An artistic research initiative named Plant Futures explores the potential evolution of a specific flower species in response to climate change from 2023 to 2100. The project generates a unique flower design for each year within that timeframe, utilizing data related to climate projections and their effects on visual attributes of flowers.
During an artist residency in Helsinki, the project’s creator collaborated with biologist Aku Korhonen to assess the impact of climate change on local ecosystems, specifically focusing on the plant Circaea alpina. This flower has become more prevalent in the region as temperatures have increased, although its habitat is fragile, requiring shade and moisture, which are diminishing due to various environmental pressures. The researcher contemplated how Circaea alpina could adapt to survive amid these changing conditions.
The exploration included reviewing historical samples from the Luomus Botanical Collections, dating back to 1906, to investigate how flower characteristics have changed in relation to historical climate data. The research aimed to understand how this species might evolve given predicted shifts in temperature and precipitation.
The future flower designs were developed using data-driven methods and artistic interpretation. Researchers, including data artist Marcin Ignac, modeled how the flower’s morphology could alter over time based on climate scenarios. Notable changes included shifts in petal color toward red due to increased anthocyanins, alterations in size and vein density, and the development of additional petal layers as climate uncertainty grows.
In summary, Plant Futures examines how a single flower species could adapt over nearly eight decades of climate change, raising questions about the resilience of flora amid ongoing environmental challenges.
Source: https://www.technologyreview.com/2025/10/20/1125345/plant-future-climate-change-research-project/