He explores the water management of plants [06.12.24]
Roots are his particular passion: Jun.-Prof. Dr. Martin Bouda investigates plant networks. His main focus is the subject of water. In addition to living plants, he also works with digital models and even fossil plants.
With his research, he also wants to help tackle climate change with improved prediction models and the breeding of drought-resistant plants. Jun.-Prof. Dr. Bouda has headed the department of Functional Plant Ecophysiology at the University of Hohenheim since March 2024.
-
Mr. Bouda, your department is called ”Dept. of Functional Plant Ecophysiology”. What is that?
Ecophysiology studies how plants interact with the environment, examining the physical processes that sustain life. In my work, I mainly investigate how plants manage water, both internally and in their environment. Ecophysiology encompasses more than just water relations; it also includes energy and material exchanges. For example, plants absorb light and CO2 to produce sugars, losing water in the process, which is a constant balancing act.
What fascinates you about this topic?
I've always been intrigued by how water moves through the environment. It becomes a central topic wherever or whenever water becomes scarce. Plants, in particular, captivated me because they're such a mysterious part of the water cycle. We can measure how water flows in a river or falls as rain, but how plants move water is much more difficult to observe.
During my bachelor studies, I noticed most research focuses on the visible parts of plants, like leaves and stems, because they're easier to study. I was curious about the roots and their role in water uptake. When I asked my professor about it, he told me it was too difficult and not a viable career path. That challenge ultimately motivated me to pursue a PhD on the topic.
However, he proved to be right in the end. To reliably produce results and secure funding, I have had to extend my focus to cover the above-ground aspects of plant water use. Over time, though, it is getting easier to convince others that the belowground is important, as it increasingly becomes the big remaining unknown. So I can still make time to pursue my passion for the hidden mysteries of plant roots.
And you can do that in Hohenheim?
Alle neuen Profs... |
|---|
In Hohenheim, I found the perfect fit. The university was looking for someone who can integrate plant function across scales. This is part of its broader strategic goals, such as the Green Robust Initiative. A key focus of my work is to use network science to understand how the functions of different plant parts fit together, which closely aligns with this objective.
Network science?
Yes, plants exhibit network structures at various scales. For instance, tree canopies have a network of branches, roots form intricate networks underground, and even the vascular tissues that transport water and sugars within plants are networked.
By quantifying these network structures, I explore how individual parts relate to the whole system. This mathematical approach to describing networks is central to my research on roots and xylem tissue, the water-conducting tissue also known as wood.
Does it also work with a whole field of plants?
Yes, but it works best at smaller scales. For example, a single leaf has veins that form a network, and within those veins, there are networks of cells. This network concept applies directly across many scales up to a single plant. When you look at several plants together, you essentially see multiple parallel networks. We can use the network approach to show that as we add more plants, the math describing water flows does not get more complex, which means there is hope for solving it at the large scale.
Within a landscape context, we find further and larger networks. There are intriguing mathematical links, for instance, between how river networks integrate carbon flows across a landscape and some of the math we use for leaf vein networks or root structures. But applying these concepts at that scale is still a challenge we are working on.
So what research projects are you currently working on?
The first one involves studying the evolution of plants as networks by analyzing fossil images
and describing their structures in ways that haven't been done before. This is a significant project because it will change how we understand the last 400 million years of plant evolution in relation to managing water and resisting drought.
Another major project is my field research in the Czech Republic, where we're examining root system structures of beech and spruce trees. We're interested in how these structures help plants extract water from the soil as it dries out. This is crucial for improving large-scale models of land-atmosphere interactions. When vegetation becomes water-limited, it affects CO2 uptake, evaporation, and heat fluxes, impacting climate models. Our goal is to develop better predictions by integrating small-scale root-soil interactions into these models.
Fachgebiet Funktionelle Ökophysiologie der Pflanzen |
|---|
Jun.-Prof. Dr. Martin Bouda leitet das neu eingerichtete Fachgebiet seit dem 1.3.2024. Es handelt sich um eine Juniorprofessur mit Tenure-Track. Die Professur ist auf 6 Jahre befristet und wird bei Bewährung in eine reguläre Professur umgewandelt. mehr |
So beech and spruce are the species you use for your experiments?
In the field studies, yes. But on the computer, we can model any species imaginable. This is a powerful tool because it lets us create virtual plants that fulfill various criteria and even imagine ones that don't exist in nature. This helps us understand evolutionary processes and why certain plant models have or have not evolved.
Do you use the Phytotechnikum for experiments?
Yes, using the Phytotechnikum, we plan to subject plants to various forms of drought experimentally and observe the effects on plant structure and water transport. For instance, we can cut individual branches or roots off and connect them to pipes to measure how water moves through them. Such measurements let us determine the resistance within the plant's vascular system. Understanding the whole network of resistances then allows us to predict how water will flow through it in a given drought scenario.
Is there a practical application for your research?
Yes. When modern crops are bred for higher yields, their drought resistance is sometimes reduced. This could be because, in focusing on yield, we neglected aspects like the network structure of the xylem. If we understand this better, we can work to reclaim some of that lost drought resistance.
Can students participate in your research projects?
Absolutely. Various aspects of my research involve different skills or skill levels, which makes it quite accessible. Students can quickly learn simple image analysis techniques for counting cells before moving on to more challenging analyses. Similarly, data acquisition in the lab or field offers opportunities for students to engage in scientific research.
I plan to offer both bachelor'sand master's thesis projects based on lab experiments, fieldwork, or computational analyses appropriate to the degree programme.
What about Humboldt reloaded?
I've heard of it, but I'm not quite sure what it entails…
…it is an initiative for undergraduate students and focuses on hands-on science right from the start. Scientists lead small research projects, which often revolve around specific questions from their own work, and involve the students. Biologist Martin Blum launched the program, and it is very successful here in Hohenheim.
This decentralized approach, where for example PhD students take the lead, seems to work well. That's very much what's done in the Czech Republic, fostering collaboration and hands-on experience for undergraduates. That is definitely very interesting.
What does good teaching mean to you?
Good teaching must ignite curiosity and motivation to learn. The subject matter must be framed in a way that resonates with the interests and goals of the students. Whether based on specific research projects or real-life applications, the aim is to convey the relevance of the subject matter to the students.
In my subject, for example, I might discuss how climate change is affecting plant life and thus address students who are interested in agriculture or ecology. Ultimately, it's about making content understandable and inspiring students to delve deeper into the subject.
Another important aspect is teaching through hands-on experience. Whether it's in a lab setting or through computer simulations, a chance to actively engage with the material is invaluable for students. Personally, learning how to program and simulate plant processes was incredibly beneficial in my career. Fortunately, as hands-on computational methods become increasingly important in plant science practice, they are also increasingly accessible with new tools, so it becomes easier for students who may not be so confident in math to engage with this.
Do you have any advice for successful studying?
Be proactive and exchange ideas with other people. If you come across something interesting, don't hesitate to reach out and start conversations. Many people who are researching exciting things are very busy – so take the initiative yourself.
One last question, Mr. Bouda: What do you do in your free time?
Free time? That is a luxury, but I make sure to dedicate some moments to my family, especially my two children. We enjoy exploring the area together, such as visiting the Schwäbische Alb and exploring charming castles. Nature outings are particularly enjoyable with young children.
Thank you very much for the interview!
Interview: Elsner / Klebs
