Doses of Neighborhood Nature: The Benefits for Mental Health of Living with Nature

Cox, Daniel T. C.; Shanahan, Danielle F.; Hudson, Hannah L.; Plummer, Kate E.; Siriwardena, G.; Fuller, Richard A.; Anderson, Karen; Hancock, Steven; Gaston, Kevin J.

doi:10.1093/biosci/biw173

Cited by 223 publications

(274 citation statements)

References 55 publications

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“…The ESRI GIS-tool, ArcMap 10.2 [36], was used to characterize participants’ residential environments by creating a variable 500 m-to-5 km specific buffer zone around each individual’s residence (coordinate points, as the crow flies). These size buffers have been used in similar studies involving everyday environments [37,38] and nearby nature, which has been critical for providing health benefits for subjective well-being [39]. …”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physical Activity, Residential Environment, and Nature Relatedness in Young Men—A Population-Based MOPO Study

Puhakka

Pyky

Lankila

et al. 2018

IJERPH

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Background: In general, nature relatedness is positively associated with physical activity, health, and subjective well-being. However, increased residence in urban areas, and the decrease in natural spaces, may affect the younger generation most adversely. The associated environmental changes can increase youths’ risk of spending most of their time indoors, and weaken their nature relatedness, making them less likely to enjoy nature’s health benefits. This is a serious public health issue, since inadequate physical activity, combined with minimum time spent in green space, can affect health across the whole lifespan. Thus, to develop effective interventions for physical activation and promote health and well-being among young men, further knowledge of the determinants of their nature relatedness is necessary. Aims: To explore factors related to nature relatedness, including physical activity, physical activity with parents, and residential environment. Methods: The study population consisted of all 914 young men (mean—17.8 years; SD—0.5) who participated in mandatory call-ups for military service and completed the study questionnaire in 2013. The questionnaire inquired about their nature relatedness, demographic characteristics, socioeconomic status, physical activity, health, and subjective well-being. A geographic information system (GIS) was used to assess the features of their residential environments. Multivariable linear regression was used to analyze the data. Results: Physical activity (p = 0.021) and physical activity with parents at primary school age (p = 0.007), and currently (p = 0.001) as well as good self-rated health (p = 0.001), and father’s higher socioeconomic status (p = 0.041), were positively connected to nature relatedness. Conclusions: Physical activity in general, physical activity with parents, and nature relatedness were positively related. This knowledge can be utilized in promoting physical activity and health among young men.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physical Activity, Residential Environment, and Nature Relatedness in Young Men—A Population-Based MOPO Study

Puhakka

Pyky

Lankila

et al. 2018

IJERPH

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“…Many authors have argued for and/or documented a positive relationship between biodiversity and human wellbeing, a connection that is particularly strong in the case of biotic diversity associated with urban greenspaces [13][14][15]48]. Access to information about native biodiversity is essential to maintain this positive attitude.…”

Section: Biodiversity and Human Wellbeingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biocultural Homogenization in Urban Settings: Public Knowledge of Birds in City Parks of Santiago, Chile

et al. 2017

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An understudied consequence of growing urbanization is the rapid and concurrent loss of native biological and cultural diversity. Here, we measured the concordance between avian species richness in public green areas of the city of Santiago, Chile, and the corresponding knowledge of local citizens of this avian diversity. To assess this correspondence, we sampled avian species richness in 10 representative city parks and surveyed the awareness of avian diversity by park visitors as well as their ability to identify bird species. We found no significant relationship between estimated bird diversity from field sampling and their perception by park visitors, suggesting that visitors underestimate avian diversity in city parks because they perceive only a small fraction of the overall diversity, with their awareness especially biased towards the most abundant species. Exotic bird species comprise the majority of the latter group. This result was observed regardless of whether the city park had high or low bird diversity. Public knowledge of birds did not relate to the species richness present at city parks, and was strongly biased towards the most abundant, widely distributed, and primarily exotic species. This result agrees with the biocultural homogenization hypothesis, documenting the role of urban areas in this global process.

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“…Cameron et al [38] specify these aspects by presenting ecosystem functions. Several studies underline the value of urban nature for public health [39][40][41][42][43][44].…”

Section: Aesthetics and Perception Of Urban Green Spacesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Urban Nature: Perception and Acceptance of Alternative Green Space Management and the Change of Awareness after Provision of Environmental Information. A Chance for Biodiversity Protection

2017

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Measurable ecological data, e.g., species diversity, provide inadequate information for achieving the comprehensive protection of biodiversity, because human acceptance attitudes can be important factors in undermining nature protection schemes. We have analysed an ecologically driven urban management system presented to urban habitants. A photograph-based survey answered by 424 participants was used to evaluate their impressions of natural meadows. The positive effect of provided information tables was demonstrated by pre-and post-test designs. Attitudes towards urban nature protection showed a statistical preference for green-area management systems optimising insect protection compared with more regularly mowed meadows and lawns. Thus, the perceptions of people should be considered in processes of biodiversity protection. Our results correlate with personal attitude and education, support the aims of extensive green-space management and should encourage urban planners to integrate biodiversity protection zones into urban planning.

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Doses of Neighborhood Nature: The Benefits for Mental Health of Living with Nature

Abstract: is a research ecologist and research fellow, and Gavin M. 15 Siriwardena is the head of terrestrial ecology and principle ecologist for the British 16

Cited by 223 publications

References 55 publications

Physical Activity, Residential Environment, and Nature Relatedness in Young Men—A Population-Based MOPO Study

Physical Activity, Residential Environment, and Nature Relatedness in Young Men—A Population-Based MOPO Study

Biocultural Homogenization in Urban Settings: Public Knowledge of Birds in City Parks of Santiago, Chile

Urban Nature: Perception and Acceptance of Alternative Green Space Management and the Change of Awareness after Provision of Environmental Information. A Chance for Biodiversity Protection

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