issn 1392-3714 SciEntiFic RESEarcH in THE nationaL botanic GardEN OF LatVia in 2006-2011 Ludmila Vishnevska National Botanic Garden of Latvia, Miera Str. 1, Salaspils, LV-2169; e-mail: [email protected] Abstract For the collection amount and taxonomic identity, as well as the area of scientific and popular scientific activities, NBG is a leading botanic garden in Baltic states (Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania), estimating collections of c. 15 000 taxa in area of 129 ha. In Latvia NBG is the main institution where purposefully ex situ collections of rare and endangered plants of Latvian flora are developed and wide range conservation-related studies are undertaken. Cultivars of large-fruit cranberries and high blueberries introduced and bred in the NBG and their growing technologies are implemented in Latvian national economy. Cultivars of park roses bred in NBG are widespread in Latvian gardens, as well as in North Europe and North America. NBG is environmental education and information agency; it promotes rational and sustainable use of nature resources. Research work in the National Botanic Garden is developed in tree main directions: research and gene found conservation of open area plants (about 60% of scientific activities); plant biological diversity conservation in vitro (30%); research and gene found conservation of indoor plants (10%). The main priority for the nearest 3 years is building of ex situ conservation centre. Key words: National Botanic Garden (NGB) of Latvia, scientific research. INTRoduction According to international classification (Wyse Jackson, Sutherland, 2000), NBG is multifunctional botanic garden – an institution keeping scientifically documented living plant collections with the goal to use them for the biological diversity conservation, scientific research, professional education and community information in areas of environment protection and gardening. NBG represents Latvia in 122 Ludmila Vishnevska these areas of activities and is one of the scientific and cultural symbols of the country. NBG collections have a great potential as a base for the scientific research in plant taxonomy, introduction, biological diversity conservation, breeding and other directions. For the collection amount and taxonomic identity, as well as the area of scientific and popular scientific activities, NBG is a leading botanic garden in Baltic states (Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania), and among the most noteworthy in Northeast Europe; estimating collections of c. 15 000 taxa in area of 129 ha. For comparison, the world’s largest botanic garden – Royal Botanic Garden Kew (UK) reports 28 689 taxa in 104 ha, while the second one in UK, RBG Edinburgh – 15 321 taxa in 32 ha (data from http://www.bgci.org/garden_search.php). NBG collections have great potential as a base for research in plant taxonomy, introduction, biological diversity conservation, breeding and other purposes. In Latvia NBG is the main institution where purposefully ex situ collections of rare and endangered plants of Latvian flora are developed and wide range conservation-related studies are undertaken, in accordance with the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC) for 2002-2010 and 2011-2020. The social impact of the National Botanic Gardens activities Technology transfer and innovations: Cultivars of large-fruit (American) cranberries and high blueberries introduced and bred in the NBG and their growing technologies are implemented in Latvian national economy. Seven from the 21 cultivars of park roses bred in NBG are widespread in Latvian gardens, as well as in North Europe and North America. Environmental education, tourism and recreation: NBG is environmental education and information centre, it promotes rational and sustainable use of nature resources. There are worked out different educational programs in biological diversity conservation, as well as in practical gardening. Special thematic excursions guided by NBG specialists about perspective untraditional berry, medicinal and spice plants are popular. The “Rose Days” and “Researcher’s Night” events, as well as NBG thematic exhibitions in the Riga Natural History Museum and stands in the different other exhibitions, are brightly attended. NBG 123 botanikos sodo raštai / Scripta Horti Botanici proposes workshops for pupils guided with the certified environmental guides. The NBG informative infrastructure – cognitive trails with information panels, homepage, different informative and educational materials and other qualified NBG specialists are regularly publishing popular scientific papers and books, taking part in the radio and TV broadcasts, consulting journalists and other interested persons, as well as delivering lectures about different gardening and environmental education themes. NBG is known also as the first source of plant material for different purposes. NBG is noteworthy tourism object in Riga region. About 29 000 visitors are coming to the garden during the year. In co-operation with the Salaspils local government diverse cultural events are organized in the territory of NBG. The traditional plant markets belong to the biggest activities of such kind in Latvia. Dendrology Society of Latvia, Society of Lilly breeders “Lillium Balticum” and Latvian Society of Plant Nursery are acting by the NBG. Keeping of state asset: NBG is keeper of especially protected area “National Botanic Garden of Latvia”, it manages the territory of Salaspils town with common area 129 hectares. In this area especially protected dendrological plantations, plant collections and expositions, as well as buildings and constructions, engineering structures and hydraulic facilities, are placed (Leimane et al., 2008). Research work in the National Botanic Garden is developed in three main directions: A. Research and gene found conservation of open area plants (about 60% of scientific activities): 1. Research and conservation of introduced woody plants The research on woody plant taxonomy, ecology, introduction and acclimatization is carried out. The dendrological collection (c. 4500 taxa) is created and maintained for this purpose. Experts of Dendroflora Department undertake inventory and research of Latvian parks and other dendrological objects. Using the experience obtained, scientifically based management measures for conservation and protection of Latvian cultural and historical heritage – the old manor parks, alleys and monumental trees of local and alien species – are developed. Scientific publications present many year scientific 124 Ludmila Vishnevska observations on results of introduction and acclimatization of woody plants, as well as new uses for prosperous woody plant forms in the NBG, Rucava Arboretum, and other dendrological collections in Latvia (Bice et al., 2006a, 2006b, 2006c; Bice et al., 2007a, 2007b, 2007c, 2007d; Evarts-Bunders et al., 2008; Laivinš et al., 2009; Bojare, Svilāns, 2010; Strode, 2010; Roze et al., 2010; Roze, Strode, 2010; Roze, 2011a, 2011b, 2011c; Bondare, Knape, 2011; Bondare et al., 2011; Roze et al., 2011a). 2. Research and conservation of native flora The scientific management of Latvian rare and endangered plant species collection ex situ is carried out. Scientists are developing research on long-term plant species adaptation to ex situ conditions. In the area of NBG the habitat models with rare and protected native plant species are created. The morphological, physiological and ecological studies of native woody plants in situ are carried out to create a theoretical basis for biologically diverse collection ex situ. Scientific publications present the results of rare and endangered plant species studies and conservation opportunities ex situ, as well as preliminary results of NBG native flora studies (Strode, Roze, 2009a, 2009b; Kļaviņa, Šmite, 2009; Belogrudova, Jakobsone, 2010; Jakobsone, 2009; Jakobsone et al., 2010a, 2010b; Belogrudova et al., 2010; Priede, Kļaviņa, 2011; Strode, Roze, 2011; Vishnevska et al., 2011a, 2011b). 3. Studies on cultural history-ethnobotany An ethnobotanical study “Plants as a sign of Latvian identity” is performed since 2007. The research deals with historical understanding of plants as a sign of Latvian identity, as well as factors that have influenced the perception of the term “Latvian plants”, the importance of it in and outside Latvia, the role of these plants in Latvian cultural landscape, including the local differences. The research about use of “Latvian plants” in integration processes is started (Roze, 2009; Roze, 2010a, 2010b, 2010c). 4. Taxonomical studies of several critical groups, mainly Iris subgen. Scorpiris (juno irises), as well as Muscari and Allium sect. Codonoprasum They include cytogenetic approach, analysis of karyotypes, molecular investigation (results has been partly published in 2011 (Ikinci et al., 2011)), morphology studies at various Herbaria, pollination 125 botanikos sodo raštai / Scripta Horti Botanici strategy comparison, study of original identity of several species and conservation proposals of relevant names and types. These activities have been partially funded by the research project “Taxonomy of Iris subgen. Scorpiris: morphology, nomenclature, cytogenetics, molecular studies, palinology and carpology” of Latvian Council of Science (2006- 2008). This multidisciplinary approach is an essential contribution for taxonomic revision of juno irises and is expected to result in a monograph in preparation by T. Hall (RBG Kew, UK) and A. Seisums (NBG). The taxonomy investigation of other