In search of Eden - about the gardens of Eden and modern nature conservation

Are compromises possible in nature conservation? What makes us find a sense of security and solace in contact with nature? Why are gardens - from biblical Eden to modern botanical gardens - of such great importance to humans?

These questions are answered by Professor Arkadiusz Nowak - director of the Botanical Garden of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Powsin, president of the Polish Botanical Society and biodiversity researcher - in a conversation with Krzysztof Smolnicki in the latest episode of the #MtalkTrees podcast on the #za5dwunasta channel.

The professor recalls the beginnings of his work, when, as Poland's youngest conservationist, he had to face difficult decisions and seek compromises in the dispute over the route of the highway through St. Anne's Mountain. This experience showed how complex nature conservation is - it requires not only knowledge and determination, but also dialogue and understanding of the needs of different parties.

• Underground life of grasslands - studies show that there is up to 60% more diversity hidden under the soil surface than in the above-ground part. It is the roots, tubers and rhizomes that determine the sustainability of ecosystems.
• The archetype of paradise - an analysis of biblical sources and botanical data indicates that paradise may have resembled the pistachio groves in the Zagros Mountains, where man found water, food and shelter.
• Invasive plants - why some "nice and green" species planted in gardens are becoming a threat to native wildlife.
• Naturotherapy and minimalist gardens - contact with simple forms of greenery reduces stress and promotes health, showing that even a small garden can have therapeutic power.
• The role of education and funding - effective conservation requires not only science and law, but also stable financial support, including from domestic sources, not just EU sources.

As Prof. Nowak points out, a healthy person is a person living in a healthy ecosystem. Trees and plants provide us with oxygen, food, medicine and a sense of beauty, but also a space for mental regeneration. Botanical gardens - such as the one in Powsin - today play a dual role: they are a place of relaxation and inspiration for visitors, and at the same time an important base for scientific research on biodiversity and nature conservation.