Massatti, R., Doherty, K.D. and Wood, T.E. (2018), Resolving neutral and deterministic contributions to genomic structure in Syntrichia ruralis (Bryophyta, Pottiaceae) informs propagule sourcing for dryland restoration. Conservation Genetics, 19: 85.
Rob Massatti, Ph.D.
I am interested in how species and their genetic variation are distributed across western North America, and I investigate the historical and contemporary factors influencing these patterns using genetic, environmental, and distributional data. This research framework allows me to place findings in the context of restoration and native plant materials development.
Biography
Education
2015 Ph.D., Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
- Dissertation: Spatial and temporal factors influencing the distribution and diversification of the montane flora
2007 M.S., Botany, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY
- Thesis: A Floristic Inventory of the East Slope of the Wind River Mountain Range and Vicinity, Wyoming
2002 B.S., Zoology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
Research Experience
2018 - Present: Research Ecologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Southwest Biological Science Center, Flagstaff, AZ
2016 - 2018: Ecologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Southwest Biological Science Center, Flagstaff, AZ
2015 - 2016: Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
2008 - 2010: Assistant Director, Conservation Research Program, Institute for Applied Ecology, Corvallis, OR
Science and Products
Date published: June 23, 2020
Status: Active Genomic Research Supporting Western Conservation
In the western United States (U.S.), there are many regionally restricted, rare species resulting from complex demographic and ecological processes through time. In addition to the inherent risks associated with being rare (i.e., having few individuals spread over a limited area that could be disproportionately affected by chance events), anthropogenic disturbances are increasing in magnitude...
Attribution: Ecosystems, Southwest Biological Science Center
Date published: May 28, 2020
Status: Active Genetics for Western Restoration and Conservation (GWRC)
Research using genetic principles, methods, and data provides critical information for restoration and conservation science. Genetic research may rely only upon genomic sequencing techniques, which generate abundant, genome-wide DNA sequences that can provide a glimpse into a species’ evolutionary history and adaptations. Genetic research may also look at an organism’s physical traits to...
Attribution: Ecosystems, Southwest Biological Science Center
Date published: September 27, 2019
Status: Active Informing Seed Transfer Guidelines and Native Plant Materials Development: Research Supporting Restoration Across the Colorado Plateau and Beyond
As restoration needs for natural landscapes grow due to higher frequency and/or intensity disturbances, pressure from invasive species, and impacts resulting from changing climates, considerable time and resources are being invested to guide the development and deployment of native plant materials (NPMs). Across lower elevations of the Colorado Plateau, a region composed primarily of public...
Attribution: Ecosystems, Southwest Biological Science Center
Date published: April 15, 2020
Population genetic and climatic variability data across western North America, 1915-2015
Environmental Analysis Data: These data were compiled to investigate the complex interactions between environmental gradients and geographic distance across the Intermountain West of the western United States. Due to complex topography, physiographic heterogeneity, and complicated relationships with large bodies of water, spatial autocorrelation of environmental similarity may be expected
Attribution: Southwest Biological Science Center
Date published: January 10, 2020
Hilaria jamesii data for the Colorado Plateau of the southwestern United States
These data were compiled to investigate the demographic, phylogeographic, and adaptation history of Hilaria jamesii. The data release consists of three tab delimited text files that may be used to infer population structure or putative adaptive loci (hija_adaptation_dataset.stru), relationships among sampling localities (hija_phylogeny_dataset.phylip), or genetic diversity statist
Attribution: Southwest Biological Science Center
Date published: October 1, 2019
Genetically informed seed transfer zones for Pleuraphis jamesii, Sphaeralcea parvifolia, and Sporobolus cryptandrus across the Colorado Plateau and adjacent regions
These data were compiled to provide seed transfer and native plant materials development guidance to managers and practitioners across the Colorado Plateau and in adjacent regions. This data release contains empirical seed transfer zones derived from molecular genetic data for Pleuraphis jamesii (syn. Hilaria jamesii), Sphaeralcea parvifolia, and Sporobolus cryptandrus. Pleuraphis james
Attribution: Southwest Biological Science Center
Date published: January 1, 2018
Genetic analyses of Astragalus sect. Humillimi data in the southwest USA
These data were compiled to support effective conservation for species within Astragalus sect. Humillimi. Two species, A. cremnophylax var. cremnophylax and A. humillimus are federally listed as endangered taxa. The data provided herein were used to resolve the relationaships among taxa, the population structure within taxa, and genetic diversity within taxa. The data are provided in a STRU...
Attribution: Southwest Biological Science Center
Year Published: 2021
Testing which axes of species differentiation underlie covariance of phylogeographic similarity among montane sedge species
Co‐distributed species may exhibit similar phylogeographic patterns due to shared environmental factors or discordant patterns attributed to the influence of species‐specific traits. Although either concordant or discordant patterns could occur due to chance, stark differences in key traits (e.g., dispersal ability) may readily explain differences...
Hodel, Richard G.J.; Massatti, Robert; Bishop, Sasha G.D.; Knowles, L. LaceyAttribution: Southwest Biological Science Center, Ecosystems
Year Published: 2020
Forward-looking dryland restoration in an age of change
Drought, wildfires, and invasive species are among the many challenges practitioners face in achieving restoration goals in drylands. In this article, we highlight relevant restoration research and programs that pursue actionable information and resource management goals for the Intermountain West. In the context of international restoration...
Winkler, Daniel E.; Massatti, Robert; Reed, SashaAttribution: Southwest Biological Science Center, Ecosystems
Year Published: 2020
Genetically-informed seed transfer zones for Cleome lutea and Machaeranthera canescens across the Colorado Plateau and adjacent regions
Genetically-based seed transfer zones are described herein for two priority restoration species on and adjacent to the Colorado Plateau (Massatti 2020). Species include Cleome lutea Hook. (Capparaceae; commonly called yellow spiderflower or yellow beeplant; synonym Peritoma lutea (Hook.) Raf.) and Machaeranthera canescens (Pursh) A. Gray (...
Massatti, RobertAttribution: Southwest Biological Science Center, Ecosystems
View Citation
Massatti, R., 2020, Genetically-informed seed transfer zones for Cleome lutea and Machaeranthera canescens across the Colorado Plateau and adjacent regions: Flagstaff, Ariz., Bureau of Land Management’s Colorado Plateau Native Plant Program, U.S. Geological Survey cooperator report, 9 p., https://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/files/docs/2020-12/genetic_STZs_CPNPP_2020.pdf.
Year Published: 2020
Unexpected hybridization reveals the utility of genetics in native plant restoration
Native plant materials (NPMs) are increasingly utilized during the restoration of disturbed plant communities. Here, we analyze next‐generation genetic sequencing data for Hilaria jamesii, a dominant graminoid across drylands of the southwestern United States, and document that the species' only commercially‐available NPM, ‘Viva’, is a hybrid...
Winkler, Daniel E.; Massatti, RobertAttribution: Southwest Biological Science Center, Ecosystems
Year Published: 2020
Assessment of population genetics and climatic variability can refine climate‐informed seed transfer guidelines
Restoration guidelines increasingly recognize the importance of genetic attributes in translocating native plant materials (NPMs). However, when species‐specific genetic information is unavailable, seed transfer guidelines use climate‐informed seed transfer zones (CSTZs) as an approximation. While CSTZs may improve how NPMs are developed and/or...
Massatti, Robert; Shriver, Robert K.; Winkler, Daniel E.; Richardson, Bryce A.; Bradford, JohnAttribution: Southwest Biological Science Center, Ecosystems
Year Published: 2020
The historical context of contemporary climatic adaptation: A case study in the climatically dynamic and environmentally complex southwestern United States
The process of adaptation can be highly dependent upon historical and contemporary factors, especially in environmentally and topographically complex regions affected by Pleistocene glaciations. Here, we investigate Hilaria jamesii (Poaceae), a dryland C4 graminoid, to test how patterns of adaptive genetic variation are linked to...
Massatti, Robert; Knowles, L. LaceyAttribution: Southwest Biological Science Center, Ecosystems
Year Published: 2020
Supporting the development and use of native plant materials for restoration on the Colorado Plateau (Fiscal Year 19 Report)
A primary focus of the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM’s) Colorado Plateau Native Plant Program (CPNPP) is to identify and develop appropriate native plant materials (NPMs) for current and future restoration projects. Multiple efforts have characterized the myriad challenges inherent in providing appropriate seed resources to enable effective,...
Massatti, Robert; Winkler, Daniel E.; Reed, Sasha; Duniway, Michael C.; Munson, Seth M.; Bradford, JohnAttribution: Southwest Biological Science Center, Ecosystems
Year Published: 2019
Genetically-informed seed transfer zones for Pleuraphis jamesii, Sphaeralcea parvifolia, and Sporobolus cryptandrus across the Colorado Plateau and adjacent regions
(Massatti) Introduction: The majority of native plant materials (NPMs) utilized for restoration purposes are developed for widely distributed species that provide a variety of ecosystem services (Wood et al. 2015; Butterfield et al. 2017). Disturbed ecosystems benefit from the use of appropriate NPMs, which are those that display ecological...
Massatti, RobertAttribution: Southwest Biological Science Center, Ecosystems
Year Published: 2019
Supporting the development and use of native plant materials for restoration on the Colorado Plateau (Fiscal Year 18 Report)
Introduction A primary focus of the Colorado Plateau Native Plant Program (CPNPP) is to identify and develop appropriate native plant materials (NPMs) for current and future restoration projects. Multiple efforts have characterized the myriad challenges inherent in providing appropriate seed resources to enable effective, widespread restoration...
Massatti, Robert; Winkler, Daniel; Reed, Sasha; Duniway, Michael; Munson, Seth; Bradford, JohnAttribution: Southwest Biological Science Center, Ecosystems
View Citation
Massatti, R.T., Winkler, D.E., Reed, S.C., Duniway, M.D., Munson, S.M., and Bradford, J.B., 2019, Supporting the development and use of native plant materials for restoration on the Colorado Plateau (Fiscal Year 18 Report): Fiscal Year 2018 Report deliverable to the Bureau of Land Management. Do not process through USGS Pubs Warehouse (product will be made available on the cooperator’s website at https://www.blm.gov/programs/natural-resources/native-plant-communities/native-plant-and-seed-material-development/ecoregional-programs).
Year Published: 2018
Genetic analyses of Astragalus sect. Humillimi (Fabaceae) resolve taxonomy and enable effective conservation
Premise of the StudyAstragalus sect. Humillimi is distributed across the southwestern United States and contains two endangered taxa, A. cremnophylax var. cremnophylax and A. humillimus. The former was originally described from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Analysis of individuals discovered on the...
Massatti, Robert; Belus, Matthew; Dowlatshahi, Shahed; Allan, Gerard J.View Citation
Massatti, R.T., Belus, M.T., Dowlatshahi, S., and Allan, G.J., 2018, Genetic analyses of Astragalus sect. Humillimi (Fabaceae) resolve taxonomy and enable effective conservation: American Journal of Botany, v. 105, no. 10, https://doi.org/10.1002/ajb2.1157.
Year Published: 2018
Population history provides foundational knowledge for utilizing and developing native plant restoration materials
A species’ population structure and history are critical pieces of information that can help guide the use of available native plant materials in restoration treatments and decide what new native plant materials should be developed to meet future restoration needs. In the western United States, Pseudoroegneria spicata (bluebunch...
Massatti, Robert; Prendeville, Holly R.; Larson, Steve; Richardson, Bryce A.; Waldron, Blair; Kilkenny, Francis F.View Citation
Massatti, R., Prendeville, H.R., Larson, S., Richardson, B.A., Waldron, B., and Kilkenny, F.F., 2018, Population history provides foundational knowledge for utilizing and developing native plant restoration materials: Evolutionary Applications, https://doi.org/10.1111/eva.12704.
Year Published: 2018
Beyond traditional ecological restoration on the Colorado Plateau
The Colorado Plateau is one of North America's five major deserts, encompassing 340,000 km2 of the western U.S., and offering many opportunities for restoration relevant to researchers and land managers in drylands around the globe. The Colorado Plateau is comprised of vast tracts of public land managed by local, state, and federal agencies...
Winkler, Daniel E.; Backer, Dana M.; Belnap, Jayne; Bradford, John B.; Butterfield, Bradley J.; Copeland, Stella M.; Duniway, Michael C.; Faist, Akasha M.; Fick, Stephen E.; Jensen, Scott L.; Kramer, Andrea T.; Mann, Rebecca; Massatti, Robert; McCormick, Molly L.; Munson, Seth M.; Olwell, Peggy; Parr, Steve D.; Pfennigwerth, Alix; Pilmanis, Adrienne M.; Richardson, Bryce A.; Samuel, Ella; See, Kathy; Young, Kristina E.; Reed, Sasha C.View Citation
Winkler, D.E., Backer, D.M., Belnap, J., Bradford, J.B., Butterfield, B.J., Copeland, S.M., Duniway, M.C., Faist, A.M., Fick, S.E., Jensen, S.L., Kramer, A.T., Mann, R., Massatti, R.T., McCormick, M.L., Munson, S.M., Olwell, P., Parr, S.D., Pfennigwerth, A.A., Pilmanis, A.M., Richardson, B.A., Samuel, E., See, K., Young, K.E., and Reed, S.C., 2018, Beyond traditional ecological restoration on the Colorado Plateau: Restoration Ecology, online, https://doi.org/10.1111/rec.12876.
Pre-USGS Publications
Knowles, L. L. and Massatti, R. (2017), Distributional shifts – not geographic isolation – as a probable driver of montane species divergence. Ecography, 40: 1475-1485.
Massatti, R. and Knowles, L. L. (2016), Contrasting support for alternative models of genomic variation based on microhabitat preference: species‐specific effects of climate change in alpine sedges. Molecular Ecology, 25: 3974-3986.
Knowles, L. L., Massatti, R. , He, Q. , Olson, L. E. and Lanier, H. C. (2016), Quantifying the similarity between genes and geography across Alaska's alpine small mammals. Journal of Biogeography, 43: 1464-1476.
Massatti, R. , Reznicek, A. A. and Knowles, L. L. (2016), Utilizing RADseq data for phylogenetic analysis of challenging taxonomic groups: A case study in Carex sect. Racemosae. American Journal of Botany, 103: 337-347.
Lanier, H. C., Massatti, R. , He, Q. , Olson, L. E. and Knowles, L. L. (2015), Colonization from divergent ancestors: glaciation signatures on contemporary patterns of genomic variation in Collared Pikas (Ochotona collaris). Molecular Ecology, 24: 3688-3705.
Massatti, R. and Knowles, L. L. (2014), Microhabitat differences impact phylogeographic concordance of codistributed species: genomic evidence in montane sedges (Carex L.) from the Rocky Mountains. Evolution, 68: 2833-2846.
Coop, J. D., Massatti, R. T. and Schoettle, A. W. (2010), Subalpine vegetation pattern three decades after stand‐replacing fire: effects of landscape context and topography on plant community composition, tree regeneration, and diversity. Journal of Vegetation Science, 21: 472- 487.
Date published: August 10, 2020
RAMPS Newsletter - Summer 2020 Edition
This season's edition of the Restoration Assessment and Monitoring Program for the Southwest Newsletter contains recent program highlights including research updates, new projects, field updates and more.
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Date published: June 11, 2020
Plant Genetics Informing Restoration in the West
Three recently published papers by the Southwest Biological Science Center illustrate how genetics can aid in plant restoration efforts in the arid American West. Collectively, the papers reveal genetic variation of a bunchgrass species used in restoration efforts, evidence for hybridization between two species of grass used in restoration, and a discussion of seed transfer zones
Attribution: Ecosystems, Southwest Biological Science Center