Død ved i skogen–en biologisk nødvendighet

Studier viser at miljøødeleggelsene tiltar i styrke og omfang, og lite har skjedd i å endre holdningene i retning av handlingsrettet bærekraftig utvikling, til tross for at økopedagogikken satte spørsmålet på dagsordenen for mer enn 40 år siden. Handlinger kan føre til endrede holdninger, som er en viktig forutsetning for framtidig forvaltning av skogens økosystemer, både i diskusjonen om klima og bevaring av biodiversitet.

Awareness-raising work in school goes too slowly. The principal documents of the school emphasize that man is a part of nature, and that our actions have consequences and can be devastating to ourselves, our fellow human beings and the rest of nature. Dead wood in forests is a fundamental part of nature’s cycle, but is not mentioned in curricula and relevant documents. Thus, there is a great possibility that teachers and students remain unfamiliar with dead wood, both as a concept and as a contextual experience. The goal of education for sustainable development is to create a more comprehensive knowledge of ecosystems and our project on forest ecology and species knowledge naturally fits into such a goal. It creates action competence through the participants' own experiences. Actions can lead to changed attitudes, which are an important prerequisite for future management of forest ecosystems, both in the discussion of climate and biodiversity conservation.