2025/05/02 by Xylander, Willi, Glante, Frank · 1 voice
#Soil biodiversity #ecosystem services #education #multidisciplinary #transfer
paper · doi:10.25674/458
Understanding with regard to soil biodiversity and its ecological importance in society is low. This is to some extend a consequence of an “image problem” of soil, but also due to a lack of expertise among multipliers. Therefore, there is a need for targeted measures to inform multipliers on this topic, e.g. by inclusion in teachers' theoretical and practical curricula and the provision of materials for education. Extracurricular learning venues such as museums can bring the topic closer to broad sections of the population through exhibitions, but also through the use of immersive digital formats (such as virtual reality animations). Approaches to transdisciplinary communication through music, visual arts or handicrafts, but also teaching in interdisciplinary lessons at schools seem promising, but are only sporadically implemented in practice to date. Especially for children and adolescents, direct contact with soil animals is an inspiring experience that sensitises them to the topic. In the German media, there is some lack of awareness of the importance of soil organisms for the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems, too. It is the task of professional scientists and educational institutions to sensitise society as a whole to these issues.