TRILHAS ECOLÓGICAS INTERPRETATIVAS COMO FERRAMENTA DE EDUCAÇÃO AMBIENTAL NO ENSINO BÁSICO: LEVANTAMENTO DE PRODUÇÕES ACADÊMICAS BRASILEIRAS

Abstract

This study aimed to identify and analyze Brazilian academic works that address the use of interpretive ecological trails as a tool for Environmental Education in basic education. The research, of an exploratory and descriptive nature, involved a survey of the CAPES Theses and Dissertations Database, focusing on works published between 2000 and 2024. After applying inclusion criteria, 12 master's dissertations were selected that explored the pedagogical use of ecological trails in basic education. No doctoral theses were included in the analysis, highlighting a gap in academic production at more advanced levels of study and suggesting the need for further research on the subject. Overall, the results indicate that the authors recognize interpretive ecological trails as effective pedagogical strategies for promoting Environmental Education, contributing to student awareness and engagement. Despite the growing academic interest in recent years, the still limited number of studies points to the potential for expanding this approach, particularly in terms of consolidating trails as a didactic resource in school settings. In this context, the data reveal a gradual process of integrating interpretive trails into educational practices focused on sustainability, reinforcing both their pedagogical relevance and the need for greater investment in research exploring this theme at different levels of academic training.