PERCEPTION OF THE REEF ENVIRONMENTS OF BOA VIAGEM BEACH (RECIFE/PE) BY STUDENTS, TEACHERS, AND RESIDENTS

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study aimed to analyze the perception residents and students and teachers of schools neighboring Boa Viagem Beach, Recife, State of Pernambuco, had of reef environments with the purpose of subsidizing an environmental education project for visitors of that beach. Methods consisted in using forms, each with ten and nine questions respectively, for elementary and high school students and teachers of a public and a private school; semi-structured interviews (15 questions) were also carried out for beachfront residents. Most of the public school students were children or relatives of fishermen. Overall, students and teachers showed anthropocentric perceptions in relation to the reefs and the ecological importance of these environments were rarely mentioned; similar results were found for residents. Additionally, neither students nor teachers from the two schools had in-depth knowledge of reef environments. Among the residents interviewed, 40% stated that reefs have no importance and only 25% had constructed knowledge on corals. These results suggest the need for an educational campaign among the users of Boa Viagem Beach. Key words: Environmental Perception. Boa Viagem Beach. State of Pernambuco. Reef Environments. Environmental Education. Basic Education.