Resilient plants for the future: Lessons learned from challenging environments
Research Theme Summary
Plants are essential for ecosystem balance, providing a multitude of services. Researchers have long studied their genetic, physiological, and morphological adaptations to climate change. Plants regulate photosynthesis and growth by sensing and adapting to their environments. However, drastic changes in water availability, and extreme temperatures reduce plant performance, growth, yield, and nutritional value.
Our RT is relevant because it addresses some of the most urgent and interconnected challenges of our time: climate change, biodiversity loss, sustainable food production, and the need for interdisciplinary knowledge to prepare future generations. Fostering work to deepen scientific understanding, new educational approaches, and strengthen global partnerships—particularly between Chile and Sweden—to meet emerging shared environmental challenges and learning from our experiences.
PIs
Luisa Bascuñán, Universidad de Concepción
Maria Eriksson, Umeå University
Participants
Henrik Aronsson, University of Gothenburg
Dimitra Valadorou, Uppsala University
Francisco Barco, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Alexander Vergara, Universidad de O´Higgins
Herman Silva, Universidad de Chile
Gabriel Epuyao, Universidad de La Frontera
Marcia González, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Enrique Ostria, Universidad de Concepción
Outcomes
As an outcome of the research project, we have established that achieving plant resilience requires an interdisciplinary approach that integrates plant biology, biodiversity, biotechnology, and engagement with local communities. Natural genetic diversity plays a central role in strengthening plant resilience, while biotechnology—when applied strategically—serves as a powerful tool to enhance adaptive capacity and should inform future policy development. The distinct environmental, climatic, and biodiversity conditions in Sweden and Chile provide unique opportunities to advance research and innovation in this field.
To build on these findings, several follow-up activities are planned. In the short term, joint Chile–Sweden publications will be developed to document the history of collaboration and outcomes from workshops. Looking ahead, longer-term initiatives include the design of an interdisciplinary course on plant resilience, the development of bioinformatics modules, and the expansion of student mobility programs. In addition, plans are underway to establish an international summer school to further strengthen collaboration, capacity building, and knowledge exchange in this area.