Hilbert's Sixteenth Problem for Polynomial Liénard Equations

This article reports on the survey talk 'Hilbert's Sixteenth Problem for Liénard equations,' given by the author at the Oberwolfach Mini-Workshop 'Algebraic and Analytic Techniques for Polynomial Vector Fields.' It is written in a way that it is accessible to a public with heterogeneous mathematical background. The article reviews recent developments and techniques used in the study of Hilbert's 16th problem where the main focus is put on the subclass of polynomial vector fields derived from the Liérd equations. © 2012 Springer Basel AG.