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Description
Despite the considerable development of research on ecosystem services (ES), their application to the environmental management in Poland is still inhibited. The challenge is the adaptation of the existing knowledge for Polish conditions and the transposition of knowledge into an operational one. The needs involve the integration of developed scientific knowledge with the interest and competences of officials, as well as the increasing of skills of experts participating in the procedures of environmental management.
The project addresses the existing challenges by:
- The selection of relevant ecosystem services (ES) and their indicators for main ecosystem types in Poland
- Mapping and assessment of ES in national, regional and local scale
- Cross-cutting analysis of ecological, cultural and economic values of ES
- Identification of significant ES synergies and trade-offs and relevant ES bundles
- Dissemination and exchange of knowledge
The project aims to increase the scientific potential and the ability of administration and interested social groups to implement ecosystem services approach in environmental management. As such, the project will benefit scientists by increasing the scientific capacity, and administration interested social groups by developing awareness of the political, social and ecological potential of ES approach.
The Norwegian Institute for Nature Research is the project partner and will contribute to experience-sharing and training-related activities by preparing and presenting Norwegian experiences during the project kick-off meeting as well as during workshops devoted to individual ecosystem types. Moreover, the Project Partner will prepare comments on delivered maps of main ES values for individual ecosystem types. The Partner will also prepare and present the comparative study on state of the art in Norway and Poland after the project finalization.
Summary of project results
Why do we return to the Carpathians? Is it because the charm of the mountains has found a permanent place in our hearts? Certainly, but not only. As someone beautifully paraphrased Hemingway''s words, we see that no country is an isolated island - the dying of nature diminishes us, because we are inextricably linked to nature, being a part of it. Therefore, we cannot wait until our own actions destroy one of the few, so valuable areas, which are the Carpathians. The Carpathians are among the largest mountains in Europe, stretching in an arc, 1,500 km long, with an area of 210,000 km². They lie in seven countries. The Carpathians are a unique ecosystem with exceptionally rich biodiversity. These mountains are home to almost one third of European vascular plant species, including 220 endemics (species that do not grow outside the Carpathians). In addition, 44 percent of mammal species in Europe live in the Carpathians. One of the most important obstacles to effective nature conservation in the Carpathian region is the lack of knowledge and low awareness of local communities and local governments about the unique values of this area. The Carpathians have preserved an almost pristine (compared to other areas) landscape and nature. The relatively low population density, difficult access to mountainous areas and dense forest areas have resulted in the Carpathians remaining a haven for many species of animals not found anywhere else in Europe (i.e. brown bear, wolf, wildcat, chamois, marmot, golden eagle and lesser spotted eagle). The Carpathians are an attractive tourist area of international importance, as evidenced by statistics - it is estimated that the Polish section of the Carpathians alone is visited by about 4 million tourists per year. This area is therefore exposed (apart from the consequences associated with the intensification of settlement) to strong anthropogenic tourist pressure, which results in the development of appropriate infrastructure, including a network of roads and motorways of international importance. The need for special protection of the environment of this region has been recognized by the countries Carpathian, which in 2003 signed the Framework Convention on the Protection and Sustainable Development of the Carpathians (Carpathian Convention). The provisions of Article 4, concerning the protection of biological and landscape diversity, are specified in the Protocol on the Protection and Sustainable Use of Biological and Landscape Diversity to the Carpathian Convention, adopted and ratified by Poland. By ratifying the Convention and the Protocol, Poland committed itself, among other things, to educating residents and involving them in activities aimed at protecting biological and landscape diversity. The implementation of the “World of the Carpathians” project may be the fulfilment of this commitment. Natural resources contribute in many ways to the development of human culture and civilisation. Biological diversity provides goods and services that people need to live, but also plays a fundamental role in the functioning of ecosystems. Mountain areas abound in exceptional biological diversity. Biodiversity has never been so threatened by the consumption of organic resources and pressures such as land use, pollution (air, water and soil contamination), and climate change driven by human activity. In accordance with Article 24 of the Protocol on the Protection and Sustainable Use of Biological and Landscape Diversity to the Framework Convention on the Protection and Sustainable Development of the Carpathians, done in Kyiv on 22 May 2003, the Parties (including Poland) should support education, information and raising public awareness of the objectives, measures and implementation of this Protocol. The project "The World of the Carpathians. Comprehensive education in the field of nature conservation of the Carpathian region" implements the above call by implementing activities aimed at local and regional target groups (teachers, local governments, nature conservation services, non-governmental organizations, children and youth) in order to increase their awareness, understanding and active protection of Carpathian biodiversity and to involve various entities in its protection. The project is also part of the Biodiversity Protection and Sustainable Use Programme, together with the Action Plan for 2015–2020 (adopted by the Council of Ministers on 6 November 2015). It implements specific objective A: Raising the level of knowledge and increasing public activity in the field of activities for the protection of biodiversity, task 11 "Implementation of educational programmes and campaigns addressed to the public in order to raise awareness of the objectives related to biodiversity. At the same time, it supports the need for continuous implementation of activities to raise public awareness of the benefits of biodiversity. It supports education at the grassroots level (in schools), and is a targeted and comprehensive awareness-raising campaign, taking into account broad activities for the development of ecological awareness of the Carpathian society and proposes specific forms of education, implementing the content of education for sustainable development. The implementation of the project contribute to expanding knowledge about the natural heritage of the Carpathians. Local communities living in the region of southern Poland very often do not have knowledge about the forms of nature protection, habitats and species inhabiting the Carpathians. Searching for information on the natural heritage of the Carpathians is laborious and requires a lot of time, commitment and searching through many sources. Therefore, there is a need to make the resources available. The resources provided is be a database of detailed information on the natural values of the Carpathian region for local communities, educators, teachers, pupils, students, tourists, nature lovers and all other people interested in this topic. There is a real the need to popularize knowledge about the natural environment among residents and tourists visiting the region. With the help of e-guidebooks (modern educational tools, friendly to the environment described in activity no. 2: the online version of the textbook " World of the Carpathians ", the online version of scenarios and exercises, the online version of auxiliary sheets for lessons and extracurricular activities, a species lexicon, interactive educational tools and the online game "Mr. Żubr in person") and a large knowledge base available through the " World of the Carpathians " internet portal, we reached every recipient who is looking for data on Carpathian nature. The policy of provincial, district and municipal authorities so far has been focused only on promoting natural resources within their borders. Similar practices are also noticeable in environmental education programs used by teams and boards of landscape parks, national parks and forest districts and Promotional Forest Complexes. Comprehensive and innovative environmental education addressed to a wide group of recipients is contribute to the protection of the natural resources of the Carpathians and their sustainable development in accordance with the provisions of the Carpathian Convention.
Action No. 1. "World of the Carpathians" textbook
As part of the project, the "World of the Carpathians" textbook was translated and published in Polish of 1200 copies.
It is dedicated to teachers, students (future teachers) and educators of the latter from the broadly understood nature conservation. The basis for the justification of the use of the Carpathians'' biological diversity, their protection and the impact on humans on the degradation of nature and landscape.
In the development of the textbook marked with the participation of forty authors and reviewers from all the Carpathian countries (Czech Republic, Poland, Serbia, Slovakia, Romania, Ukraine and Hungary). Each author is a specialist in a specific context and included in the textbook expert experience. In this way, a textbook with very useful substantive features was created, which provides access to the mosaic of life in the Carpathians.
Educational goals achieved through the publication of the textbook
The textbook was developed using the habitat approach. Within the main Carpathian habitats (forests, meadows, water bodies and wetlands, habitats of extremes), users of the textbook is learn about the main groups of organisms (vascular plants, bryophytes, lichens, fungi, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, invertebrates). Over 1400 species have been presented in the textbook in illustrations / drawings - which significantly increases the educational value of the textbook.
The proposed lesson plans focus on interactive forms and methods of teaching, group work, learning through games, interesting scenarios and exercises. All this in order to increase the motivation and involvement of students. Necessary sheets have been developed for the scenarios, which substantively enrich the work with students.
Fragments of the textbook, containing the so-called Identification Circles and information about characteristic species of trees, mushrooms, lichens was printed in full color. The remaining content of the textbook was printed in one color, which is facilitate multiple duplication of the sheets.
Action no. 2. " World of the Carpathians " website with interactive tools
Role of the website
The " World of the Carpathians " website is intended to increase the accessibility of the " World of the Carpathians " textbook for all interested teachers, educators, non-governmental organizations, nature conservation services, local governments, residents and others. Providing the content in online form is cheaper than printing the edition for all potentially interested parties. The website contain the entire textbook, scenarios and sheets for downloading and printing. The website is a source of knowledge on issues related to sustainable development, in particular proper management in Natura 2000 areas.
Additionally, interactive educational tools for children and youth are placed on the website. This is increase the attractiveness of both the website itself and allow for broad ecological education on the subject of protecting the Carpathian nature.
Planned substantive content of the website " World of the Carpathians "
1. Online version of the textbook
The entire textbook is available in an online version. Additionally, it is be possible to print it or save it in a non-editable PDF file. A lexicon of genres is appropriately linked to the lesson.
2. Online version of lesson and exercise scenarios.
Teachers and other interested parties have access to an interactive database of scenarios and exercises. An advanced search engine is provided, helping users quickly select the appropriate scenario. A lexicon of genres is appropriately linked to the scenarios.
3. Online version of auxiliary sheets for lessons and extracurricular activities
The sheets are able to be printed. A lexicon of genres are appropriately linked to the sheets (clicking on the link is open the genre description).
4. Species lexicon
The lexicon is contain all species of plants and animals that have been described in the textbook "The World of the Carpathians (approx. 250). In addition, 50 species characteristic of Poland are described in more detail (interesting facts, photographs, place of occurrence).
5. Interactive educational tools
15 exercises are developed and implemented in the form of interactive educational tools. They are constitute an attractive form of education for children and young people, which directly raise their level of knowledge and awareness of the relationships in the mountain ecosystem and individual species.
Their use were twofold:
- All users was be able to use them.
- Teachers can make lessons more attractive, which, instead of in the classroom, they can implement according to the scenario in the computer lab.
- Teachers and caregivers working, for example, in community centers can use them to conduct extracurricular activities.
6. Knowledge base
We invited nature and biodiversity specialists to develop specialist articles supplementing the “World of the Carpathians” Manual with new, interesting content. Thanks to the Knowledge Bank, the website continued to be interesting and attractive, and teachers and other interested parties receive further information useful in their activities and professional work. The website is a source of knowledge on issues related to sustainable development, in particular proper management in areas of sensitive ecosystems.
7. Information bulletin
As part of the project, was a monthly information bulletin
Action no. 3. Training for teachers, educators and students "The World of the Carpathians - comprehensive education in the field of protection of ecosystems of the Carpathian region"
Theoretical and practical training "The World of the Carpathians - comprehensive education in the field of protection of ecosystems of the Carpathian region" for teachers, students (future teachers) and other educators.
Training objective
- Familiarizing participants with the methodology of education based on the “World of the Carpathians” textbook,
- Familiarizing participants with the substantive material, scenario proposals and teaching materials included in the “World of the Carpathians at” textbook,
- Informing teachers about the value of uniqueness, threats and protection of Carpathian biodiversity.
- Motivating and inspiring teachers to active and creative education.
- Educating on interactive and activating elements in the curriculum, based on the “World of the Carpathians” textbook.
Group to which the training is addressed
A minimum of 420 teachers, students (future teachers) and other educators. A series of two-day training sessions were organized in the Silesian, Lesser Poland and Podkarpackie.
Action no. 4. Competition for children and youth “Mr. Bison in person”
The competition aims to motivate children and youth to learn about protected species in the Carpathians. The competition was be held in two rounds. One round is one semester. The competition is based on the online game "Mr. Bison himself". The winner of the competition was the person who breeds a virtual bison the fastest. To do this, participants passed knowledge tests on selected species of protected plants and animals.
Action No. 5. Project promotion
The project was promoted through:
1. Sponsored articles in "Biology at schooland "Dyrektor Szkoła".
2. Promotion on industry portals.
3. Promotion in local and regional media.
4. Promotion on the websites of the Education Boards.
5. Sending invitations to participate in training;
6. Cyclic promotion by sending 18 electronic bulletins;
7. Implementation of the project''s website,
8. Positioning the website (15 months)
9. Purchase of project roll-ups
10. Promotion of the project during the "Nature Congress"
- Development, typesetting and printing of 1200 “World of the Carpathians” textbooks;
- Raising the level of knowledge of teachers, educators and teachers (future teachers) and students in the field of nature conservation in the Carpathians;
- Raising the level of knowledge of non-governmental organizations, the obligation to protect nature, local government in the field of nature conservation in the Carpathians;
- Raising the level of knowledge about the Carpathians, visitors and all those interested in the biodiversity of this region;
- Providing teachers with a comprehensive textbook with teaching aids that facilitates the implementation of the core curriculum, during classes and extracurricular activities.
- Implementation of a website, constituting a knowledge base for teachers, students, educators and pupils about the biodiversity of the Carpathians;
- Implementation of a website, constituting a knowledge base for non-governmental organizations, nature conservation services and non-governmental organizations;
- Implementation of a website, constituting a knowledge base for lovers of the Carpathians, tourists and all interested parties;
- Implementation of interactive educational tools that increase the attractiveness of education about protected species in the Carpathians;
- Implementation of an internet game to increase the level of knowledge about protected species in the Carpathians and their protection.
- Raising the level of knowledge of training participants in the field of protected species in the Carpathians and how to protect them;
- Increasing the competences of participants in the field of ecological education;
- Providing participants with a comprehensive “World of the Carpathians” Textbook along with teaching aids (55 scenarios, 108 sheets for conducting lessons and extracurricular activities);
- Training of at least 429 people during 28 training sessions;
- Changing the attitudes of 429 participants in the field of protecting ecosystems and biodiversity in the Carpathian region.
- Raising the level of knowledge about protected plant and animal species among 992 competition participants;
- Raising the level of knowledge about the protection of the Carpathian region;
- Strengthening pro-ecological attitudes among competition participants;
Measurable results
1. Article "Monitor Dyrektora Szkoły" (1 x 8000 circulation = 8000, September 2023)
2. Article "Życie Szkola" (1 x 10000 circulation = 10000, April 2023)
2. Article "Biology in school" (2 x 4000 circulation = 8000)
3. mailing to 5000 teachers, conducted by the publisher of the magazine "Biologia w szkole" (104 841)
6. recipients of the "Świat Karpat" textbook (1159 copies)
7. training participants (429 people)
8. competition participants (365 people)
9. visitors to the World of the Carpathians website + subpage " World of the Carpathians" (12 669 visitors)
10. participants of the "Mr. Żubr" game (992 people)
11. promotion during the congress of directors of public institutions (210 people)
12. recipients of information bulletins (18 bulletins = 28620 people)