Knowledge and perception of common local wild plant and animal species by children and their teachers – a case study from Switzerland

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study asked 241 primary children and their 13 teachers in the Canton of Berne, Switzerland, to identify 136 local plant and animal species, which were shown to them as pictures. Children's age, gender, and experiences with nature were recorded to test for associations with species knowledge. Teachers identified 52% of the plants and 61% of the animals, while their pupils only knew 17% and 41% of the species, respectively (class means). Plants with bright flowers like dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), edible fruits like strawberry (Fragaria vesca) or harmful ones like stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) were most identified correctly. Among the animals, charismatic mammals such as fox (Vulpes vulpes) and hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus), but also insects like bumblebees (Bombus terrestris) were best known. However, many common bird species such as chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs) were largely unknown. Boys identified more animal species correctly than did girls. Contact with living beings, a green environment and support by family members fostered species knowledge of children, while their school education was rather insignificant.