Além das brânquias: a produção de uma cartilha sobre rios, peixes e ameaças antrópicas para o ensino fundamental sobre educação ambiental

Abstract

Intermittent rivers, which are predominant in the Brazilian semi-arid region, perform essential ecological and socioeconomic functions, yet they are often neglected in traditional teaching materials. This study aimed to develop an illustrated educational booklet on the ichthyological biodiversity of a section of the Cruxati River in Itapipoca-CE, targeting high school students. The methodology involved selecting fish species based on their ecological, economic, and cultural relevance, preparing adapted descriptions from specialized literature, and using photographs as visual resources to represent local biodiversity. The booklet was structured with accessible language, contextualized with regional cultural references, and organized into sections ranging from the characterization of intermittent rivers to detailed species descriptions, including references. The results demonstrate that the booklet serves as a complementary teaching material capable of filling gaps left by conventional textbooks, promoting critical and contextualized environmental education. It is concluded that the production of educational materials such as this is essential for valuing intermittent rivers, raising awareness about their importance, and strengthening the bond between society and the environment in the semi-arid region.