Knowledge of primary students about ecology of selected ecosystems

This diploma thesis deals with the conceptual knowledge of primary school pupils about field ecosystems. In the analyzed textbooks, ecological relations are represented only to a limited extent. They are not sufficiently explained or practiced during lessons. Test questions focus on a complex understanding of field ecosystem matters; they test the extent of understanding of relationships between organisms and their environment, between different organisms, and the extent to which field ecosystems are affected by human activity. Analysis results reflect the level of the pupils' knowledge regarding field ecosystem interrelations. Test questions designed by the author of the thesis examine fourth grade primary school pupils and their understanding of relationships between organisms and their environment, as well as relationships between different organisms. Results show that pupils understand relationships between organisms and their environment better than relationships between different organisms and the effects of human activity on field ecosystems. These differences are, however, not significant. In general, the research shows that fourth grade pupils do not understand field ecosystem relationships in an entirely correct way