Rescuing Species in the Botanical Garden
Adonis vernalis (pheasant’s eye), Ajuga laxmannii (bugleweed), Anchusa barrelieri (Barrelier’s bugloss), Ranunculus illyricus, Silene bupleuroides (catchfly), Viola ambigua (violet), Vinca herbacea (herbaceous periwinkle) and many other rare flowering plants, totalling 82 are included in a plant rescue programme currently underway at the Botanical Garden of the University of Szeged.
“We are participating in a programme to protect natural stands of rare loess steppe plant species in a 160-hectare area of the Körös-Maros National Park. This nature conservation programme was launched in March 2017 and involves 82 plant species, including 16 protected and 52 regionally endangered species” reports Anikó Németh, director of the Botanical Garden of the University of Szeged.
The Pannon loess steppe is one of the most complex and species-rich plant community in Hungary. This community is endangered due to the rich and fertile chernozem soil found in the National Park has largely been ploughed for cultivation. Leaving only small patches of these plants on the slopes of kurgans or between alkali grasslands. Planting areas have been marked and seeds have been collected from the designated plant species within 30 kilometres of the planting areas. The seeds are currently being purified and stored till sowed. There is virtually no knowledge about the reproduction and development of 50 of the 82 plant species to be replanted.
To rescue these plants, sowing experiments have been established to find the optimal conditions and time period for germination adds Anikó Németh describing a crucial step in the nature conservation programme. Seedlings will be planted in multiple phases, with the characteristic natural spatial distribution and growth characteristics of plants taken into consideration. This project will result in the Botanical Garden of the University of Szeged helping plant diversity of Pannon loess steppes in the Southern Trans-Tisza Region by planting 25 thousand seedlings and sowing 255 thousand seeds by the end of 2021.
SZTE Experience
Ahmad Adha - Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
I am Ahmad Adha from Indonesia and currently a 3rd year student in Theoretical Linguistics PhD program. I chose the University of Szeged (SZTE) as my study destination because it is located in the center of the town and it is also the highest ranked university in Hungary. The university staff and the professors were very accommodating and understanding when I decided to change the program that suits my research topic. I am so glad that I can be a part of my current department, and of course SZTE, since it is also the Center of Pragmatic Research which aims to promote advanced linguistic pragmatic research with international collaborations. After graduating, I wish to continue to work in my academic field as a professor and a researcher. My advice for prospective SZTE students is to choose a university with a good academic reputation that fits their passion.
Hamza Baniata – Faculty of Science and Informatics
I am Hamza Baniata, a first-year student at the Doctoral School of Computer Science, and I am From Jordan. SZTE is continuously supporting research and it has an internationally recognized, highly ranked group of professors. It also offers courses and research topics that are strongly related to my research field; Cloud Computing, Fog Computing and Internet of Things. All of this motivated me to apply to the University/Department of Software Engineering. Szeged is a calm city, full of love and peace. The University of Szeged is similar to the city, which provides the perfect environment for creation and development. Studying at the university requires a high level of effort, commitment and seriousness. Applying to the university and having these characteristics are my two pieces of advice to prospective students. It is very early to define my future now, but I am planning to apply to a research position in my field after graduation and if I had the opportunity, I would love to contribute my effort and knowledge in advancing such a wonderful and respected university.
