Sustainable Development Goals at Baku State University.

At Baku State University, a masterclass titled “Comparative analysis of the flora of Azerbaijan and the Arctic tundra” was held at the Faculty of Ecology and Soil Science as part of events dedicated to Science Day in Azerbaijan.

The session was delivered by Elman Yusifov, Associate Professor and Chairman of the “Ecostyle Azerbaijan” Nature Protection Public Union. Dean of the faculty Akif Aghabali provided an overview of the speaker’s scientific contributions in the fields of botany and ecology.

During the masterclass, key similarities and differences between the flora of distinct botanical and geographical zones were analyzed. The discussion covered physical-geographical conditions, species diversity, plant adaptation mechanisms, and a comparative assessment of endemic and relict species. The influence of geological structure, surface and groundwater resources, climatic factors, and relief characteristics on vegetation patterns was explained using visual materials.

Particular attention was given to the effects of latitude and altitude on climate, hypsometric landscape distribution, slope vegetation, and the factors shaping these ecosystems. The comparative analysis also addressed the differentiation of landscapes across Azerbaijan and the Polar Ural region, including soil types in high mountainous areas and forest-tundra zones, along with their distinctive features.

In addition, geological structure, relief, and climatic indicators of the regions were examined, followed by a comparison of their floras, highlighting shared and distinct taxonomic characteristics and the factors influencing these differences. Recent findings related to the revision of Azerbaijan’s floral endemism were also presented.

It was noted that the materials presented were based on the speaker’s recent field research. The session concluded with discussions on fundamental issues in theoretical botany and bioecology, including florogenesis and factors influencing endemism.

SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 15 (Life on Land)