Case study on the changes in the physical environment in forest healing spaces

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate changes in the physical environment in forest healing spaces by examining each of two tree species in a space within the Kasuya Research Forest, Kyushu University. At the study site, culmination and sunset showed high TNVOCs, low concentrations of particulate matter, and low PPD. Of the NVOCs, camphor was detected with the highest concentrations, 0.359 ng/m3 and 0.142 ng/m3, in C. camphora and M. thunbergii, respectively. Coniferous trees are generally used when creating an environment for healing purposes, as they are known to emit a large amount of NVOCs. However, according to our results, deciduous trees also emit NVOCs of sufficient concentrations. Therefore, if forest healing spaces are created with the appropriate components, it can have effective results.