by large gaps in forested habitat. Across the boreal forest, hairy woodpeckers have low genetic differentiation in mtDNA that lacks spatial structure, but moderate genetic differentiation in an isolation by distance pattern in microsatellite data. These results suggest that large gaps in forest act as a movement barrier to black-backed woodpeckers; movement patterns of hairy woodpeckers are primarily driven by geographic distance as opposed to landscape composition. Once I understood the primary mechanisms driving large-scale patterns, I determined the fine-scale spatial structure in both species. Black-backed woodpeckers apparently disperse twice as far as hairy woodpeckers based on patterns of fine-scale geneticstructure. Female black-backed woodpeckers have limited dispersal, with long-distance dispersal being male-biased. A weak pattern of female-biased dispersal was observed in hairy woodpeckers. I used simulations to evaluate how effective population size and dispersal distance interact with two models of dispersal, frequent colonization of ephemeral patches and stable migration, to shape large-scale genetic structure. Frequent colonization of ephemeral habitats resulted in lower spatial structure and higher genetic differentiation among patches in comparison to stable migration. Low genetic differentiation with little spatial structure occurred at an intermediate dispersal distance in the frequent colonization model, the pattern observed in black-backed woodpeckers. Stable migration with short dispersal distance results in isolation by distance, the pattern observed in hairy woodpeckers. Disturbance-dependent species have evolved with a natural mosaic of shifting habitat patches. As anthropogenic disturbance increasingly changes this mosaic, ecologists need to consider how this shift may affect connectivity for disturbance-dependent species

Where are reproductive rights in the WPS Agenda?

Claire Pierson and Jennifer Thomson introduce their LSE WPS Working Paper ‘Abortion and Reproductive Rights in the Women, Peace and Security Agenda’

Gender and power-sharing – why a citizens’ assembly is needed in Northern Ireland

The prospects for Northern Ireland’s power-sharing democracy look bleak. A Citizens’ Assembly is planned for members of the public to deliberate on the disputed topics. Claire Pierson and Jennifer Thomson argue that these forms of public participation have a particular benefit for the representation of women, and has the potential to break down entrenched party political divides

Critical Incidents and Librarian Professional Identity in LIS Pedagogy: Research Methodology as Pedagogical Tool Embedded in Reflexive Practice

Traditional conceptualisations of the library profession have been challenged due to persistent societal change, similarly affecting professional education. Challenges resulting from such change can be understood as uncertainty of definition and fit in society, and thus a questioning of professional identity. Examinations of professional identity offers potential in practice when introduced in the educational context. This paper outlines a pedagogical tool adapted from a method used in research investigating public librarian professional identity in New Zealand. The tool leverages the elicitation of critical incidents, along with guided questions, to prompt examination of professional identity. The tool is embedded within reflexive practice, creating a framework to understand and engage within increasingly interconnected and changing contexts

Understanding Occupational and Skill Demand in New Jersey's Construction Industry

The construction industry is integral to New Jersey's economy, employing over 160,000 people. Nationally and in New Jersey, the construction industry is thriving, injecting billions of dollars into the state. Jobs in the industry are changing with an influx of new technology and new building materials, requiring that workers have more technical expertise than in the past. This report summarizes the skill, knowledge, and educational requirements of key construction occupations and identifies strategies for meeting the key workforce challenges facing the industry

Understanding Occupational and Skill Demand in New Jersey's Health Care Industry

The health care industry in New Jersey employs almost 350,000 people. However, state, national, and international shortages of nurses is raising widespread concern in the industry. Jobs in the industry are changing in response to pressures to control costs and the demands of an increasingly consolidated industry. This report summarizes the skill, knowledge, and educational requirements of key health care occupations and identifies strategies for meeting the workforce challenges facing the industry

Understanding Occupational and Skill Demand in New Jersey's Finance Industry

The finance industry in New Jersey employs over 200,000 people. Many more workers benefit from the state's proximity to the finance industry in New York City. Jobs in the industry are evolving rapidly in response to national and global trends, such as deregulation, increasingly complex laws, and new technologies. As jobs change, skill requirements for both entry-level and incumbent workers increase. This report summarizes the skill, knowledge, and educational requirements of key finance occupations and identifies strategies for meeting the workforce challenges facing the industry

Ready for Tomorrow: Demand-Side Emerging Skills for the 21st Century

As part of the Ready for the Job demand-side skill assessment, the Heldrich Center explored emerging work skills that will affect New Jersey's workforce in the next three to five years. The Heldrich Center identified five specific areas likely to generate new skill demands: biotechnology, security, e-learning, e-commerce, and food/agribusiness. This report explores the study's findings and offers recommendations for improving education and training in New Jersey

Understanding Occupational and Skill Demand in New Jersey's Utilities Industry

The utilities industry provides essential electricity, gas, water and sewer, and local telephone services to residents and businesses throughout New Jersey. This report summarizes the skill, knowledge, and educational requirements of key occupations in gas, electric, water and sewer, and telephone services. It also identifies strategies for meeting the workforce challenges facing the industry

Building Skills and Alliances to Meet Demand in New Jersey's Labor Market

This summary report examines the Ready for the Job initiatve, which profiled the skill and occupational requirements of 73 occupations in New Jersey. This report highlights four cross-industry demand skills: math and technology skills, problem solving and critical skills, communication and teamwork skills, and entrepreneurship and business skills