Exploring the Interconnected World of Plants
As a passionate botanist and researcher in plant ecology, systematics, and phylogeny, I’ve had the privilege of visiting numerous herbaria and botanical gardens around the world. These visits, which began during my PhD and continue today, are both a source of inspiration and a vital resource for my research.
🧾 Herbaria: Archives of Plant Diversity
Herbaria are essential scientific repositories, preserving specimens that document the biodiversity of past and present ecosystems. During my research, I have studied collections in institutions such as:
Herbarium of Genève, Central Herbarium of Tehran University, Kew herbarium, and …
These historical collections have enabled me to access rare, often centuries-old specimens — crucial for taxonomic revisions, phylogenetic analyses, and understanding evolutionary patterns.
Herbaria also contribute to conservation biology by tracking shifts in plant distributions, identifying threatened species, and providing evidence of environmental change over time.
🌿 Botanical Gardens: Living Laboratories
Botanical gardens such as the Istanbul Botanical Garden and the Jardin des Plantes in Paris offer a dynamic, living context for plant research. They allow direct observation of:
- Plant-pollinator interactions
- Phenotypic plasticity and adaptation
- Responses to environmental stress
These institutions also play a key role in ex-situ conservation, preserving rare and endangered species outside their native habitats.
🌍 A Global Perspective on Biodiversity
Together, herbaria and botanical gardens serve as gateways to understanding plant diversity, ecosystem resilience, and the urgent need for conservation. In a world facing climate change and biodiversity loss, these visits reinforce the importance of plant science in addressing challenges like food security, habitat degradation, and sustainable land use.
They continue to shape my academic path — not just as research tools, but as sources of inspiration and deeper connection to the natural world.