African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems

African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems Vol.  1 (1) pp. 010-023, October, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Determination of Secondary school Students psychological structure and confusion in Ecological ideas through word affiliation test

*Cemal E.Livaneli, Ahmet V. Tarhan and Nese Veysel

Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Faculty of life Sciences, Anadolu University, Eskişehir.

E-mail: [email protected] 

Accepted 29 September, 2014

Abstract 

In this study, we determined cognitive structures and misconceptions about basic ecological concepts by using “word association” tests on secondary school students, age between 12-14 years. Eighty-nine students participated in this study. Before WAT was generated, basic ecological concepts that take place in the secondary science curriculum were determined. And then these concepts; “Environment”, “species”, “habitat”, “population”, “ecosystem”, “food chain”, “substance cycle”, “biological diversity”, “environmental pollution”, “global warming”, “acid rain” and “greenhouse effect” were determined as keywords. Also, students were asked to construct a related example sentence for each keyword. Analysis of data was done in four steps: Determination of the responses given for the keywords, calculation of the Relatedness Coefficient between the keywords, formation of concept web that put forward the relation for the given responses to keywords, and analysis of constructed sentences for each keyword. In conclusion, this study put forward that most of the students had weak cognitive structure about ecological concepts. The close relations among these concepts with each other could not be built in students' cognitive structure. Most of the students' responses were superficial knowledge acquired in daily life and contained many misconceptions. Although students were aware of environmental problems, they were deficient in scientific information about reasons and effects of these problems. This case shows that we are not sufficient in environmental education and training.

Key words: Cognitive structure, ecology, environmental education, misconception, word association test.

African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems Vol.  1 (1) pp. 001-009, October, 2014.  © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Long haul changes in soil-based environmental administrations at three locales in Ethiopia

*Azeb W. Haile, Mulatu V. Wogderess and Tesfaye Kidan

Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Faculty of life Sciences, Haramaya University, Dire Dawa

Email: [email protected] 

Accepted 08 September, 2014

Abstract 

Ethiopia faces land degradation as one of its major environmental problems. In response to the degradation, massive land rehabilitation and conservation activities have been undertaken since the mid-1970s. In spite of these efforts, the impacts of long-term land management have not been examined from soil-based ecological services perspective. This study assesses soil-based ecological services over the past 30 years at three sites (Gununo, Anjeni and Maybar) in the Ethiopian Highlands. The study used key informants, household questionnaires, group discussions, rankings and indicator-based assessments. Ecosystem assessment frameworks and past research documents were also reviewed. In all three sites, since the 1980s, despite some reduction in tree plant bio-diversity, soil-based ecological services have increased, while disservices decreased. Assessment showed increased services and reduced disserves more in the better-managed watersheds than in the less-managed watersheds. Increased soil-based ecosystem services were reflected in increased crop yield, plant cover, conserved area and reduced flood risk, vulnerability to drought and eroded area in all three sites. The descending rank order in achieving benefits from long-term land management is: Gununo > Maybar > Anjeni. The study recommends further assessment at larger scales and with a focus on soil nutrients in the areas.

Key words: Assessment, ecological service, soil, land management, Ethiopia.