TY - JOUR
T1 - Biodiversity of urban green spaces and human health
T2 - a systematic review of recent research
AU - Wu, Chia Ching
AU - O’Keefe, Joy
AU - Ding, Yizhen
AU - Sullivan, William C.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2024 Wu, O’Keefe, Ding and Sullivan.
PY - 2024
Y1 - 2024
N2 - Although recent studies have explored links between landscape biodiversity and human health, the exact effects of specific types of biodiversity—such as the variety of species or genera—on health outcomes are still uncertain. In this review, we evaluate our current knowledge of how landscape biodiversity influences human health in different cultural contexts. We systematically assessed peer-reviewed literature to: 1) summarize the links between biodiversity variability and human health outcomes; 2) describe the pathways used to examine these links; 3) compare subjective perceptions of biodiversity with objective measures; and 4) describe any known connections between perceived biodiversity and health outcomes. We analyzed 41 studies published between 2018 and 2023, covering research from 15 countries on five continents. A key finding was the lack of significant links between biodiversity variability, like species richness, and health outcomes; only one-third of studies reported positive health effects. We identified two main pathways: restoring health capacities (mental health) and building health capacities (physical health). The public could identify different biodiversity levels, with perceived biodiversity correlating with health. Future research should explore varied mechanisms, physical health outcomes, causal relationships, and effects across diverse populations and regions.
AB - Although recent studies have explored links between landscape biodiversity and human health, the exact effects of specific types of biodiversity—such as the variety of species or genera—on health outcomes are still uncertain. In this review, we evaluate our current knowledge of how landscape biodiversity influences human health in different cultural contexts. We systematically assessed peer-reviewed literature to: 1) summarize the links between biodiversity variability and human health outcomes; 2) describe the pathways used to examine these links; 3) compare subjective perceptions of biodiversity with objective measures; and 4) describe any known connections between perceived biodiversity and health outcomes. We analyzed 41 studies published between 2018 and 2023, covering research from 15 countries on five continents. A key finding was the lack of significant links between biodiversity variability, like species richness, and health outcomes; only one-third of studies reported positive health effects. We identified two main pathways: restoring health capacities (mental health) and building health capacities (physical health). The public could identify different biodiversity levels, with perceived biodiversity correlating with health. Future research should explore varied mechanisms, physical health outcomes, causal relationships, and effects across diverse populations and regions.
KW - health and well-being
KW - perceptions of urban green space
KW - species richness
KW - urban biodiversity
KW - urban nature exposure
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U2 - 10.3389/fevo.2024.1467568
DO - 10.3389/fevo.2024.1467568
M3 - Review article
AN - SCOPUS:85211195560
SN - 2296-701X
VL - 12
JO - Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution
JF - Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution
M1 - 1467568
ER -