The DOI matches its Crossref record; 76 of the 76 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
A systematic review of the health and well-being benefits of biodiverse environments.
Open accessAbstract
Recent ecosystem service models have placed biodiversity as a central factor in the processes that link the natural environment to health. While it is recognized that disturbed ecosystems might negatively affect human well-being, it is not clear whether biodiversity is related to or can promote "good" human health and well-being. The aim of this study was to systematically identify, summarize, and synthesize research that had examined whether biodiverse environments are health promoting. The objectives were twofold: (1) to map the interdisciplinary field of enquiry and (2) to assess whether current evidence enables us to characterize the relationship. Due to the heterogeneity of available evidence a narrative synthesis approach was used, which is textual rather than statistical. Extensive searches identified 17 papers that met the inclusion criteria: 15 quantitative and 2 qualitative. The evidence was varied in disciplinary origin, with authors approaching the question using different study designs and methods, and conceptualizations of biodiversity, health, and well-being. There is some evidence to suggest that biodiverse natural environments promote better health through exposure to pleasant environments or the encouragement of health-promoting behaviors. There was also evidence of inverse relationships, particularly at a larger scale (global analyses). However, overall the evidence is inconclusive and fails to identify a specific role for biodiversity in the promotion of better health. High-quality interdisciplinary research is needed to produce a more reliable evidence base. Of particular importance is identifying the specific ecosystem services, goods, and processes through which biodiversity may generate good health and well-being.
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“The link between biodiversity of green spaces (however, measured) and psychological well-being remains unclear, and few studies have also attempted to incorporate an analysis of non-biological (site facilities) quality.”
From Not All Green Space Is Created Equal: Biodiversity Predicts Psychological Restorative Benefits From Urban Green Space (2018) · cites this paper as Lovell et al., 2014
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“However, research that has attempted to investigate the link between biodiversity in green spaces and psychological well-being has produced mixed results (Lovell et al., 2014).”
From Not All Green Space Is Created Equal: Biodiversity Predicts Psychological Restorative Benefits From Urban Green Space (2018) · cites this paper as Lovell et al., 2014
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Metadata
- Authors
- Lovell, R., Wheeler, B. W., Higgins, S. L., Irvine, K. N., & Depledge, M. H.
- Affiliations
- University of Exeter (GB)
- James Hutton Institute (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Lovell, Rebecca
- Venue
- Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part B
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2014-01-02
- Volume
- 17
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 1-20
- ISSN
- 1093-7404 (ISSN-L)
- 1521-6950
- OpenAlex
- W1997819511
- Cited by
- 221
- References
- 76
- Citations by year
- 2026: 13 · 2025: 19 · 2024: 18 · 2023: 21 · 2022: 21 · 2021: 29 · 2020: 14 · 2019: 30 · 2018: 16 · 2017: 13 · 2016: 13 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 5
- FWCI
- 1.38
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- hdl.handle.net
- Locations
- Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health Part B (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Open Research Exeter (University of Exeter) (submittedVersion)
- Figshare (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- University of Exeter
- European Regional Development Fund
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Urban Studies › Urban Green Space and Health
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Global and Planetary Change › Land Use and Ecosystem Services
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Nature and Landscape Conservation › Urban and spatial planning
- Keywords
- biodiversity, human health, well-being, ecosystem services, health-promoting behaviors, environmental exposure, ecosystem disturbance, interdisciplinary research
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Environmental Health, Humans, Public Health, Ecosystem, Biodiversity
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