Marja Bakermans
Email
mbakermans@wpi.edu
Office
Goddard Hall, 100 Institute RD
Research Highlight- Tracking Migratory Birds
Open Education Resources @ WPI
Current Challenges in Biodiversity and Conservation, Volume 1 is the third…
Affiliated Department or Office
Biology & Biotechnology
Environmental & Sustainability Studies
Education
PhD Ohio State University 2008
MS Ohio State University 2003
BS Bucknell University 1996

I possess a strong commitment to student education, and a goal of mine is to stimulate students' critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Recently, students and I have been on a journey to open classroom content and discussions in an interdisciplinary and inclusive way. Students are challenged to rethink their role as active knowledge producers beyond the class as students become co-authors of open educational resources. For example, students are co-authors of multiple texts, like Extinction Stories, Climate Lessons, and Current Challenges in Biodiversity and Conservation. More examples include educational resources like lesson plans on the restoration of red wolf populations (doi:10.25334/1X6V-F106, featured on QUBES) and soil science in your backyard (https://www.oercommons.org/courses/restoration-ecology-soil-science-in-your-backyard on OER Commons). 

The goal of my research program is to promote the conservation of biodiversity by maintaining viable wildlife populations across the landscape. Specifically, my research addresses the influence of anthropogenic disturbances, like forest management, urbanization, and agriculture, on wildlife. My goal is to open students' eyes to the interconnected world of science by using my research as an example of how to assimilate science and the role of conservation in today's world. Ultimately, I aim to provide an inclusive and enjoyable environment that fosters the learning process for students and allows us all to be lifelong learners.

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities - Reduce inequality within and among countries

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SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities - Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

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SDG 13: Climate Action

SDG 13: Climate Action - Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

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SDG 14: Life Below Water

SDG 14: Life Below Water - Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

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SDG 15: Life on Land

SDG 15: Life on Land - Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss

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Research Interests
Wildlife
Ecology
Conservation Biology
Forest Management
Environmental Science
Ornithology

Scholarly Work

Bakermans, M.H., C.L. Ziegler, J.L. Larkin. 2015. American Woodcock and Golden-winged Warbler abundance and associated vegetation in managed habitats. Northeastern Naturalist 22:690-703.

Sheehan, J., P.B. Wood, D.A. Buehler, P.D. Keyser, J.L. Larkin, A.D. Rodewald, T.B. Wigley, T.J. Boves, G.A. George, M.H. Bakermans, T.A. Beachy, A. Evans, M.E. McDermott, F.L. Newell, K.A. Perkins, and M.B. White. 2014. Avian response to timber harvesting applied experimentally to manage Cerulean Warbler populations. Forest Ecology and Management 321: 5 - 18.

Bakermans, M.H., A.D. Rodewald, and A.C. Vitz. 2012. Influence of forest structure on density and nest success of mature forest birds in managed landscapes. Journal of Wildlife Management 76:1225-1234.

Bakermans, M.H., A.D. Rodewald, A.C. Vitz, and C. Rengifo. 2012. Migratory bird use of shade coffee: the role of structural and floristic features. Agroforestry Systems 85:85-94.

Bakermans, M. H., A. C. Vitz, A. D. Rodewald, & C. Rengifo. 2009. Migratory songbird use of shade coffee in the Venezuelan Andes with implications for conservation of cerulean warbler. Biological Conservation 142:2476-2483.

Bakermans, M. H. & A. D. Rodewald. 2009. Think globally, manage locally: The importance of steady-state forest conditions for a declining songbird. Forest Ecology and Management 258:224-232.

Professional Affiliations
Ecological Society of America
American Ornithological Society
Society for Conservation Biology
Wilson Ornithological Society
Professional Highlights & Honors
, 2016
Ecological Society of America

News

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Media Coverage

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Vineyard Gazette
Tracking Rare Whippoorwills on the Island

The Vineyard Gazette included WPI wildlife research in its article. “Marja Bakermans, a researcher at WPI who focuses on migratory songbirds, began a study last year where she outfitted whippoorwills with geolocator backpacks to track the exact spots where the birds winter,” the Gazette reported.