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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Cited by
Sorted by citations
Nature and mental health: An ecosystem service perspective
Bratman, G. N., Anderson, C. B., Berman, M. G., Cochran, B., de Vries, S., Flanders, J., Folke, C., Frumkin, H., Gross, J. J., Hartig, T., et al. (2019) · Science Advances · doi:10.1126/sciadv.aax0903 · Cited by 2,001
Self-citationNature Contact and Human Health: A Research Agenda
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Pathways linking biodiversity to human health: A conceptual framework
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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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