Personal profile
Research interests
- Flooding tolerance in crops and natural wetland plants
- Internal aeration during submergence
- Underwater photosynthesis and respiration
- Ecophysiology of isoetids (Lobelia, Littorella and Isoetes)
- Brownification of softwater lakes
- Seagrass ecology
- Plant-sediment interactions
- Gas and water transport in aquatic plants
Research
I conduct research on several aspects of experimental plant eco-physiology under controlled laboratory conditions as well as in the field. I work with submerged aquatic plants in freshwater systems as well as seagrasses and macroalgae inhabiting seawater or brackish waters. More recently, I have expanded my research interests to also include flood tolerance of terrestrial wetland plants or even dryland plants.
Much of my research is carried out in collaboration with international colleagues in Europe, Australia or Japan.
Current projects
The root barrier to radial oxygen loss. Independent Research Fund Denmark, AUD 900,000, 2019-2022
Climate-smart African rice. Danida, AUD 3,000,000, 2020-2025
Biography
I graduated in 1995 with a PhD degree from the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, within experimental plant eco-physiology. I am currently professor at the Department of Biology in Copenhagen where I am also Deputy Head of Department. I have been an adjunct at UWA since 2005 with more than 15 annual reserach visits and 45 joint publications. I am usually visiting during the months of October or November for 4 weeks each time.
External positions
Adjunct Associate Professor, Florida Atlantic University
1 Jan 2018 → 31 Dec 2022
Professor, University of Copenhagen
1 May 1995 → …
Research expertise keywords
- Flood tolerance
- Salinity tolerance
- Rice
- Wheat
- Barley
- Soil phytotoxins
- Root-soil interactions
- Seagrasses
- Seaweed
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities -
SDG 13 Climate Action
Fingerprint
- 1 Similar Profiles
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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High-density nodal diaphragms in stems slow down, but do not obstruct, longitudinal oxygen diffusion during partial submergence
Ayi, Q., Zhang, X., Pedersen, O., Van Bodegom, P. M., Xia, F., Wang, Q., He, B., Zeng, B. & Cornelissen, J. H. C., 12 Feb 2026, In: Journal of Experimental Botany. 77, 4, p. 1267-1278 12 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Stele tissues of chickpea roots show higher metabolic activity than the cortex, independent of external O2 supply
Jiménez, J. D. L. C., Kotula, L., Steiness, C., Käse, L., Song, Z., Pandey, C., Roitsch, T. G. & Pedersen, O., Feb 2026, In: New Phytologist. 249, 3, p. 1360-1372 13 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
1 Link opens in a new tab Citation (Web of Science) -
Anatomical and physiological responses of roots and rhizomes in Oryza longistaminata to soil water gradients
Song, Z., Lin, C., Pedersen, O. & Jimenez, J., 1 Oct 2025, In: Annals of Botany. 136, 5-6, p. 1251-1263 13 p., mcae131.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access9 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Web of Science) -
A novel approach for detecting molecular O2 at the subcellular level in plants
Pedersen, O., Sept 2025, In: New Phytologist. 247, 6, p. 2492-2494 3 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment/debate › peer-review
Open Access1 Link opens in a new tab Citation (Web of Science) -
Root morphology and anatomy respond similarly to drought and flooding in two wheat cultivars
Guhr, T., Song, Z., Andersen, A. G., de la Cruz Jiménez, J. & Pedersen, O., 1 Oct 2025, In: Annals of Botany. 136, 5-6, p. 1239-1250 12 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access5 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Web of Science)
Datasets
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Data from: Drivers of plant traits that allow survival in wetlands
Pan, Y. (Creator), Cieraad, E. (Creator), Clarkson, B. (Creator), Colmer, T. (Creator), Pedersen, O. (Creator), Visser, E. (Creator), Voesenek, L. A. C. J. (Creator) & van Bodegom, P. M. (Creator), DRYAD, 1 Jan 2020
DOI: 10.5061/dryad.7h44j0zqx, http://datadryad.org/stash/dataset/doi:10.5061/dryad.7h44j0zqx
Dataset
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The leaf economics spectrum revisited: global trait patterns in wetlands
Yingji, P. (Creator), Cieraad, E. (Creator), Armstrong, J. (Contributor), Armstrong, W. (Contributor), Clarkson, B. (Creator), Colmer, T. (Contributor), Pedersen, O. (Contributor), Visser, E. (Contributor), Voesenek, L. A. C. J. (Creator), Van Bodegom, P. (Creator) & Pan, Y. (Creator), DRYAD, 22 Jul 2020
DOI: 10.5061/dryad.v6wwpzgsq, http://datadryad.org/stash/dataset/doi:10.5061/dryad.v6wwpzgsq and one more link, https://zenodo.org/record/3964849 (show fewer)
Dataset
Projects
- 1 Finished
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Photosynthesis in Aquatic Roots: New Understanding of Root Aeration in Flooding-Tolerant Plants
Colmer, T. (Chief Investigator) & Pedersen, O. (Chief Investigator)
The University of Western Australia
1/01/07 → 31/12/07
Project: Research