Do different vegetation types in green spaces affect human health? A comparison of summer and winter data

Abstract

Based on the perceptions of participants in winter and summer, the effects of different vegetation structures within landscapes (single-layer woodland, tree-shrub-grass composite woodlands, tree-grass composite woodland, and single-layer grassland) and concrete squares without plants were investigated, and the skin conductivity level (SCL) and environmental perception recovery score (PRS) associated with landscape types were calculated. The results indicated that: (1) The seasonal differences in landscape perception significantly affected participants' PRS but had no effect on their SCL scores; (2) Viewing and experiencing single-layer and tree-shrub-grass composite woodlands in summer and single-layer woodland in winter improved participants' environmental perceptions; (3) The restorative effects of the four plant communities (and concrete squares without plants) were ranked in the following order: single-layer woodland > tree-shrub-grass composite woodlands > single-layer grassland > tree-grass composite woodland and concrete squares without plants. These results indicate that seasonal experiences in the natural environment cannot be substituted for each other. Therefore, it is recommended that specific plant species be chosen carefully for landscapes based on seasonal differences. Evergreen single-layer woodland vegetation types should be considered for use in winter urban landscapes. These results provide a scientific basis for future evaluations of landscape perception and preferences.