Between March 9 to March 31, 2024, Dietmar Quandt (University of Bonn), Julia Bechteler (University of Kaiserslautern-Landau, now LMU Munich), Eric Stein (University of Heidelberg) and Lara Iaboli (University of Bonn, now LMU Munich) were in the Atacama in Chile for joint fieldwork of subprojects B01 and B07.

The team checked and re-measured the Huidobria fruticosa individuals in the 2022 established coastal transect north of Paposo. It was great to see that most of the plants were in good shape and had grown in size and volume since the last year. A further transect for this plant species could be established for comparative analyses in the vicinity of San Pedro de Atacama, which is influenced by Andean environmental conditions.

Almost 160 Huidobria fruticosa individuals were genotyped and phenotyped along an almost 6 km long transect. The team also focused on the other CRC1211 wide study organism Tillandsia landbeckii. Tasks included the download and digital archiving of the climate data recorded over the last year (2023/2024) from the climate stations in the study fields close to Caldera and Arica. In the study site close to Iquique the team sampled plant material for growth experiments under controlled environmental conditions at the University of Heidelberg.

Furthermore, the team obtained drilling cores of three dunes formed by died off Tillandsia landbeckii individuals to better understand spatial and temporal distribution patterns of Tillandsia dune ecosystems. The cores will be analysed by an interdisciplinary team of geologists and botanists from the University of Cologne, University of Bonn and University of Heidelberg. The support by our local collaboration partners Alexandra Stoll (CEAZA La Serena) and Eduardo Campos (Universidad Católica del Norte Antofagasta) was again excellent and the team greatly acknowledges their contributions to this successful and inspiring research field campaign.

The team checking out potential sites for a Huidobria fruticosa transect in the Andean region close to San Pedro de Atacama Photo: Julia Bechteler

Flower of a Huidobria fruticosa Photo: Julia Bechteler

Huidobria fruticosa in the newly established transect close to San Pedro de Atacama Photo: Julia Bechteler

Eric and Lara sampling and measuring a Huidobria fruticosa Photo: Dietmar Quandt

A stunning rainbow after rain and thunderstorm in San Pedro de Atacama Photo: Eric Stein

Digging out a drilling core of a dead Tillandsia landbeckii dune Photo: Julia Bechteler

Drilling core done… Photo: Julia Bechteler

Tillandsia landbeckii field close to Iquique Photo: Julia Bechteler

Dietmar is downloading data from the climate station in the Caldera Tillandsia field Photo: Eric Stein

Eric is reading out one of the CRC-wide climate stations in the Tillandsia landbeckii field nearby Arica Photo: Lara Iaboli

In a collaborative effort between the Universidad de Chile (represented by Prof. Dr. Miguel Allende and his team from the Center of Genome Regulation) and the University of Cologne (the team of the CRC1211 project B08), the International Field School on Biodiversity Genomics at the Dry Limit brought together a diverse group of scientists, students, and local stakeholders in San Pedro de Atacama from the 24th to the 30th of September 2023. The aim was to train methods and exchange knowledge on the complexities of genomic diversity, particularly in extreme environments such as the Atacama Desert, and to foster collaboration between international researchers and local communities.

The main aspects of the field school were training and knowledge transfer. Therefore, 18 researchers from seven different institutions in Germany and Chile and 18 students from Germany, Chile, and Colombia participated to facilitate a productive exchange. The program included a comprehensive overview of the biodiversity genomics methodological process, covering sample collection, DNA isolation, library preparation, whole-genome sequencing and data analysis. Participating students, ranging from undergraduates to PhD students, gained hands-on experience through field trips, laboratory work, data analysis and gained insights into the genomic basis of adaptive traits across different taxa.

Recognizing the critical importance of building early awareness and understanding of biodiversity in the local community, the field school expanded its outreach to schools in San Pedro. Students from Licéo Lican Antay de San Pedro and the school of Taconao joined the field school for excursions and field work. For laboratory work, they provided their biology laboratory facilities at the San Pedro school, enabling a unique and valuable exchange between pupils, students, and scientists. This initiative not only benefited local students but also provided university students with experience in teaching and effective science communication.

The field school participants went on excursions with the indigenous community Lican Antay de Taconao to locations in the Atacama Desert that bear a traditional and spiritual importance to the community. These excursions allowed the group to understand indigenous traditions, spiritual values, and conservation activities. Representatives from CONAF (Corporación Nacional Forestal) also participated, highlighting the conservation efforts and regulations in the area. The interaction and dialogue between scientists, the indigenous community and CONAF led to a mutual understanding of each other's activities and fostered a common interest in preserving the unique ecosystem.

The International Field School on Biodiversity Genomics at the Dry Limit has established a strong foundation for future research in the Atacama Desert, that is transparent and beneficial to all stakeholders. This field school has set the stage for ongoing partnerships to access, share, and interpret FAIR data. The outcomes of this initiative promise a positive impact on biodiversity conservation, scientific understanding, and community engagement in the Atacama region.

Gallery 1: Teaching. Hands-on experience in laboratory work and interactive lectures for participants and local students. Places: Licéo Lican Antay de San Pedro and Hostel in San Pedro (lectures).

Gallery 2: Field trips and sampling. Trips to unique locations with participants and students from local school. Demonstration and hands-on practice of different sampling techniques. Exchange with representatives from CONAF and the indigenous community Lican Antay de Taconao.