Educação ambiental escolar no cariri paraibano: conservação da biodiversidade tendo como ênfase a RPPN Fazenda Almas (São José dos Cordeiros - Bioma Caatinga)

Abstract

The Caatinga is among the Brazilian biomes that suffer the most changes due to anthropic impacts, so that most of its natural ecosystems were damaged. For this reason, there is a severe process of desertification, degradation of riparian forests, introduction of exotic species and constant fires. In view of this, it is essential to know the environmental perceptions of the subjects involved for the planning of an educational practice contextualized and delimited by the way in which the mannature relationship is understood. Thus, the present research had the general objective: To unveil a contextualized environmental education for the semiarid region, based on the biodiversity of the Caatinga biome, with emphasis on the RPPN Fazenda Almas, in a public school located in Cariri, Paraíba. And as specific objectives: to analyze the environmental perceptions of students in the 1st and 2nd grades of high school; discuss issues about conservation, environmental issues and sustainability of the Caatinga Biome in high school classes; reaffirm the importance of the Conservation Units and, especially, of the RPPN Fazenda Almas, in the process of building a contextualized environmental education for the semiarid region. The research was carried out through a qualitative approach, with data collection carried out through questionnaires (pre and post-test); as a technique for analyzing the empirical data, Content Analysis of the Category type was used. The research involved 30 students from the 1st and 2nd grades of High School at EEEFM Bartolomeu Maracajá. The pre- and post-test results showed that most students understand nature in a “Naturalist a” way; the environment “Como Natureza”; claims not to know the concept of ecology; understand Environmental Education (in the pre-test) as “Sensibilização” and “Não Soube” (23%), while in the post-test, the “Generalista” category was most cited (40%) followed by the unprecedented “Disciplina Curricular” (33%); define the Caatinga “Como Bioma”; highlight the “fires” and “deforestation” as the main environmental impacts; understand that the main importance of the RPPN Fazenda Almas is “Proteção da Biodiversidade”. Five pedagogical experiences were carried out, where it was possible to discuss various contents related to the impacts on the Caatinga. It was also possible to reflect on the importance of Conservation Units, fauna, flora and the need to combat the predatory use of the environment. It is important to recognize that EA is a gradual process, which builds more different spaces. Thus, it is important to seek to sensitize the subjects, using data available in research similar to this one, to enhance educational interventions.