PARENT SESSION
Poster Session 16: Ecology Education
Tuesday, August 9, 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM, Exhibit Hall 220 A-E, Level 2, Palais des congrès de Montréal

A survey on ecological education of undergraduate students.

CAPILLA, CARMEN ^*,1, ¹ UNIVERSIDAD POLITECNICA, VALENCIA, SPAIN

ABSTRACT- Ecological education is critical to solve ecological problems and for efficient natural resources management. The development and present situation of ecological education in Spain differs from most European countries in that ecological awareness and education spread later than in them. Specialization degrees on ecology were established in Spanish universities ten years ago. Now a days most of the science degrees curricula include subjects to increase future professionals awareness of ecosystems. In order to develop a coherent and systematic ecological education, information is necessary with regard to ecological interest, knowledge and attitudes of the students. In this paper the results of a survey to gather information on ecological literacy and education of Spanish undergraduates are presented. The survey includes questions related to their personal situation (age, gender, etc), but its main part focuses on their attitudes, knowledge, perception and concern of conservation and management of ecological issues. Students in different academic years and degrees from several universities are interviewed. The results analysis show that students perception and understanding of ecosystems problems, their causes and management responsibilities to reduce them, are often inhomogeneous and inadequate. These discrepancies are not much smaller with students in higher semesters. Their level of comprehension increases with their concern. These results provide information to improve ecological education, with the aim of preparing students to cope with ecological challenges and recognize their own responsibilities for future developments.

Key words: Ecological education, Ecological awareness, Survey