Understanding of 2nd and 3rd year High School students about soil degradation

Abstract

This study analyzed the perception of 2nd and 3rd-year high school students regarding soil degradation, focusing on three educational institutions located in urban and rural areas of the municipalities of Lages and Capão Alto, in Santa Catarina,Brazil. The research was conducted through an online questionnaire, answered by 122 students, and approved by the ethics committee. The methodological approach involved a quantitative analysis of objective responses and content analysis of discursive responses. The data revealed that 62.3% of participants perceive soil degradation in the environment where they live. The highest frequency of this perception was recorded at school A (urban), followed by schools B (urban) and C (rural). Regarding the understanding of sustainable agricultural practices, most students recognized the importance of crop rotation as a strategy to reduce environmental impacts, highlighting the differentiated use of nutrients by plants. The comparison of data showed variations related to school year and institution, suggesting the influence of educational and territorial context in shaping environmental awareness. The results point to the need to strengthen environmental education in schools, integrating content with students' local realities and contributing to the development of a critical and active environmental citizenship.