ABSTRACT. This presentation explores the vital role of plant biodiversity and ecosystem services in shaping sustainable, resilient, and livable cities. As urbanisation accelerates and natural habitats become increasingly fragmented, urban biodiversity is under mounting pressure from pollution, invasive species, climate change, and the widespread replacement of native vegetation with exotic ornamentals. The presentation highlights the urgent need for nature-positive urban planning approaches that prioritise native species, strengthen ecological connectivity, and actively engage local communities. Botanic gardens are positioned as strategic enablers of this transition. Through the integration of scientific research, living collections, environmental education, and partnerships with municipalities and civil society, they contribute to biodiversity-rich urban landscapes. Drawing on case studies from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (UK), and the Orto Botanico di Torino (Italy), this presentation showcases their contributions to native plant conservation, species reintroduction, habitat restoration, ecological monitoring, and public outreach. Also featured is the ORME network in Turin, a grassroots initiative that enhances urban biodiversity through community gardening, horticultural therapy, beekeeping, and education. These examples underscore the critical role of botanical gardens and their collaborative networks in advancing biodiversity-positive, climate-resilient urban futures.

ABSTRACT. The educational kit “Io abito, tu abiti, egli HABITAT: Discovery KIT" is a tool designed by the Lombardy Network of Botanic Gardens to actively engage the public of visitors and families in knowledge, protection, and enhancement of acidic continental grasslands and heathlands, i.e., the target habitats of the LIFE Drylands project in the project's beneficiary Parks. It is based on Interpretation (Heritage Interpretation), a methodological approach which involves the public using a variety of methods and tools according to the type of audience and context, to stimulate reflection and critical thinking, raise awareness, and convey the importance of the natural, historical, and cultural heritage to prompt visitors to take care of it in the long run. All the activities revolve around the concept of habitat, with a focus on interdisciplinary elements and the connection between Art and Science. The kit consists of various materials and tools that promote scientific investigation and multisensory outdoor experience, offering educational stimulation together with self-exploration to support especially the youngest audience. It is an excellent, simple, and fun multi-disciplinary learning opportunity that also encourages the relationship between adult and child in carrying out suggested activities or devising new ones. The educational objectives are: to disseminate the contents of the LIFE Drylands project, focused on the restoration of grasslands and heathlands, and the Natura 2000 Network; to stimulate scientific observation, creativity, and manual skills; to improve the capacity of the Parks to make the concept and value of conservation/restoration of the target habitats known and understood by a wider public. To realize the final model of the kit, it was considered important to collect the opinion of future users in a participatory design process. Based on the suggestions that were collected, some modifications were made to improve the performance of the materials and tools; thanks to this process we can now present the final model of the teaching kit. Soon, the kit will be adapted to apply it also in the Botanic gardens, with particular reference to the Botanic garden of Pavia. We will select plants hosted in the botanic garden, which are common in continental dry-acidic grasslands and heathlands, but with different meaning: the good, the ugly and the bad, useful to make people aware of the different composition of a habitat and the need to restore it.

ABSTRACT. The cooccurrence in the Mediterranean Basin of a hotspot of biodiversity and an extraordinary rich cultural heritage make the archaeological sites of the area cases of a unique intersection of cultural and natural heritage. This study, which was promoted within the Italian National Biodiversity Future Center project, was aimed to exploring the relationship between these sites and their botanical richness, examining how management and current legislative frameworks address this dual heritage. Our research team, that was later enlarged to more than 30 experts from 17 countries, reviewed published and unpublished data on wild flora in archaeological and monumental sites across the Mediterranean countries. We created a comprehensive database that revealed more than 3000 plant taxa (carefully checked for taxonomical and biogeographical characters) recorded within 69 sites, proving as these sites harbor not only historical artifacts but also remarkable plant biodiversity. The selection methodology ensured representation across different bioclimatic zones, land uses, and site sizes. Notable findings include unique examples of cultural monuments serving as habitats for endemic taxa (100ca were found), highlighting how architectural heritage creates distinctive ecological niches. However, our analysis of national and international legislation reveals significant gaps in integrated management approaches that recognize both the cultural and natural significance of these sites. Data of this research emphasizes the need for a transdisciplinary approach to heritage management where botanical and archaeological expertise converge. Archaeological sites can function as living museums of both human history and botanical diversity, offering unique opportunities for eco-tourism, education, and public engagement. Reconceptualizing these spaces as integrated cultural-natural landscapes rather than isolated monuments is key to developing more holistic management strategies that preserve and value both dimensions of Mediterranean heritage. Finally, we highlight the need for an integrated botanical approach to the planning and management of archaeological sites, following a philosophy that incorporates ecological, historical, and conservation parameters, aiming to protect the existing natural and historical features while managing and introducing plant elements coherent with the original landscape.

ABSTRACT. Botanical gardens serve as important centers for education and offer elementary school students as well as others various programs that combine natural and cultural heritage with ethnobotany. These programs focus on experiential learning, direct observation of plants and exploration of their historical and contemporary significance. Through guided tours of the garden and archeological trail, interactive group work and workshops, students gain a deeper understanding of the fundamental relationship between humans and plants throughout history. While the natural heritage programs focus on plant biodiversity, ecosystems and ecological conservation, the cultural heritage programs focus on traditional knowledge, customs and the historical use of plants. Guided experiences include learning about prehistoric plant diversity of the Štajerska region, agricultural techniques and plant varieties in production in different historical periods from the Stone Age to the Middle Ages. A highlight of the program is a journey through time, where students explore the life of people in the past. The archaeological trail takes them to prehistoric burial mounds, which provide an insight into ancient burial rituals, the use of plants in daily life and early human settlements. The guided tour includes a visit to Hompoš Castle, the seat of the Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, where students can experience more than a thousand years of history through the architecture of the building itself – from the Middle Ages to the present day. The programs end with practical workshops. The workshops include natural dyeing and the production of plant-based paper. To deepen their knowledge, students can visit the multimedia room where the permanent exhibition "How they lived..." can be seen. This exhibition provides a comprehensive picture of everyday historical life and shows how people used plants for medicine, clothing, food, tools and weapons, shelter and various rituals. Through these engaging educational programs, students develop a deep appreciation for the enduring connections between people and plants. The botanical garden becomes a living classroom where history, science and culture are interwoven, encouraging young learners to think critically about the past and its relevance to sustainable living today.

ABSTRACT. It is well known that the trade in tropical orchids of ornamental interest was the prerogative of the main colonial countries and that other Central European nations contributed significantly to the development of cultivation techniques. As far as the our territory is concerned, hitherto it was believed that greenhouse cultivation of orchids was the prerogative of a few gardens in northern Italy. However, consultation of a work published in 1909 by Vincenzo Ostinelli, for over 50 years working as gardener in chief in the service of the princes of Trabia and Butera in Palermo, revealed a reality that had long escaped garden historians. The first lists of orchids, drawn up in the first decades of the 19th century, reported very few species cultivated in the public gardens of Palermo. Most of them died within a few months and were not propagated again, probably due to inadequate knowledge about optimal care. Around the same time, however, cultivation techniques began to advance, recording the first successes, particularly in England. The correct identification of the species and their habitats of origin allowed to identify cultivation methods that were better adapted to the species’ place of origin, creating warm, temperate and cold greenhouses to meet the different needs of the plants introduced into cultivation. As a results, after the mid-19th century, there was a veritable explosion in the number of species introduced into European private gardens. As far as Sicily was concerned, there were several families of wealthy entrepreneurs (Ingham, Whitaker, Florio, Lanza, etc.) who spared no expense in building up their orchid collection, hiring foreign gardeners, having the best architects of the time build valuable greenhouses and purchasing material from horticultural companies all over Europe. Ostinelli provides a list of around 300 orchid species that have been proven to be cultivated not only in Palermo but also in other coastal sites in Sicily (Messina, Catania, Modica). For most of these species, whose identity and scientific name in current use has been verified, he provides an impressive amount of information (cultivation requirements, origin, date of introduction into Europe, distribution in the city of Palermo, remarkable specimens, etc.). Ostinelli’s work also made it possible to start research aimed at tracing the biographical profile of the (mostly foreign) gardeners and architects involved in the construction of the Sicilian greenhouses.

ABSTRACT. Plants are a vital element for Earth ecosystems and are the reason for Botanic Gardens to exist. Yet botanic garden professionals, especially those involved in public engagement, are continuously struggling to face plant blindness among the population. Despite using them in every part of their life citizens do not even consider them as living beings. How to facilitate a wider awareness of what is a plant and what is the value of the Vegetal Kingdom on our Planet? With this workshop we would like to share our experiences and reflections based on the activities and events carried out so far in the premises of Bergamo Botanical Garden, as well as in other locations where we are invited to propose activities. A Botanical Garden is a place of knowledge, with specific and fascinating collections, but our educational initiatives must reach the masses—including those who do not visit our locations—to convey the urgency of addressing sustainability issues and the challenges humanity is actually facing. To achieve this goal, we have experimented with different techniques and come to a conclusion: we believe that one possible solution is to foster a habit of looking at natural elements from a different perspective, shifting focus and offering alternative viewpoints. Through our proposals, we invite people to practice interpreting a complexity that is difficult to understand—not by simply narrating or explaining, but by providing tools for direct experiences, helping them understand what it means to shift their gaze and change the way they think about the world around them. We present these experiences to you, who are familiar with plants, because we believe that it is crucial to acknowledge that non-experts do not share our perspective. Therefore, we will offer a set of tools and experiences to help you observe plants from new angles—not only by looking, but also by engaging with them through other senses.

ABSTRACT. Living plant collections in botanic gardens consists, to a large extent, of plant taxa once collected from various biodiverse regions and spread within their network. Due to the fragmented analogue historic records that exist for global living plant collections, most research related to this topic has been focused on the species level. Little quantitative work has been done on the larger scope the global botanic garden network played in maintaining and spreading living collections through the centuries. Understanding these historical developments of collections on larger scale are essential in informing the future of management of global living collections, as well as the ongoing debate on the contribution of botanic gardens to colonial exploits and the spread of useful and invasive species.

We report on our ongoing research which is utilizing both seed and plant catalogue archives currently housed in the Netherlands, representing an extensive global sample of historic living collection records. By scanning catalogues and developing new tools for extracting taxa lists and other metadata on an extensive scale, a novel new chronological data source is being unearthed which provides new insight into global living botanical collections and its movements and changes over time.

In our presentation we will report on the methodology we have developed and our initial analysis of a chronological sample of more than 2000 seed catalogues between 1841 and 2020, where we were successful in extracting more than 1,6 million individual species entries, constituting just under 60 000 taxa, from well over 500 unique botanic gardens globally.

ABSTRACT. The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew holds a wide range of botanical collections, comprising more than 8 million objects accumulated over 250 years. Historically, these collections were catalogued in separate database systems. As a result, when a single field expedition generated several collection objects – such as a herbarium voucher, a seed accession, and a living plant – each was recorded independently, making their shared provenance hard to trace.

Since adopting a single unified database, Kew is rebuilding those connections. Objects from different collections can now be linked as “siblings” when they originate from the same occurrence, or through derivation links when one object is produced from another, such as a DNA extract taken from a herbarium voucher.

Making these relationships explicit enriches the scientific and curatorial value of the entire collection. Occurrence‑based links enable integrated searches, improve data completeness, and simplify workflows in taxonomy, conservation, and horticulture. The approach also enhances transparency and traceability while eliminating duplicate data entry, making the organisation more efficient and better able to pursue evolving research priorities.

Kew’s experience shows how digitisation coupled with shared infrastructure can reunite fragmented data and unlock new insights. The workflow is scalable and can guide other institutions seeking to modernise and integrate their collection management systems.

ABSTRACT. Accurate inventories of living collections are essential for effective plant management, research, and conservation. Yet for many institutions, particularly those with limited resources or mixed mandates, maintaining such inventories remains a persistent challenge. The "inventory gap"—the disparity between what is needed and what is feasible—can hinder both internal management and contributions to broader conservation efforts, such as those outlined in the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC).

This session examines how digital tools can help bridge this gap by enabling institutions to prioritize inventory efforts in a manner that is meaningful to their specific context. We will share the practical experience of Bioparco di Roma, a zoological garden where inventorying trees is driven by the need to monitor plant health and ensure visitor safety. While not a traditional botanical garden, Bioparco’s approach demonstrates how the tailored use of digital platforms, such as Hortis, can improve day-to-day management and support public engagement through a living plant database. Several thousand specimens have now been documented, geolocated, and made available online to the public.

Through this case and others, we will examine scalable strategies for implementing digital plant records, improve inventory processes, and discuss how to balance ambition with available capacity, and reflect on what more can be done to support gardens and green spaces of all types in improving their knowledge of the collections they steward.

ABSTRACT. There is growing recognition that ex situ conservation of plant diversity is best achieved in the context of a metacollection, a network of living collections (botanic gardens, seed banks) that work cooperatively to ensure the effective preservation of taxonomic and genetic diversity in a focal taxon. Given variation in the taxonomic composition of living collections, a survey of the latter is a logical starting point for the development of new metacollections. At Gothenburg Botanical Garden (GBG), a long history of taxonomic research on geophytic monocots has generated substantial collections of selected families, notably Asparagaceae, Colchicaceae, Iridaceae, and Liliaceae. Alongside these collections, the garden has developed extensive expertise in the collection, propagation, and ex situ maintenance of geophytes. Building on these collections and skills, GBG intends to initiate progress towards the establishment of a global metacollection of monocot geophytes, with an initial focus on scilloid Asparagaceae (= Hyacinthaceae). Towards this objective, and focusing on selected families of geophytic monocots, we analyze the composition of botanic garden living collections, assessing how effectively they capture total diversity and identifying taxonomic and geographic biases and gaps. To the extent permitted by the available data, we also quantify variation in the extent of threatened species coverage. Based on the results of these analyses, we discuss possible strategies for effective ex situ conservation in geophytic monocots.

ABSTRACT. In recent years, the Pharmaceutical Biology group of the Department of Environmental Biology at the Sapienza University of Rome together with the technical staff of the Botanical Garden of Rome, has initiated a close collaboration aimed at identifying more practical applications for the many plant species housed in the garden, beyond their traditional conservation and ornamental roles. The first project in this context has focused on Wollemia nobilis W.G. Jones, K.D. Hill & J.M. Allen. This coniferous tree, belonging to the Araucariaceae family, was believed to be extinct until its rediscovery in 1994 in Queensland, Australia. In support of conservation efforts and under an official propagation program, its seeds were subsequently planted in several Australian home gardens and distributed to selected botanical gardens worldwide, including the Botanical Garden of Rome, where they successfully grew into a magnificent specimen. W. nobilis was subjected to phytochemical analysis across its various organs to address a significant gap in scientific knowledge and to potentially identify pharmacologically active compounds. Prior to our investigations, no comprehensive biological studies had been carried out on this species, and earlier phytochemical research was highly limited, focusing mainly on leaves collected in Australia and targeting only specific compounds, such as essential oils and biflavonoids. We present our full body of work on the phytochemistry and pharmacology of W. nobilis cultivated in the Botanical Garden of Rome. Various organs from the same tree including leaves, male cones, male reproductive organs, half-mature female cones, and unripe female cones (some analyzed more than once) were studied. Numerous natural compounds were identified, primarily from the classes of biflavonoids, simple flavonoids, diterpenoids, and organic acids. Notably, several of these compounds had never before been detected in this species or, in some cases, in nature. Moreover, to date, only the leaf extract has been tested for biological activity, showing generally promising results. However, further biological investigations are planned in the near future. This study highlights the immense potential of botanical gardens as reservoirs of valuable scientific information, which can be uncovered through interdisciplinary research and modern analytical techniques

ABSTRACT. Botanic gardens hold immense potential to lead integrated (ex situ and in situ) plant conservation and recovery, yet current efforts are not keeping pace with the accelerating risk of plant extinction. A major challenge lies in fragmented leadership, limited institutional commitment, and an underutilised global data ecosystem. The unequal distribution of plant collections, particularly in biodiversity-rich regions, further hampers impact. The community must rethink how it collaborates—building trust, improving data sharing, and developing an integrated meta-collection.

We are reimagining a vision for a globally connected information ecosystem that enables botanic gardens to collaborate more effectively by sharing, analysing, and acting on integrated living collections data (including seedbanks, cry, tissue culture, pollen, etc). Through this system, collection managers can align their holdings with both global and local conservation priorities—maximising conservation value, ensuring genetic representation, optimising space, and building long-term resilience.

To achieve this, we need to first understand how the global conservation impact will be measured and driven by clear metrics, which will then be supported by a unified network of interoperable standards and systems that allow equitable access and participation—especially for under-resourced gardens in the Global South. In this interactive presentation/discussion we aim to gather thoughts on which clear metrics we should collectively use.

This collaborative approach will elevate the role of botanic gardens as central actors in securing the future of plant diversity.

ABSTRACT. Botanic garden landscapes and the living collections they contain are tasked with supporting research, conservation, education, and display. However, within these broad purposes, there can be a wide variety of plant collections, landscape styles, and interpretative themes. Coupled with the pressure for botanic gardens to host large-scale events to support income generation. All of which can lead to competing interests and challenges.

The Missouri Botanical Garden’s living collections include 17,800 taxa, integrated across the site into landscapes with themes such as; taxonomic groupings, demonstration gardens, plant group-focused display, cultural landscapes, and biome-based displays. These landscapes have been developed over the gardens 166-year history; a key aspect in any planning is to understand preservation and sense of place. Within these landscapes, we house collections that support research and conservation, including 1,500 species of conservation concern that are an active part of our ex situ conservation efforts.

One of the key challenges in horticulture and living collections management at all botanic gardens is balancing display with collection value, which can at times be difficult. At the Missouri Botanical Garden, our core ethos is to integrate plant collections into artistic and beautiful displays composed of high mission-value plants.

This presentation will focus on the approaches the Missouri Botanical Garden is adopting to integrate curation and landscape design. These approaches support various levels of landscape planning—from site-wide strategies to individual landscape projects, down to modifications of planting within borders. At the larger scale, the Garden is developing flexible site analysis methods. At the planting design level, we are integrating the curation process into landscape plans using the Garden’s living collections management system.

We will share some of the challenges we are encountering through implementation of the landscape design processes, solutions, opportunities, and next steps.

ABSTRACT. Botanic Gardens play a crucial role in plant conservation, research, education, and public engagement, but to fulfill these roles effectively, it is essential to have a clear understanding of what is actually growing in the garden. The value of a living collection goes far beyond the number of species it contains. Key factors such as type of origin of accessions, their conservation status (e.g. IUCN Red List categories), their presence or rarity in other gardens (e.g. via tools like PlantSearch.org), their aesthetic or educational appeal, and even their age an historical significance all contribute to the overall importance of a collection. A thorough inventory and structured evaluation of these parameters is fundamental for strategic collection management, conservation prioritization, and enhancing the relevance of botanic gardens in a rapidly changing world.

At the Ghent University Botanical Garden, an upcoming renovation of the greenhouse complex has prompted a timely and necessary evaluation of the living collections housed within. With hundreds of taxa currently growing under glass, an early and systematic assessment allows us to identify which specimens hold particular scientific, conservation, historical or aesthetic value, and which may be less critical to retain. This proactive approach not only supports informed decision-making during the renovation process, but also strengthens the long-term strategy for managing and curating the collections in line with global conservation goals such as the preservation of threatened species, the safeguarding of genetic diversity, and the promotion of ex situ conservation as outlined in the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation.

As part of this effort, bachelor students carried out an in-depth inventory and evaluation of the garden’s extensive orchid collection. Their work provided a detailed overview of the collection’s composition and revealed several rare and valuable taxa. This not only highlighted the collection’s scientific and conservation potential, but also offered insight into which plants could be prioritized for propagation and sharing with other institutions. The results of this student-led project not only demonstrate the importance of collection-based research and collaboration, but also show how targeted evaluations can guide practical decisions about conservation, propagation, and collection development in a botanic garden setting.

ABSTRACT. In line with their social and educational role, botanical gardens increasingly advocate for sustainability and implement environmentally conscious practices within their operations. Since 2012, Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam has actively worked to improve sustainability in its daily operations. This presentation provides an overview of our development and the ways in which we aim to raise public awareness.

To reduce CO₂ emissions resulting from gas usage for heating the Climate House, our main greenhouse, a custom ground-coupled heat exchange system was established with the neighbouring H’ART museum. This system transfers surplus heat from the museum to the greenhouse, reducing our gas consumption by 85%, while also lowering the cooling demand of the museum. From 2024 to mid-2025, our Climate House underwent major renovations to address maintenance needs and further improve energy efficiency. Specific improvements include the use of low-emissivity glazing on the façades, the placement of triple-layer ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) cushions in the roof and the installation of an integrated climate control station enabling demand-driven heating, ventilation and air-conditioning.

To improve our water management, we are collaborating with the Delft University of Technology, focusing on rainwater collection and storage. Current rainwater harvesting systems significantly reduce the amount of tap water used for irrigation. However, to move towards 'water neutrality', additional infrastructure is required. As part of the project, the required storage capacity and suitable locations for spatial integration have been identified and can be implemented over time.

Additionally, we aim to raise public awareness about sustainability. An exterior panel on our greenhouse outlines sustainability measures; the interior of the renovated Climate House now includes three rooms guiding visitors through the importance of biodiversity and climate change, potential threats, and offering opportunities to reflect on their own place in nature and ways to act. Adjustments have also been made to our education programme, restaurant, and shop to reflect these values.

These combined efforts, in collaboration with partnering institutions, contribute to ongoing reductions in CO₂ emissions and water use, while promoting organisational development in alignment with sustainable practices and encouraging public engagement with the challenges and opportunities of sustainable change.

ABSTRACT. Preferred format: Oral presentation Selected Topic: T3 – Greenhouse management Relevant Session: S3.2 – Technology in horticulture

Optimizing Greenhouse Conditions through Glazing Materials and Modular 3D-Printed Structures Ing. Stanislav Hybler, Ing. arch. Vojtěch Hybler Faculty of Architecture, Czech Technical University in Prague (ČVUT) Emails: shybler@seznam.cz, vojtech.hybler@archport.cz The optimization of greenhouse environments is crucial for the growth and health of plants in botanical gardens. This study explores the synergistic effects of advanced glazing materials and modular 3D-printed structures on greenhouse conditions. The research conducted by Ing. Stanislav Hybler focuses on the impact of various glazing materials on light transmission within greenhouses. Concurrently, Ing. arch. Vojtěch Hybler investigates the potential of modular 3D-printed structures to enhance the adaptability and efficiency of greenhouse designs.

Our findings indicate that the integration of these two innovative approaches can significantly improve the microclimate within greenhouses, leading to better plant growth and resource efficiency. The use of advanced glazing materials allows for precise control over environmental factors, while modular 3D-printed structures offer flexibility in design and construction, enabling tailored solutions for different plant species.

This fusion of technologies presents a promising pathway for the development of optimized greenhouses in botanical gardens, ensuring that plants receive the ideal conditions for growth. The implications of this research extend to sustainable practices in horticulture and the broader field of environmental management.

ABSTRACT. To reach new audiences and strengthen their educational missions, botanical gardens are modernizing and can now use new digital tools. This is also a way to make visits more dynamic and interactive. To provide visitors with a different, fun, and educational experience, the Botanical Gardens of Greater Nancy and the University of Lorraine have developed an augmented reality tour application. This enhances the visit with games, videos, and the presence of animal species in augmented reality, linked to the plant collections. The Botanical Gardens of Greater Nancy and the University of Lorraine comprise two sites: the Jean-Marie Pelt Botanical Garden near Nancy and the Haut Chitelet High-Altitude Garden in the Vosges Mountains. In Nancy, approximately 180,000 visitors visit the site each year. It includes a 25-hectare park and eight large tropical greenhouses. Following the award of a European grant (Pierres numériques), the botanical gardens worked with an agency specializing in the implementation of digital technology in museums and cultural places. The goal was to strengthen the institution's educational mission and attract new audiences through innovative tools. The project was carried out by the garden's teams to showcase the collections and provide a better understanding of the relationships between plants and animals (for example pollination) and the challenges of conservation. Two different versions of the tour are available (adults and children), both in the greenhouses and in the park. The application developed can be downloaded free of charge to mobile phones, or visitors can rent a digital tablet from the reception for a small fee. The initiative benefited from a vast promotional campaign, and both schoolgroups and the general public can use the tool independently. However, we regret the relatively low number of tablet rentals and app downloads, raising questions about people's motivations for visiting a botanical garden. Don't they ultimately want to come to our places to disconnect from digital technology, preferring sensory experiences?