Adil GÜNER, Vehbi ESER - optima

ORAL PRESENTATIONS
METALLOPHYTES: A UNIQUE BIOLOGICAL RESOURCE FOR MINE
SITE REMEDIATION, ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION AND
PHYTOMINING
A. J . M. BAKER
School of Botany, The University of Melbourne, Australia ;ajmb@unimelb.edu.au
Metallophytes – plants that have evolved on metal-enriched soils – have key ‘values’ that must
drive research on their unique properties, and ultimately their conservation. The ability of
metallophytes to tolerate extreme metal concentrations commends them as the optimal choice for
ecological restoration of mineral wastes and metal-contaminated sites. Metallophytes have also
spawned several novel phytotechnologies, including phytoextraction and phytomining. Action
towards conserving the global metallophyte resource base is imperative because many species are
under threat of extinction from mining activities. This has been identified as a priority in the
Mining, Minerals and Sustainable Development (MMSD) Project of the Global Mining Initiative
in 2002, but positive responses from the minerals industry have been slow. The last decade has
however seen an ever-increasing interest in metal-tolerant and metal-accumulating plants both
from an academic standpoint and their use in restoration and phytostabilization. Few studies have
highlighted the need to conserve these species. This paper identifies future research needs for the
conservation and utilization of the global metallophyte biodiversity with some specific examples
from mediterranean Europe.
Keywords: metallophytes, phytotechnologies, phytoextraction, phytomining, phytostabilization,
ecological restoration.
TOWARDS THE NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN OF TURKEY
Adil GÜNER 1 , Vehbi ESER 2
1 Nezahat Gökyi�it Botanik Bahçesi, Director, �stanbul, Turkey;adilguner@mac.com
2 Tar�m ve Köyi�leri Bakanl���, Tar�msal Ara�t�rmalar Genel Müdürlü�ü, Ankara, Turkey;veser@tagem.gov.tr
History and the current situation of botanic gardens in Turkey is summarized with special
reference to some active botanic gardens. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs has
decided to establish a National Botanic Garden in response to the need and demand expressed
mainly by scientists and specialists from the Ministry. The short history of the developments
about the National Botanic Garden is given. The results of the mission statement workshop held
by the Ministry are mentioned as the expected future of the National Botanic Garden.
Keywords: National Botanic Garden, Turkey.
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Oral Lectures