The Effect of Biodiversity on Green Space Users’ Wellbeing—An Empirical Investigation Using Physiological Evidence

Abstract

Abstract:Promoting ecological health and human wellbeing are two fundamental goals in landscape sustainability. Green spaces are thought to improve users' psychological and physical wellbeing through the contact with nature. However, the results of some studies that rely on self-reports suggest that when the level of naturalness in a green space reaches a certain point, the beneficial effects diminish and in some cases can cause negative responses. We explored this possibility through an experimental study in which we use physiological measures rather than perceptions to assess people's wellbeing. We investigate how people are affected by outdoor settings with varying degrees of biodiversity and whether the correlation between biodiversity and physiological wellbeing is negative or positive. We used multiple measures of insect diversity as an indicator for biodiversity, and biofeedback measures as indicators of wellbeing. Our findings suggest that people are equally affected by more biodiverse and less biodiverse settings. Physiological responses remain largely unchanged when biodiversity increases. This suggests that settings rich in biodiversity will not negatively influence people's physiological wellbeing, and designers and city planners should not hesitate to use ecological best practices in their designs.

Perceived health benefits of managed and unmanaged meadows in a mountain biosphere reserve – an experimental study in the Austrian Alps

“…Previous research found positive, negative or no relationships between actual or perceived biodiversity and psychological and physiological health measures (Carrus et al 2015;Chang et al 2016;Dallimer et al 2012;Fuller et al 2007;Johannsson et al 2014;Lovell et al 2014;Marselle et al 2015). Although participants of this study reported differences in perceived biodiversity, they assigned both meadows the same health benefits.…”

Green Infrastructure, Green Stormwater Infrastructure, and Human Health: A Review

“…Other studies showed the short-term effects of GI exposure through experimental settings. These studies reported that viewing a video of GI is associated with higher systolic blood pressure within a healthy range, an indicator that the participants are invigorated [18], and with a steadier heart rate [11][12][13]. One study found that participants returned to their neutral blood pressure faster after a stressful experience if they watched a video of grasslands and trees beforehand [14].…”

“…One study reported that biodiverse landscapes can reduce stress in the same way that conventional landscapes do, and thus it does no harm to create landscapes with biodiversity [12]. Two studies have shown a relationship between higher biodiversity and preference.…”

“…An experimental study exploring the nature of plantings found that redesigning urban vacant lots to include organized components, such as trees and mowed grass instead of weeds, reduced crime rates [49]. A study in Germany investigated differences in the perceptions of urban vacant spaces by landscape planners and laypeople and reported that both groups liked species richness; however, laypeople preferred formal More preferred [82][83][84][85] Perceived as restorative [84] Other Steadier heartbeat [12] More preferred [86,87] Higher happiness index [88] GSI Green Stormwater Infrastructure parks with well-trimmed plants and geometrical designs while landscape planners prefer more natural-looking areas. However, laypeople were willing to visit vacant lots with wild-looking vegetation if maintenance and accessibility is provided [87].…”

“…We know, from this review, that biodiverse landscapes are more preferred than conventional landscape. However, only one study shows that a biodiverse landscape can impact stress recovery (but in no different capacity than conventional landscapes) [12]. Can we reap direct health benefits from more ecologically healthy environments, and, if so, to what extent?…”