By the time you’ve finished reading this text, at the least one species on our planet will probably be lost endlessly.
Humans depend on a wide selection of animals, plants and microorganisms for healthy living environments. Research has shown that the continuing decline in biodiversity – the range of life on Earth – is a threat to humanity’s existence. A study my colleagues and I conducted takes this information further. We have shown that biodiversity may play a critical role for people’s mental wellbeing.
Previous studies have demonstrated that contact with nature advantages mental wellbeing, especially for many who live in cities. For example, the danger of developing the 2 most prevalent mental disorders on the earth, depression and anxiety, is 71% lower in urban dwellers who live near green spaces. Most of those studies, nevertheless, haven’t considered the extent to which these advantages depend upon natural diversity.
To address this gap in research, we examined whether environments with a wealth of natural features, resembling trees, plants, waterways and wildlife, would bring greater mental health advantages than those with a smaller range of natural features.
Between April 2018 and September 2023, we gathered data through the Urban Mind appwhich measures user experience of urban and rural living. 1,998 people submitted 41,000 assessments of their environment and mental wellbeing throughout the day.
We found that green spaces with high natural diversity have more mental health advantages than those with low natural diversity. Participants attributed nearly 1 / 4 of this positive impact to natural diversity – and reported that the advantages can last for as much as eight hours.
Wilding and wellbeing
The results of our study suggest that the advantages of nature for mental wellbeing can maximised by protecting and promoting biodiversity in our natural environments. This means moving away from heavily curated pockets of greenery – resembling landscaped gardens and parks of mown grass, that are typically related to low biodiversity – towards spaces resembling wild meadows and waterways which give a more attractive habitat for a variety of plants and animals.
Our findings are consistent with other studies on the helpful impacts of diverse natural habitats for mental health. A recent survey of 15,000 households found that those that lived near natural areas wealthy in plant and bird species report lower rates of mental health issues – even after accounting for social and economic differences between participants.
Our study expands this evidence by showing that, to experience the mental health advantages of biodiversity, we shouldn’t have to live near a various green space over an extended time frame. In fact, advantages may be experienced through each day transient incidental encounters with biodiverse nature.
Stimulation for the senses
There are some ways that nature, particularly biodiversity, can profit mental health.
Biodiverse nature offers more stimulation for the senses, which can improve concentration, reduce mental fatigue and restore cognitive resources – resembling memory and a focus span. Also, people living in or near a natural space are inclined to spend more time exercising or socialising outdoors, each of which promote the discharge of endorphins and other mood-boosting hormones.
Diverse natural environments also play essential roles in reducing pollutants and moderating temperatures. This helps protect against chronic physical conditions resembling allergies and asthma, while decreasing stress levels and enhancing mental wellbeing.
The science, then, is evident: biodiversity is critical not just for the health of our planet but in addition for human mental health. Our research shows biodiversity should be considered a part of the vital infrastructure of our cities.