Is biodiversity conservation key to good mental health?
Release Date 13 May 2014
During Metal Health Awareness Week, Natalie Clark (University of Reading) and Rebecca Lovell (European Centre for Environment and Human Health) examine how biodiversity could impact on our mental health
The biodiversity of our planet sustains us. From the air we breathe and the water we drink, to the soil we sow and the fuel we use. But Earth's wonders do more than provide the basic necessities that allow humans to survive and prosper. The desire to experience its natural treasures drives us to spend hard-earned money and time on a variety of pursuits from expensive safaris to sedate bird watching in the garden. This suggests that we receive well-being benefits from these experiences, but how? And should we be concerned about the possible impacts of biodiversity loss to our well-being?
Research led by the University of Reading, in collaboration with the University of Exeter's European Centre for Environment and Human Health, has warned that biodiversity loss could threaten the delivery of these well-being benefits with potential repercussions for human mental health. Mental health disorders already affect nearly nine million people in the UK and are projected to cost £88.5 billion by 2026 - therefore, if biodiversity loss does impact on mental health, it could be even more costly than previously thought.
The shared cultural values we place on biodiversity are evident across the globe. Images of biodiversity and of particular species can be central to our cultural identity. The oak tree and the lion, for example, are strongly associated with the British identity. Further afield, the kiwi fruit is associated with New Zealand and the resplendent quetzal is a bird of legend in Guatemala.
Many people enjoy experiencing nature and are willing to contribute, through charities and public spending, towards its future conservation. Ecotourism is hugely popular and international organisations use the cultural values we place on enigmatic species to encourage our donations. Furthermore, many of us regularly devote our time to biodiversity conservation related activities, such as the RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch in the UK and the Audubon Society's Great Backyard Bird Count in the USA.
The effort we exert into enjoying nature suggests that we benefit from these experiences. However, less biodiversity may mean fewer opportunities to appreciate and value that biodiversity and this could have a significant effect on our well-being and subsequently our mental health. Although we still know very little about these complex culturally mediated relationships, evidence from other aspects of human health research suggests that health may well be negatively impacted by biodiversity loss.
Firstly, we know that people are sensitive to apparently trivial changes because of existing cultural associations. The colour of a tablet, for example, can affect our reported health outcomes; blue tablets are more effective as depressants, as the colour blue is culturally associated with calm and quietness; and red tablets more effective as stimulants, as the colour red is associated with energy and excitement.
Secondly, an awareness of environmental degradation can negatively affect mental health. Episodes of drought and flooding have been associated with higher levels of depression, anxiety and stress within communities, even for those not directly affected. And thirdly, there is a growing body of evidence to suggest that in comparison to people who spend a greater amount of time in higher quality natural environments, those people who spend less time in such places report greater health problems, decreased feelings of general health, higher levels of stress and slower recovery from illness.
All the evidence points to biodiversity loss having a negative impact on human well-being and health. If we continue to lose species at current extinction rates (which are estimated at 100-1000 times the natural rate) there is a real threat that not only will we continue to degrade global ecosystems, but we will also add to the burden of non-communicable disease, such as mental health illnesses.
Whilst we still know relatively little about the relationship between biodiversity and human well-being and health, it is clear that we need to better understand the mechanisms and how to best conserve biodiversity to reduce the occurrence and costs of ill health. These are important messages for policy makers, both environmental and health. If biodiversity change plays even a minor role in contributing to mental ill-health, the economic and health costs to society could be enormous.
Natalie Clark is funded by the Natural Environment Research Council. Rebecca Lovell receives funding from the Economic and Social Research Council. The European Centre for Environment and Human Health is funded by the European Regional Development Fund and the European Social Fund Convergence Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
Natalie's main research interest is in the relationships between biodiversity within natural spaces and human well-being and health. She is particularly interested in cultural pathways and how biodiversity loss could impact on well-being via a change in our cultural values.
Her PhD is investigating the well-being benefits of natural space on housing developments and has a particular focus on the impact of birds within these areas.
Rebecca Lovell is a socio-environmental researcher focusing on relationships between natural environments and human health and wellbeing. Much of her research can be considered to fit within an ecosystem services framework, particularly in relation to cultural ecosystem services
She currently works at the European Centre for Environment and Human Health at The University of Exeter Medical School. Becca uses systematic review, secondary analysis of quantitative and qualitative data, and primary methods to focus on 1) relationships between biodiversity and health, and 2) health within ecosystem services.