Trace Martyn

Trace Martyn is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Animal and Rangeland Sciences at Oregon State University, affiliated with the Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center (EOARC) in Union, OR, and the Eastern Oregon Agriculture and Natural Resources Program (EOANRP) at Eastern Oregon University. His research focuses on rangeland ecology, restoration practices, and climate change impacts on dryland ecosystems.

• Education: PhD in Community Ecology (University of Queensland, 2020), MS in Botany (University of Wyoming, 2015), BS in Wildlife Biology (Colorado State University, 2008)

Martyn’s work addresses critical questions about plant community assembly, restoration success, and climate-adaptive practices. His lab employs diverse approaches, including experimental studies, ecological modeling, and field surveys. Key research areas include plant-plant interactions, seed ecology, and ecosystem resilience.

Recent publications highlight trends in sagebrush restoration, invasive species management, and plant community modeling. His work on rock structures and seedling establishment in arid ecosystems provides practical tools for restoration practitioners.

• Teaching: Courses include RNG 351 Ecology of Shrublands, RNG 353 Wildland Plant ID, and RNG 421/521 Rangeland Restoration and Management.

The Martyn Ecology Lab integrates plant community ecology, restoration ecology, and functional trait ecology to study rangeland resilience. Current projects span from Mount St. Helens vegetation monitoring to seed trait research, with future plans to revisit long-term sites in 2030.