Effects of forest stand density on human's physiopsychological changes

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate the influences of forest stand density on human's physiopsychological changes using electroencephalogram (EEG), pulse, profile of mood states (POMS), and semantic differential attitude (SDA) of testees. The stand density, defined as the percentage of tree crown area of a 10 m X 10 m plot, was adjusted with computer simulation in order to obtain 30%, 50%, 70%, and 100% of coniferous and broad-leaved forests, respectively. In order to reduce experimental errors of testees, all experiments were conducted in a laboratory where temperature, humidity, and noise levels were controlled. The results obtained showed that a greater stand density of the coniferous forest causes greater activity in the frontal brain, while a lower stand density produces relaxation in the brain. For the broad-leaved forest, the EEG was most active when the stand density was 100%, and both brain activity and pulse rate were most stable at a stand density of 50%.