Botanical gardens have had and continue to play a fundamental role in conserving plant species and attracting tourism. Thanks to the botanical gardens, it has been possible to extend knowledge to the population about the various species of plants that exist. Many people wonder what are the functions of botanical gardens.
Therefore, in this article we are going to tell you what the functions of botanical gardens are and how important they are.
What is a botanical garden?
A botanical garden is a space dedicated to the cultivation, study and conservation of a wide variety of plants, with the main objective of promoting scientific research, education and the preservation of botanical diversity. These spaces usually house collections of plants from different parts of the world, classified and organized meticulously to facilitate their study and understanding.
At its core, a botanical garden is much more than just a green space. It is a refuge for the flora of diverse ecosystems, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in a world of natural beauty and knowledge. These gardens usually exhibit plants that go beyond the ornamental, including endemic species, in danger of extinction or of scientific interest.
One of the key elements of a botanical garden is its educational function. These spaces generate educational programs, guided tours and activities aimed at promoting environmental awareness and understanding of the importance of conserving biodiversity. Additionally, they provide a conducive environment for botanical research, allowing Scientists and botanists study the behavior, ecology and interaction of various plants under controlled conditions.
In many cases, grounds botanicals are important for the conservation of endangered species. Through breeding, research and reintroduction programs, they actively contribute to the preservation of genetic diversity and the long-term survival of threatened plants.
When botanical gardens emerge
The intertwined history of botanical gardens, botany and medicine is a complex narrative. While recreational gardens have existed since ancient times, it was "simple gardens" that marked the first foray into scientific botanical exploration. These gardens, often associated with the cultivation of medicinal plants, were closely linked to temples dedicated to Asclepius, the Greek god of medicine. In Ancient Rome, various professions specialized in the use of medicinal plants emerged, among them ointment specialists, medicine sellers and medicine preparers.
During the medieval period in Europe, both urban doctors and monks in monasteries began to cultivate their own private gardens, giving rise to Latin terms such as hortus sanitus, hortus medicus, herbularius, erbarium botanicum and hortus botanicus, all of which referred to to these gardens.
Ancient doctors and monks required specific areas for the cultivation of plants that would be used in the creation of remedies and medicinal substances. Hernán Cortés, in his stories from Mesoamerica, mentions that the nobles and influential figures of Mexica society had designated spaces dedicated to the cultivation of various types of flora, very similar to the gardens found inside Moctezuma's palace.
During the Renaissance, the concept of gardens underwent a transformation, evolving from humble spaces to formally recognized institutions. These gardens, which are often located within universities and used for educational purposes, They gradually expanded their focus to include a wider variety of plant species, even those without medicinal properties.. This change led to the development of true botanical gardens, with Italy, Spain and France pioneering this movement in the 16th century. These early botanical gardens served as precursors to those we see today.
Today, numerous universities maintain their own botanical gardens, which serve as centers for the examination and research of a wide range of plant species. In addition, some universities have botanical gardens specifically designed for the exploration of molecular complexities and the execution of genetic research.
What functions do botanical gardens fulfill?
Plant Conservation
The main objective of the botanical garden is to gather and safeguard a wide variety of plants, whether native or foreign, and safeguard species that are in danger of disappearingThe conservation and protection of threatened or endangered species is one of the main objectives, as it plays a crucial role in facilitating the reproduction of new species. To expand this work, some gardens implement specific programs for the conservation of endangered species, including species threatened by the environment. climate change and the loss of natural habitats.
botanical research
Various scientific tasks are carried out in the botanical garden, such as the study of botany known as Taxonomy and the exploration of how exotic species They adapt to environments beyond their natural habitat. In addition, many centers focus on the research in biodiversity and conservation to better understand the adaptation strategies of plants to environmental changes.
The data collected and research conducted on the newly discovered species offer valuable applications in the fields of agriculture, industry and medicinal research. Currently, certain botanical gardens focus their research efforts on the field of ecology, specifically exploring the intricate connection between plants and the human species.
Dissemination
The educational role of a botanical garden should not be overlooked. These gardens offer valuable collections of labeled plants that help in the study of systematization, which involves the classification and naming of plants in a specific order. Educational initiatives within botanical gardens encompass a wide range of activities, from from showcasing plants that thrive in different environments to providing practical advice for individual gardeners. In addition, many botanical gardens have their own shops where visitors can purchase flowers, herbs, and seedlings suitable for transplanting.
Places for leisure
Currently, botanical gardens are taking into account the aspect of preserve biodiversity and transmit natural heritage as part of its mission to educate and raise awareness about this important issue. The field of nature education offers a large number of tasks to complete. Without implementing an educational approach that fosters public awareness of the importance of preserving and conserving nature, all the research and studies carried out so far would be useless.
To delve deeper into the relationship between biodiversity and conservation, you can visit and understand how ecosystems work together to maintain biodiversity in controlled environments.
Tourism
Green tourism, also known as ecotourism, has become increasingly attractive to botanical gardens that prioritize ecological preservation. These institutions, which advocate for the protection of biodiversity and heritage values, have aroused great interest from the ecotourism sector. Many people travel to cities and visit their botanical gardens.
I hope that with this information you can learn more about the function of botanical gardens and their characteristics.
