The Botanical Garden of the University of Banja Luka

Abstract

The Botanical Garden of the University of Banjaluka is part of the “University City” complex sprawling over 5.3 ha. The complex began as the "Vrbas" Austro-Hungarian barracks at the end of the nineteenth century and it was used for military purposes until 2004. After being assigned to the University of Banja Luka in 2004, the area was allocated to the Genetic Resources Institute to make use of it. The Botanical Garden facilities are divided into three separate sections. In one section, the setting up of the botanical collections of genetic resources has begun. There is a fruit collection and preliminary characterization has also started on the accessions. In addition, ex-situ collections of vegetables, aromatic and medicinal plants and herbs, industrial and wild plants were designed. In the middle section, a pond was planned and the establishment of an arboretum collection was initiated, with representatives of autochthonous woody species. In the third section, green houses were designed and a building with gene bank facilities and laboratories was built. The Botanical Garden of the University of Banja Luka, as a place for ex-situ plant conservation, is of great importance for the conservation of biodiversity as well as for scientific research in this field.