Biology Department
Distinguished Professor of Science Emeritus, Biology
Ph.D., University of Illinois
Fields: Ecology, Evolutionary Biology of Higher Plants
Contact Information
Email: rbertin@holycross.edu
Biography/Research
My recent research examines the flora of southern New England and how that flora has changed over time in relation to changing climate, introduction of non-native species, and changes in land use.
My work has included detailed, collaborative studies of two Massachusetts counties: Worcester and Franklin. This work has produced a large number of new county records and several new state records, along with rediscoveries of several species thought to have been extirpated in the state. These studies have also revealed dramatic changes in the flora over time, including large increases in the frequency of nonnative species, consistent declines of species in certain plant families, and other changes related to changing patterns of land use. By using a combination of field observations and herbarium specimens, we have shown that blooming times of plants have shifted to earlier dates in response to recent increases in spring temperatures.
Another pattern that has emerged is a decline in those species near the southern edge of their geographic ranges in southern New England. This pattern is accompanied by increases in winter and spring temperatures, and is presumably the result of recent climate change. Southern species do not appear to be similarly expanding northwards, perhaps reflecting the limited dispersal ability of many species.
My most recent research includes surveys of the floras of the Wachusett Mountain area in central Massachusetts and the Mount Toby Range in western Massachusetts. Additionally, my colleagues and I are working to document patterns of change in orchid populations in southern New England and factors that might be related to the observed changes.
Courses
- Introduction to Biology 2
- General Ecology
- Biostatistics
- Field Botany
- Topics in Biology: Environmental Biology
Selected Publications
Bertin, R. I., K. B. Searcy, G. Motzkin, and M. G. Hickler. 2023. Patterns and changes in the nonnative flora of Franklin County, Massachusetts. Rhodora 124: 375-412.
Bertin, R. I. and C. G. Spind. 2022. Are rare northern plant species retreating from the southern edge of their ranges in southern New England? Northeastern Naturalist 29: 393-414.
Bertin, R. I., K. B. Searcy, G. Motzkin, M. G. Hickler, and P. P. Grima. 2021. Two centuries of change in the native flora of Franklin County, Massachusetts, U.S.A. Rhodora 123: 149-220.
Bertin, R. I., M. G. Hickler, K. B. Searcy, G. Motzkin, and P. P. Grima. 2020. Vascular Flora of Franklin County, Massachusetts. Special Publication of the New England Botanical Club, Cambridge, MA. 390 pp.
Bertin, R. I., K. B. Searcy, M. G. Hickler, and G. Motzkin. 2017. Climate change and flowering phenology in Franklin County, Massachusetts. Journal of the Torrey Botanical Society 144: 153-169.
Gardner, T. J., C. R. Eagan, and R. I. Bertin. 2017. Forest bird populations in Massachusetts: breeding habitat loss and other influences. Northeastern Naturalist 24: 267-288.
Zanne, A. E., D. C. Tank, W. K. Cornwell, J. M. Eastman, S. A. Smith, R. G. FitzJohn, D. J. McGlinn, B. C. O’Meara, A. T. Moles, P. B. Reich, D. L. Royer, D. E. Soltis, P. F. Stevens, M. Westoby, I. J. Wright, L. Aarssen, R. I. Bertin, A. Calaminus, R. Govaerts, F. Hemmings, M. R. Leishman, J. Oleksyn, P. S. Soltis, N. G. Swenson, L. Warman, and J. M. Beaulieu. 2014. Three keys to the radiation of angiosperms into freezing environments. Nature 506: 89-92.
Bertin, R. I. and C. M. Parise. 2014. Patterns and changes in the non-native flora of Worcester County, Massachusetts. American Midland Naturalist 172: 37-60.
Bertin, R. I. 2013. Changes in the native flora of Worcester County, Massachusetts. Journal of the Torrey Botanical Society 140: 414-452.
Bertin, R. I. and T. J. Rawinski. 2012. Vascular flora of Worcester County Massachusetts. Special Publication of the New England Botanical Club, Cambridge, MA. 289 pp.
Bertin, R. I., D. B. Connors and H. M. Kleinman. 2010. Differential herbivory on disk and ray flowers of gynomonoecious asters and goldenrods (Asteraceae). Biological Journal of the Linnaean Society 101: 544-552. GET PDF
Bertin, R. I. 2008. Plant phenology and distribution in relation to recent climate change. Journal of the Torrey Botanical Society 135: 126-146.
Bertin, R. I. 2007. Sex allocation in Carex (Cyperaceae): effects of light, water and nutrients. Canadian Journal of Botany 85: 377-384.
Bertin, R. I., B. G. DeGasperis and J. M. Sabloff. 2006. Land use and forest history in an urban sanctuary in central Massachusetts. Rhodora 108: 119-141.
Bertin, R. I., M. E. Manner, B. F. Larrow, T. W. Cantwell and E. M. Berstene. 2005. Norway maple (Acer platanoides) and other non-native trees in urban woodlands of central Massachusetts. Journal of the Torrey Botanical Society, 132: 225-235
Routley, M. B., R. I. Bertin and B. C. Husband. 2004. Correlated evolution of dichogamy and self-incompatibility: a phylogenetic perspective. International Journal of Plant Science 165: 983-993.
Bertin, R. I. 2002. Losses of native plant species from Worcester, Massachusetts. Rhodora 104: 325-349.
Bertin, R.I. and G. M. Gwisc. 2002. Floral sex ratios and gynomonoecy in Solidago (Asteraceae). Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 77: 413-422. GET PDF
Bertin, R. I., K. B. Searcy and P. Somers. 2002. A new native plant for Massachusetts, Carex backii (Cyperaceae). Rhodora 104: 201-204.
Bertin, R. I. 2001. Life cycle, demography, and reproductive biology of herb Robert (Geranium robertianum). Rhodora 103: 96-116.
Bertin, R. I. 2000. Vascular Flora of Worcester, Massachusetts. Special Publication of the New England Botanical Club, Cambridge, MA. 155 pp.
Bertin, R. I. and M. A. Kerwin. 1998. Floral sex ratios and gynomonoecy in Aster (Asteraceae). American Journal of Botany 85: 235-244.
Sage, T. L., R. I. Bertin, and E. G. Williams. 1994. Ovarian and other late-acting self-incompatibility systems. In E.G. Williams, A.E. Clarke, R. B. Knox (eds.) Genetic control of self-incompatibility and reproductive development in flowering plants. Pgs. 116-140. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht.
Bertin, R. I. and C. M. Newman. 1993. Dichogamy in angiosperms. Botanical Review 59: 112-152.
Bertin, R. I. 1993. Incidence of monoecy and dichogamy in relation to self-fertilization in angiosperms. American Journal of Botany 80: 537-560.
Bertin, R. I., and O. D. V. Sholes. 1993. Weather, pollination and the phenology of Geranium maculatum. American Midland Naturalist 129: 52-66.
Bertin, R. I., and P. J. Peters. 1992. Paternal effects on offspring quality in Campsis radicans. American Naturalist 140: 166-178. GET PDF