Ancient Gene Variants Help Alpine Plant Adapt to Climate Change

The rapid pace of climate change poses significant challenges to many organisms, particularly in sensitive ecosystems like the Alps. A new study reveals that ancient gene variants in the wood pink, or Dianthus sylvestris, allow this perennial plant to adapt to its changing environment. Published on November 3, 2025, in the journal Science, the research highlights the genetic adaptations that enable the wood pink to manage its flowering time in response to temperature shifts.

In their investigation, researchers from ETH Zurich examined populations of wood pink in both valley regions and high-altitude areas of the Swiss canton of Valais. The study focused on how these plants have evolved to cope with differing climatic conditions. The findings show that flowering time varies significantly between these populations. Wood pinks at higher elevations flower immediately after snowmelt in June, while those in the valleys bloom as early as May, reflecting their adaptation to warmer temperatures.

Simone Fior and her colleagues, including plant geneticist Alex Widmer, conducted extensive genetic analyses on 1,000 individuals across the wood pink’s distribution. They also performed transplantation experiments to understand the flowering mechanisms better. Widmer explained, “Wood pinks in Alpine areas not only flower as early as possible, but they also produce seeds as quickly as possible, adapting to the short growing season at high altitudes.”

Despite these adaptations, the study revealed that valley plants do not fundamentally change their flowering behavior when moved to mountainous regions. Instead, they take longer to establish and produce flowers, which can jeopardize seed development before winter arrives. This characteristic is governed by a gene identified during the research, named DsCEN/2, which has two variants, or alleles. The “warm” allele is prevalent in valley populations, while the “cold” allele is found in Alpine wood pinks, influencing their flowering times and overall growth.

Research indicates that these alleles are ancient, predating the wood pink itself. By analyzing related species within the Dianthus genus, the team concluded that these gene variants originated from earlier species that underwent rapid diversification during climate fluctuations over the last one to two million years. These adaptations allowed the wood pink to thrive as conditions shifted between glacial and interglacial periods.

The implications of these findings extend to the future of the wood pink and its potential to respond to ongoing climate change. The presence of the “warm” allele in high-altitude populations suggests that as temperatures rise, this variant may become more dominant. Widmer noted, “The wood pink possesses tools from the past to adapt to climate change in the present.” However, he cautioned that the unprecedented speed of current warming raises questions about whether Alpine plants can adapt quickly enough to survive.

For the wood pink to effectively utilize its genetic potential for adaptation, populations must remain sufficiently large and interconnected. Isolated groups risk extinction as they may lack the genetic diversity necessary to adapt to rapid environmental changes. The study underscores the importance of understanding these genetic mechanisms as climate change continues to reshape ecosystems across the globe.

As researchers continue to explore the genetic foundations of climate adaptation, the wood pink stands out as a notable example of how ancient alleles can provide resilience in the face of modern challenges. The findings highlight the crucial role of genetic diversity in supporting species survival amid changing climates, offering insights applicable to other Alpine plants and ecosystems facing similar threats.