Abstract:

This research aimed to investigate the pre-service science teachers' awareness towards biodiversity (biological diversity). The research conducted with screening model was carried out in the spring term of 2019-2020 with the voluntary participation of 57 pre-service teachers studying in the fourth grade of Science Education at a state university. The awareness form prepared by the researchers was used as a data collection tool. Pre-service teachers were asked to write whether they are members of an environmental organization, the name of the environmental organization they are a member of in case they become a member, the definition of biodiversity, the living creatures within the scope of biodiversity, the factors affecting biodiversity positively and negatively, and the benefits of biodiversity with 6 questions in this form. The data obtained were analyzed by using content analysis. As a result of the research, it was found that pre-service teachers' awareness towards biodiversity was not sufficient. Pre-service teachers defined biodiversity by considering species, genetics, ecosystem and ecological function diversity, and they expressed all living things in the concept of biodiversity as all living things and plants and animals. They addressed the factors affecting biodiversity positively and negatively in terms of biological, physical and paleogeographic terms. Besides, they stated the benefits of biodiversity in terms of ecology and environmental health, food and gene resources, economics, medicine and pharmacy. It was observed that more than half of the pre-service teachers were not members of an environmental organization. It was considered that this situation can be effective on the lack of awareness of pre-service science teachers towards biodiversity.

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