«Learning by doing” – Georgian schools investigated marine litter and biodiversity

How do we understand what kind of garbage dominates at the beach and if it affects marine biodiversity? This was the question, that participants of three schools in Batumi (No. 22, No. 14 and Gorda) answered during the Clean Beach campaign.

It started on the 30^th of September when kids not only collected the garbage but also analyzed it, filling out a special protocol on marine litter. Besides, they assessed the state of the biodiversity, competing of the protocol for the biodiversity of mollusks and algae found in a specially designated section of the beach (100 m.). In total, 30 participants took part in the event.  a “clean beaches” campaign was carried out and, in parallel with the assessment of marine litter on the Grigoleti beach, an assessment of the biodiversity of molluscs was carried out.

Further, the schools got homework to make marine litter and biodiversity assessments by themselves. They had to organize their own action in Batumi, taking into account the fact that the beach there is subject to anthropogenic impact, which will enable children to assess the difference in the biodiversity of molluscs between the impact zones and the favourable ecological zones of the sea, as well as to assess the importance of indicator mollusks.

So far, individual assignments have been completed and presented by Schools No. 22, No. 14, and the Gorda school will present them next week. Kids were excited to get a real tool to assess marine litter and biodiversity and to learn something new about our Black Sea.