Review of the Mental Health and Well-being Benefits of Biodiversity

Abstract

Highlights ● Research into the health and wellbeing effects of biodiversity has grown since Lovell et al (2014) ● We update Lovell et al. (2014) and focus on the impact of biodiversity on mental health and wellbeing ● 16 recently published studies on biodiversity and mental health and wellbeing were identified ● Synthesis of results found some evidence that biodiversity promotes better mental health and wellbeing ● Overall, more studies reported nonsignificant effects Abstract Little is known about the contribution that biodiversity has on mental health and wellbeing. To date, only one systematic review has investigated the health and wellbeing benefits from contact with biodiversity (Lovell, Wheeler, Higgins, Irvine, & Depledge, 2014). The number of research studies investigating the health and wellbeing effects of biodiversity has increased since this publication. Here, we provide an update, focusing on the impact of biodiversity on mental health and wellbeing. Our objectives are to: (1) identify and describe the literature published after 2012; and (2) synthesize all results from Lovell et al. (2014) and the more recently published literature to assess whether biodiversity influences mental health and wellbeing. Sixteen recently published studies met the inclusion criteria. The literature is varied with different study designs, and measures of biodiversity, mental health and wellbeing. The synthesis of results was drawn from 24 studies: nine from Lovell et al. (2014) and 15 identified by this Chapter. There is some evidence to suggest that biodiversity promotes better mental health and wellbeing. However, more studies reported nonsignificant results. The evidence is not yet of the extent necessary to characterize the role of biodiversity in relation to mental health or wellbeing. Future interdisciplinary research directions are discussed.