Poland

Plants are an incredibly chemically rich group of organisms. It is estimated that they can biosynthesize as many as 150,000-200,000 different chemical compounds. During this lecture, we will learn about the main groups of plant bioactive substances and their health-promoting or toxic effects on humans.

The begonia is a plant that can truly surprise you with its diversity. It comes in many species and varieties – some delight with colorful flowers, while others feature ornamental leaves with fascinating patterns and shapes.

It can be small and delicate, or larger and more striking. It grows well indoors, as well as on balconies or in gardens. Thanks to this, anyone can find a begonia that perfectly fits their space.

It is an excellent choice for those who love eye-catching and spectacular plants. Through its delicacy and elegance, the begonia shows just how many different “faces” a single plant can have.

We have ECGs, X-rays, and CT scans, but what about plants? Do we know how to examine them? Fortunately, yes! In this lecture, I will show how scientists use chlorophyll fluorescence to quickly and non-invasively assess plant condition, as well as detect stress or disease before they become visible to the naked eye. Attendees will learn how specialized instruments work, how to perform such a test in practice, and why chlorophyll fluorescence-based methods are so vital for science, modern agriculture, and environmental protection.

What is a plant? What is a carotenoid? Are carotenoids produced only by plants? What do carotenoids provide to plants, and what do they offer to other organisms? Why are carotenoids essential for life? Is the saying “carrots are good for your eyes” a myth or a fact? These are examples of the questions I will answer during the lecture.

Attached image by Marcos Ramirez (Unsplush).

Why do some plants hunt animals? What does the menu of a carnivorous plant look like? Can we encounter them during a walk, and if so, where? This presentation and workshop session will give you an up-close look at this extraordinary group of plants, including species with intriguing names like sundew, butterwort, Venus flytrap, and pitcher plant. We will peek inside the traps of carnivorous plants, touch them, and even smell them — all to find out how they lure, catch, and digest their prey, and, above all, who is eating whom?!…

During this presentation, you will discover how to easily create a space for relaxation and peace in your surroundings (at home, work, or school) and get inspired by simple ways to store or display herbs. Participants will get to know common plant species around us that have medicinal properties, learn how to identify them, and discover the rules for storing them. You will find out which species are worth growing on your windowsills and which are better left for smelling rather than eating. Rediscover the power of the plants around you!

• 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM — “The history of xerothermic species in Central Europe in the light of phytogeographical research”

• 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM — “Drillers, travelers, and chemists – the strategies and secrets of steppe inhabitants”

• 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM — “How a walk can help butterflies”

• 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM — “The Deceptions of Orchids”

• 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM — “Grazing as a form of active conservation: changes in ecosystem functioning under the influence of livestock grazing”

• 2:45 PM – 3:10 PM — “Interventions in the beekeeping sector”

Speakers & Institutions: W. Szafer Institute of Botany of the Polish Academy of Sciences (IB PAN), Institute of Botany of the Jagiellonian University (IB UJ), Butterfly House in Ulina, Regional Directorate for Environmental Protection (RDOŚ) in Kraków, HORB Foundation, Agency for Restructuring and Modernisation of Agriculture (ARMA/ARiMR) – Miechów office