Biodiversity's Role in Boosting Mental Well-being through Nature: Study
London, 16 Apr (ONA)--- New research from King's College London reveals that diverse natural spaces significantly boost mental well-being compared to less diverse environments.
Published in Scientific Reports, the study employed the Urban Mind app, collecting data from nearly 2,000 participants on real-time mental well-being and natural diversity.
Environments rich in features like trees, birds, plants, and waterways were associated with stronger mental health benefits, lasting up to eight hours.
Analysis indicated that a quarter of nature's positive impact on mental health stems from diversity.
Lead author Ryan Hammoud emphasizes the importance of moving towards urban spaces mirroring natural ecosystems rather than monocultural areas.
The study spanned April 2018 to September 2023, with participants completing over 41,000 assessments.
Each participant reported on their environment three times daily for 14 days, assessing mental health alongside natural features.
The Urban Mind app, developed by King's College London, J&L Gibbons, and Nomad Projects, facilitated data collection.
The Study underscores the urgency of preserving biodiversity, highlighting its dual benefits for environmental and human health and the need to prioritize natural diversity as vital urban infrastructure in combating climate change.
Smartphone-based ecological momentary assessment reveals an incremental association between natural diversity and mental well-being," as published in Scientific Reports.
--- Ends/Thuraiya/KH