Alluvial soils - a stream into soil awareness

Abstract

Alluvial soils cover about 5% territory of Poland and they are an important part of the environment of fl oodplains and river valleys. These soils have long been studied by soil scientists around the world. The high school students also have a relatively high knowledge of them in comparison with other soil types. Information about them is readily available in textbooks and on the internet. Is this enough to make alluvial soils the driving force behind efforts to popularize soil science? The aim of this paper is to diagnose the state of knowledge about these soils among high school students of Kuyavian-Pomeranian region as well as the assessment of their suitability in the soil awareness raising. Querying geography textbooks and internet sources as well as a survey method were used as the main research methods. Information on alluvial soils is commonly found in geography textbooks and websites. The awareness of soil distribution within Kuyavian-Pomeranian voivodship is the highest for alluvial soils among all studied types of soils. Respondents correctly assess the value of these soils and can identify ways to increase soil awareness among the public. Among the respondents there is a conviction that there is a need for changes in soil science education, especially in the fi eld of extracurricular activities. Suggestions for such activities are included in this publication. The Year of Alluvial Soils is a good opportunity to introduce new solutions in the popularization of soil science on a regional and national scale.