Üniversite öğrencilerinin biyoçeşitlilik algısı ve biyoçeşitlilikle ilgili tutumlarının analizi

Turkey has a very rich biodiversity yet this enourmous richness is seriously under threat. Lack of nature education leads conservation acts and campaigns to be under supported and even rejected by people. To have a sufficient nature education is very important for young population, who are scientists, engineers, decision makers, law makers...etc. of the future. In Turkey, nature education basically consists of biology courses. In this study, two hundred higher education students were asked to participate in a twelve item questionnaire about biodiversity. Their perception and attitudes towards biodiversity were investigated. Results show that although the students know what biodiversity is and they are sensitive about environmental issues they have many confusions, misconceptions and lack of knowledge. Results also underline that, a well planned, early starting nature education which families also will be a part of it is required and this education should be seperated from biology courses and be a life long learning process.