Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Book chapters
DOI 10.1007/978-3-030-02318-8_9
Title (Primary) Review of the mental health and well-being benefits of biodiversity
Title (Secondary) Biodiversity and health in the face of climate change
Author Marselle, M.R.; Martens, D.; Dallimer, M.; Irvine, K.N.
Publisher Marselle, M.R.; Stadler, J.; Korn, H.; Irvine, K.N.; Bonn, A.
Year 2019
Department iDiv; ESS
Page From 175
Page To 211
Language englisch
Keywords Mental health; Mental well-being; Biodiversity; Species richness; Synthesis Review
Abstract Little is known about the contribution that biodiversity has on mental health and well-being. To date, only one systematic review has investigated the health and well-being benefits from contact with biodiversity (Lovell et al. J Toxicol Environ Health B Crit Rev 17(1):1–20, 2014). The number of research studies investigating the health and well-being effects of biodiversity has increased since this publication. Here, we provide an update, focusing on the impact of biodiversity on mental health and well-being. Our objectives are to: (i) identify and describe the literature published after 2012; and (ii) synthesise all results from Lovell et al. (J Toxicol Environ Health B Crit Rev 17(1):1–20, 2014) and the more recently published literature to assess whether biodiversity influences mental health and well-being. Sixteen recently published studies met the inclusion criteria. The literature is varied with different study designs, measures of biodiversity, mental health and well-being. The synthesis of results was drawn from 24 studies: nine from Lovell et al. (J Toxicol Environ Health B Crit Rev 17(1):1–20, 2014) and 15 identified by this chapter. There is some evidence to suggest that biodiversity promotes better mental health and well-being. However, more studies reported non-significant results. The evidence is not yet of the extent necessary to characterise the role of biodiversity in relation to mental health or well-being. Future interdisciplinary research directions are discussed.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=21960
Marselle, M.R., Martens, D., Dallimer, M., Irvine, K.N. (2019):
Review of the mental health and well-being benefits of biodiversity
In: Marselle, M.R., Stadler, J., Korn, H., Irvine, K.N., Bonn, A. (eds.)
Biodiversity and health in the face of climate change
Springer, Cham, p. 175 - 211 10.1007/978-3-030-02318-8_9