In the context of innovative research conducted in The Gardens, the following main themes presently being pursued:
Flora Resources
- vascular plant family diversity and its subsequent mapping
- differentiation of plant growth in nature
- botanical acclimatization and introduction of plants
Biological protection
- Preservation of rare and endangered species in situ and ex situ
Landscape planning
- Nature-friendly methods as a basis for landscape planning
- Formation and protection of flora in urban areas
- Biological recultivation of land anthropogenically transformed
The development of research and realisation of various educational programmes very often contributes to the work of international institutions such as: Botanic Gardens Conservation International, International Associaton of Botanical Gardens, European Botanic Garden Consortium as well national organisations such as Polish Botanic Gardens Council and the Polish Association of Botanic Gardens.
In recent years the research infrastructure has broadened significantly through the installation of the most modern electronic meteorological stations in the region as well as the development of this unit with highly specialised equipment that measures air pollution automatically, shared in collaboration with the Regional Inspectorate of Environmental Protection. In addition, an electronic data base has been created, the result of several years work in cataloging Flora in the Gardens. For the first time in the history of the Botanical Gardens the Index Plantarum has been published, listing vascualr plants that have come into its collection.
In addition, to further research and teaching, a glasshouse area covering more than 800 m2 has been completely modernised.
In accordance with the guidelines of the 4th World Congress of Botanical Gardens in Asherville, USA in 2000, the Gardens' collection is changing focus in regard to widely understood general community needs of education in the natural sciences.
Thus a wide variety of subjects for the purposes of education are being introduced in the comprehensive system of exploratory walks as well as a complex system of information boards that address various needs. Furthermore, numerous publications are now available that popularise this field such as the first Polish 'Multimedia Guide to the AMU Botanical Gardens'. The crowning of all these activities will be the completion of work on The Wielkopolska Natural Sciences Education Centre, which is to be resumed in autumn this year.
The AMU Botanical Gardens, on account of the unique nature of its flora collection, is highly valued by academics and students of all universities for its research and educational work.
It is worth noting that because of its charm as an oasis of peace and nature, it also a popular spot to meet friends and family as well as rest, for those that love their 'Gardens' in Poznań.
