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involved, and the age group of the participants (e.g. Ward Thompson 2013). For
example, playing (informal) football requires a large amount of open space with
significant buffer zones separating the activity from other uses (Golicnik and Ward
Thompson 2010). Such space would not tend to be particularly biodiverse. Runners
and cyclists may prefer more open environments, whilst walkers may select more
structured habitats. Site management may exploit such preferences to avoid con-
flicts (and even collisions) on shared tracks (Santos et al. 2016). People report
greater enjoyment of outdoor exercise compared to equivalent exercise performed
indoors (Thompson Coon et al. 2011). However, Shanahan et al. (2016) identify a
knowledge gap in understanding which characteristics of nature are important in
promoting physical activity. Exercise also benefits the immune system (Pedersen
et al. 2007): general exercise releases myokines, and this effect is greater in colder
environments, such as when exercising outdoors in a temperate climate. Myokines
induce an inflammatory/pro-inflammatory response control, influencing the func-
tion of chronic inflammation, and can positively affect cognition, reduce depression
and reduce inflammatory responses associated with osteoporotic disease (Kaji
2016). For a detailed discussion on green space interventions to promote physical
activity, see Hunter et al. Chap. 17, this volume.
11.2.6 Mental Health
While the direct association between appreciation of different levels of biodiversity
and well-being are clear, this is less so for mental health (as measured by the absence
of mental disorders such as anxiety or depression). However, there is a clear link
between access to natural environments and mental health (World Health Organization
2016). Bragg and Atkins (2016) suggest that three key components (being in the envi-
ronment, meaningful activities within the environment, and the social context) can
positively influence mental health. Both active participation in greenspace and observ-
able greenspace are significant in achieving mental health benefits (Nutsford et al.
2013), and horticultural activities programmes for older people lead to reduced levels
of depression and improved life satisfaction (Masuya et
al. 2014). There is some evi-
dence that exposure to ‘beautiful’ nature (potentially equating to perceived biodiver-
sity) promotes socially desirable behaviours (Zhang et al. 2014). Beyer et al. (2014)
suggested that greening could be useful within a population mental health strategy.
For a more in-depth discussion on mental health and biodiversity, see de Vries and
Snep Chap.8, this volume, and Marselle et
al. Chap. 9, this volume.
11.2.7 Physical Health – Infectious Disease (Disease/Pathogen
Reduction)
The links between biodiversity and infectious disease are complex. Although Bernstein
(2014) suggested a possible swamping of disease transmission agents by larger spe-
cies diversity, Wood et al. (2014) identified no such reduction for many diseases,
P. A. Cook et al.
Biodiversity and Health in the Face of Climate Change
- Titel
- Biodiversity and Health in the Face of Climate Change
- Autoren
- Melissa Marselle
- Jutta Stadler
- Horst Korn
- Katherine Irvine
- Aletta Bonn
- Verlag
- Springer Open
- Datum
- 2019
- Sprache
- englisch
- Lizenz
- CC BY 4.0
- ISBN
- 978-3-030-02318-8
- Abmessungen
- 15.5 x 24.0 cm
- Seiten
- 508
- Schlagwörter
- Environment, Environmental health, Applied ecology, Climate change, Biodiversity, Public health, Regional planning, Urban planning
- Kategorien
- Naturwissenschaften Umwelt und Klima