Evaluating Ocean Literacy of Elementary School Students: Preliminary Results of a Cross-Cultural Study in the Mediterranean Region

A good understanding of the role and function of the ocean seems to be of paramount importance in recent years, constituting the basic tool for the promotion of healthy and sustainable marine environment, and a target area of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In this study, the content knowledge of elementary school students (grades 3–6) in regards to ocean sciences issues was examined. A structured questionnaire was administered to 1004 students participating in a cross-cultural study from three Mediterranean countries (Italy, Croatia, and Greece). The results of the study indicated a rather moderate level of knowledge in the total sample, while slight differences were recorded among the three countries revealing common knowledge gains and misconceptions. Rasch analysis was applied to further evaluate the validity of the results, while the influence of certain demographics on students' knowledge level was also investigated. This study concludes with a discussion of the implications on national curriculum development in elementary education level, in order to promote ocean literacy and to ensure protection and conservation of the Mediterranean Sea

Mediterranean Sea Literacy: When Ocean Literacy becomes region-specific

Ocean Literacy (OL) has been defined as an understanding of the ocean’s influence on people and their influence on the ocean. The OL movement was born in the US and its framework consisted of seven essential principles and 45 fundamental concepts; it is now largely accepted worldwide for use in both formal (schools and universities) and non-formal (research institutes, aquaria, museums, etc.) education settings. Based on this framework, marine scientists and educators developed the “Mediterranean Sea Literacy” (MSL) guide adapted to the specificities of the Mediterranean region, presented here. The MSL principles (7) and concepts (43), serving as guidance for research, education, informed decision-making, and improved citizens’ lifestyles, aim to contribute to environmental protection, conservation, and restoration of the Mediterranean Sea as well as to help to achieve a blue innovative and sustainable economy

Designing an environmental flow framework for impounded river systems through modelling of invertebrate habitat quality

Many rivers have undergone flow modification by impoundments to provide services such as water supply and hydropower. There is an established consensus that typical modified flow regimes do not sufficiently cater to the needs of downstream ecosystems, and more must be done to understand and mitigate their associated impacts. This study presents a novel, transferable framework by which a small-scale impoundment in North West England is assessed through the use of linked hydro-ecological modelling in SRH-2D and CASiMiR, utilising flow velocity measurements and macroinvertebrate sampling data. Model predictions of habitat quality were supplemented by established ecological principles such as the importance of flow heterogeneity. Results are used to design environmental flow regimes, with the aim of improving ecological metrics whilst considering conflicting water demands. Based on an analysis of historical flow records, the implementation of designer flows over a 12 month period demonstrated increased peak species habitat qualities of 23–26%, characteristics such as flow heterogeneity were more naturalised, and 22% less water was released from the impoundment. Should outcomes be validated by in-stream flow experiment, there is great potential for further development and application of this method, including regional transferability for the rapid designation of environmental flows across a number of sites of similar magnitude and geography

QUEL EST LE NIVEAU DE CULTURE DES OCÉANS DES ÉLÈVES FRÉQUENTANT LES ÉCOLES D'ART ? UNE ÉTUDE DE CAS DANS UN COLLÈGE GREC

International audienceTo achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 focusing on the ocean, people need to understand the role and function of the ocean and be aware of issues concerning protection and sustainable use of its resources. The Ocean Literacy Framework is now being used worldwide for both formal (schools, universities) and non-formal (e.g. research institutes, aquaria) education settings. The present pilot study aims to this direction by evaluating ocean sciences content knowledge of students attending a middle school of Arts in Greece. A structured questionnaire was administered to 162 students, while the infl uence of certain demographics on students’ knowledge level was also investigated. The results of the study revealed moderate knowledge, which is in line with the limited relevant literature regarding both knowledge gains and misconceptions, and the need for integration of relevant concepts in education to ensure sustainability of the ocean.Pour atteindre l'objectif de développement durable (ODD) 14 axé sur l'océan, les populations doivent comprendre le rôle et la fonction de l'océan et être conscientes des questions concernant la protection et l'utilisation durable de ses ressources. Le cadre d'initiation à l'océan est désormais utilisé dans le monde entier, tant dans le cadre d'activités formelles (écoles, universités) que non formelles (p. ex.). formelle (écoles, universités) et non formelle (par exemple, instituts de recherche, aquariums). La présente étude pilote La présente étude pilote va dans ce sens en évaluant la connaissance du contenu des sciences océaniques des étudiants fréquentant une école intermédiaire d'arts en Grèce. Un questionnaire structuré Un questionnaire structuré a été administré à 162 élèves, tandis que l'influence de certaines données démographiques sur le niveau de connaissances des élèves a également été étudiée. sur le niveau de connaissance des élèves a également été étudiée. Les résultats de l'étude ont révélé un niveau de connaissance modéré, ce qui est conforme à la littérature pertinente limitée concernant les gains de connaissances et les idées fausses, et la nécessité d'intégrer des concepts pertinents dans l'éducation pour assurer la durabilité de l'économie. concepts pertinents dans l'éducation pour assurer la durabilité de l'océan

First detection of Aphanomyces astaci and its potential responsibility for mass mortalities of Pontastacus (Astacus) leptodactylus in Greek lakes

Aphanomyces astaci is a pathogen categorized among the 100 worst invasive alien species, responsible for the crayfish plague disease. In the past, many disease outbreaks devastated native European crayfish populations. The pathogen was transferred in Europe by its natural carriers, among which is the North American crayfish species Pacifastacus leniusculus, that has been introduced in Greece during 1980s. On the other hand, Pontastacus leptodactylus represents an indigenous species in Greece and apart from being keystone organism constitutes a valuable food source. Here, we investigated populations from lakes Volvi, Polifitou and Vegoritida for the pathogen’s presence after the mass mortalities observed from local fishermen in the two of them, namely, Vegoritida and Polifitou. All samples from these two lakes were positive, verifying the pathogen presence for the first time in Greece. On the other hand, all examined Pacifastacus leniusculus individuals were surprisingly negative, despite the expected hypothesis that they could be the reason for the spread of the pathogen in Greece. The unfavorable environmental conditions observed this year in combination with the improper management practices may led to massive reduction of crayfish populations in lakes Vegoritida and Polifitou. Thus, there is an urgent need for deeper investigations to unveil the leading cause of the disease outbreak in order to design and propose proper management measurements