College Students’ Knowledge and Perspective of Towards Biodiversity and its Conservation and Protection

Abstract

Rich biodiversity is one of the Philippines’ greatest assets. Unfortunately, there is a continuous decline in the diversity of flora and fauna across the world. This calls for the need to educate people, especially younger generations, to value and protect biodiversity and natural resources. The study aimed to assess the students’ extent of knowledge and identify their perspectives towards biodiversity and its protection and conservation. A total of 268 randomly selected students at Aurora State College of Technology Zabali Campus were involved in the study. Survey questionnaires were used to obtain data and information which were subjected to statistical tests. The students had a moderate knowledge level on biodiversity with a mean score of 6.65 out of 10 items (SD = 1.50). Their perspective on biodiversity was leaning toward its protection and conservation, with a mean score of 7.2 out of 10 items (SD = 1.29). Factors affecting the students’ knowledge were gender (p = .003) and academic department (p = 0.003). Females and those associated with the Department of Forestry and Environmental Sciences and Department of Industrial technology were found to have more knowledge than the others. Males, on the other hand, were found to have a more positive perspective towards biodiversity. Knowledge and perspective had a weak correlation with r = 0.39. Students were not well-aware, but were in support of the Philippines’ biodiversity-related laws, which could help shape their mindset and actions towards biodiversity conservation and protection. As an implication, the college administration must revisit the curricula of all degree programs and ensure that students from each degree program are environmentally educated, emphasizing biodiversity conservation.

Students’ Knowledge and Attitude towards Biodiversity Conservation

“…In terms of familiarity with biodiversity-related laws and policies, students needed to be more familiar. It is aligned with the results obtained by Coracero (2021) that among 15 biodiversity-related laws mentioned, only five were commonly known by the students. This result is alarming, but if most students support the government's efforts to safeguard and enhance the nation's biodiversity, the laws, policies, and programs created are worthwhile.…”

“…Sadly, the diversity of flora and fauna is continuously declining, and the Philippines is no exception. This situation highlights the necessity of educating people, particularly the younger generations, about the worth of and needs to safeguard natural resources and biodiversity (Coracero, 2021).…”