The root of our ecosystems – Dr Alex Bowles sheds light on how ancient evolution is vital in the ever-changing 21st century

Dr Alex Bowles’s work centres on the intricate and transformative relationship between plants and water over the course of hundreds of millions of years. A Glasstone Fellow, Alex is uncovering the mysteries of plants, from their origins in deep history through to evolution’s consequences now and in the future.

Alex’s academic path was set during an internship at the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, seeing the diversity of plant life in their living and herbarium collections: “Thinking of plants from an evolutionary perspective was fascinating, as it made me consider the processes that have shaped life on Earth – a journey spanning hundreds of millions of years.”

Through his internship, Alex contributed to efforts to map the evolutionary relationships of flowering plants – similarly fundamental as a periodic table in chemistry – and he went on to research major transitions in the plant tree of life: “This experience made me realise that the job of a scientist is essentially solving puzzles – using critical thinking, appropriate data, and analysis to reveal an untold story. When you’re studying the evolutionary biology of plants, the process of thinking about deep time readily shapes your experience of the present.”

The constant process of learning, problem-solving, and discovery motivates Alex: “There is always something new to uncover – whether it's an unexpected plant adaptation or a breakthrough technology that deepens our understanding. The ever-evolving nature of plant science ensures that no two days are alike, and you are always eager to see what comes next.”

Alex’s research focus now lies in the connection between plants and water – a relationship which has changed dramatically over the last 500 million years: “The first land plants had a very limited ability to regulate water, but their descendants have adapted to live in the driest environments on Earth. From saguaro cacti to Antarctic grasses, baobab trees to desert mosses, I’ve found the ingenious ways plants thrive in extreme environments completely fascinating.”

How to access water without being submerged was a critical challenge for the first land plants, and it’s a central question in Alex’s research. “The transport of water is a crucial adaptation that enables plants to thrive on land,” he explains. “Water availability is also one of the most limiting factors to plant growth, with important implications for crop production and food security”.

Digging into Earth’s deep history, one discovery that Alex considers particularly interesting was establishing the appearance of multicellular plants during the Cryogenian (720–635 million years ago). He reflected: “This period in Earth’s history is marked by a global glaciation event, known as ‘Snowball Earth’. It was a time of water limitation that might have driven the evolution of complex plant life. This also opens new avenues for exploring how life responds to global-scale environmental changes.”

Alex's research has previously taken him to Switzerland, to study glacier algae.

As climate change alters rainfall patterns, temperature extremes, and the frequency of pests and diseases, crop plants and their wild counterparts will face new environmental pressures. Alex explains, “Wild relatives often harbour genetic diversity that can provide important traits, such as drought tolerance or disease resistance; integrating that diversity into crop breeding programs could be essential for ensuring food security.” As climate zones shift, many plant species will be forced to migrate or adapt – but not all species will have the genetic capacity to do so: “Plants are the bedrock of most major ecosystems; by understanding the limits of flexibility, we can better safeguard biodiversity.”

So, what excites Alex most about his work? “I consider myself lucky to have found a job that is a real passion. I really enjoy the process, from reading, to planning and conducting experiments, to writing and publishing the results. Discussing science with so many interesting and interested colleagues is a real privilege. The collaborative nature of research, especially with experts from different fields, continually sparks new ideas and allows me to approach plants with fresh eyes.”

Alex’s passion spills over into promoting the world of plants to students and the public, and he describes sharing the “fascinating stories” of plants and their unique adaptations as “a constant source of inspiration and creativity”. He adds: “It’s incredibly rewarding to spark curiosity and help others see the beauty and complexity of the plant world.”

Ultimately, understanding the plants themselves is a motivation: “From algal adaptations to glaciers, to the evolution of the plant kingdom, to the novel genes that aided the first move to land, plants never fail to amaze me. By understanding these plants of the past, we can begin to contextualise plants in the present and extrapolate to the future. The potential for new discoveries, particularly in areas addressing global challenges like climate change, conservation, and food security makes this work incredibly rewarding.”