Opinions of teachers working in Elmalı district of Antalya province on biodiversity

The aim of this research is to reveal the views of teachers working in Antalya province Elmalı district on biological diversity. The study group of the research consists of 21 science teachers determined in accordance with the homogeneous sampling method, which is one of the purposive sampling methods. Case study, one of the qualitative research methods, was used in the research. A semi-structured interview form developed by the researcher was used as a data collection tool in the research. The data obtained in the research were analyzed using descriptive analysis and content analysis techniques. As a result of the research, teachers; It has been seen that they define biological diversity as living and species diversity. It has been seen that they explain genetic diversity as gene transfer and intraspecific diversity, species diversity as intraspecific and interspecies diversity, ecosystem diversity as living habitat diversity and ecological events diversity as climate, environmental structure and natural disasters. Regarding the value of biological diversity, it has been seen that they define its ecological value as the richness of biodiversity, its economic value as products in the field of medicine, its cultural value as the transfer of diversity to the future and its medicinal value as drug production. They stated that Turkey has a rich biological diversity, but this is in the direction of decreasing. They explained that the factor that affects biological diversity is human, and that the factors that affect it generally affect it negatively. They stated that in order to transfer biological diversity to the future, awareness-raising activities should be carried out within the scope of education and there should be deterrent penalties within the scope of the law. It has been concluded that the sources of information about biodiversity are printed materials, article/theses as a safe and effective source, the internet is the way to reach the sources and they generally do not have any difficulties while reaching the sources.