Assessing the Impact of Social and Ecological Change during COVID-19 in Natural Areas Through the Subjective Well-Being and Place Attachment of Natural Area Users

Abstract

The devastating impact of COVID-19 on the mental health and well-being of individuals has led researchers to increasingly consider the importance of people-place interactions as drivers of positive mental health. This study explores people-place relationships with natural areas through the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on subjective well-being and place attachment. The study was conducted in a system of natural areas in the Niagara Region, Ontario. Through completion of self-report questionnaires, natural area users identified changes they observed in the natural areas over the COVID-19 pandemic and reported their self-perceived impact of these changes. Findings emphasize the importance of managing social and ecological changes in natural areas to preserve ecological health and user benefits.