Susana Rams

Microscopes are instruments usually associated with the field of Science Education. Unfortunately, despite their great potential for education, their use at school is not generalised. This implies fewer opportunities for students to understand the microscopic world, thus affecting the quality of their Environmental Education. In the present systematic literature review, proposals for Primary and Secondary (6–18 years) microscopy education are analysed, as well as their relation to the promotion of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It has been carried out in the databases Web of Science and Scopus, followed by a content analysis of 82 journal articles. The main results show that non-formal educational contexts pay more attention to the relation between school microscopy and the SDGs than the formal ones, and, within these, basic education is the least represented in comparison to middle and high levels. Optical microscopes are the most used in relation to SDGs, in contrast to electron microscopes, while new digital, virtual and remote-controlled models are also mentioned. Within the Science and Technology fields associated with SDGs through school microscopy, ‘Life Sciences’ and ‘Technological Sciences’ stand out, and these fields are particularly varied in the case of SDG4 (Quality Education) and SDG3 (Good health and well-being). In conclusion, microscopes play a diverse and conspicuous role in promoting SDGs in school contexts at an international level, and their use should be encouraged in Environmental Education formal and non-formal Primary and Secondary Education.

Educational studies regarding vocational teaching and learning in microscopy are scarce and not very representative. The aim of this research is to analyse some of the strategies used by students of the Higher Diploma in Pathological Anatomy and Cytopathology and Higher Diploma in Clinical and Biomedical Laboratory when practising with microscopy instruments. The study consisted of a questionnaire survey of 176 students from two schools in Malaga (Spain). The analysis focused on items related to microscopy data collection habits and self-perceived learning outcomes. The results show that students place a high value on microscopy practicum, but found that they frequently prefer to take photographs with their mobile phones instead of making direct observations with the microscope.

Biological soil crusts (biocrusts) are a key component of dryland ecosystems worldwide. However, large extensions of biocrusts are disturbed by human activities, gypsum quarry being an outstanding example. Restoration techniques applied have offered satisfactory results for vascular plants but they could greatly differ in promoting biocrust recovery. A basic question remains unaddressed: can measures for plant recovery accelerate or promote the recovery of biological crusts? We have examined eight different situations: undisturbed natural habitat, five treatments with no restoration measures (overgrazed area, abandoned quarry, topsoil removal from natural habitat, and two areas filled with gypsum mining spoil), and 2 areas receiving restoration measures (manual sowing and hydroseeding). We took 40 soil cores to determine cover of lichen, moss, and cyanobacteria. Biocrust richness and cover were higher in the undisturbed habitat, with remarkable differences for the different components among treatments. Cyanobacteria were well represented in all the cores (restored and non‐restored). Mosses were promoted the most by hydroseeding. Lichen cover was remarkably higher in undisturbed samples, very low in the quarry abandoned in 1992, and 0 in the rest. Complete spontaneous recovery of biocrusts was inefficient in the 25‐year period examined. Plant restoration measures could speed up its recovery comparing with non‐restored areas. Cyanobacteria and mosses can spontaneously recover fairly well. However, promoting them would accelerate the appearance of lichen. For lichen, inoculation or translocation of lichen thalli might be proposed. Therefore, our results call for the inclusion of active restoration measures of biocrust components in recovery plans, especially for lichens.

Pseudotaxiphyllum laetevirens ha sido hallado en una localidad de la provincia de Granada (Parque Nacional de Sierra Nevada), por lo que se amplía su distribución conocida en España, que se restringía a la provincia de Cádiz (Parque Natural de Los Alcornocales). Se discuten sus diferencias morfológicas con relación a dos especies próximas, P. elegans e Isopterygiopsis pulchella y se aportan nuevos datos para la reevaluación de su categoría de amenaza UICN en España. The finding of Pseudotaxiphyllum laetevirens in one locality from the province of Granada (Sierra Nevada National Park) extends its known distribution in Spain, which was restricted to the province of Cadiz (Los Alcornocales Natural Park). Its morphological differences with two closely related taxa, P. elegans and Isopterygiopsis pulchella, are discussed and new data are provided for the re-evaluation of its IUCN threat category in Spain.

Bryophytes collected at La Gomera (Canary Islands) in three mountain areas, Agando, Carmona and the Zarcita volcanic domes in the Garajonay National Park, Fortaleza de Chipude and Enchereda, are documented. The list contributes 93 mosses, 49 liverworts and 2 hornworts. Two new records are contributed to the Canary Islands (Acaulon mediterraneum and Orthotrichum alpestre), and 3 specifically to the island of La Gomera (O. acuminatum, O. affine and Tortella limbata). Finally, new localities were discovered for some interesting bryophytes in the Canaries such as Archidium alternifolium, Campylostelium strictum, Fissidens dubius and F. exilis. Se presenta la lista de especies de briófitos recolectados en La Gomera (Islas Canarias) en tres áreas montañosas: los domos volcánicos de Agando, Carmona y Zarcita, en el Parque Nacional de Garajonay, La Fortaleza de Chipude y Enchereda. Las recolecciones incluyen 93 musgos, 49 hepáticas y 2 antocerotas. Se aportan dos nuevas citas para las Islas Canarias (Acaulon mediterraneum y Orthotrichum alpestre) y tres para La Gomera (O. acuminatum, O. affine y Tortella limbata). Finalmente, se citan además nuevas localidades para algunos briófitos interesantes en este archipiélago, como Archidium alternifolium, Campylostelium strictum, Fissidens dubius y F. exilis.