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Cerri J, Musto C, Ferretti M, Delogu M, Bertolino S, Martinoli A, Bisi F, Preatoni DG, Tattoni C, Apollonio M. COVID-19 could accelerate the decline in recreational hunting: A natural experiment from Northern Italy. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0309017. [PMID: 39150926 PMCID: PMC11329146 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0309017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 08/03/2024] [Indexed: 08/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Although many studies highlighted the potential of COVID-19 to reshape existing models of wildlife management, empirical research on this topic has been scarce, particularly in Europe. We investigated the potential of COVID-19 pandemic to accelerate the ongoing decline in an aging population of recreational hunters in Italy. Namely, we modelled spatiotemporal trends between 2011 and 2021 in the number of recreational hunters in 50 Italian provinces with a varying incidence of COVID-19, and temporally delayed waves of infection. Compared to projections from 2011-2019 data, we detected a lower number of hunters who enrolled for the hunting season, both in 2020 (14 provinces) and in 2021 (15 provinces). The provinces with the highest incidence of COVID-19 in the Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna regions were also those experiencing the most marked decrease in hunting participation. Our findings revealed that a wildlife management system based on recreational hunting can be rapidly destabilized by epidemics and their associated public health measures, particularly when the average age of hunters is high, like in Italy. Considered the high incidence attained by COVID-19 in many European countries, where hunters are pivotal for the management of large ungulates and where they were already declining before the pandemic, our findings call for further large-scale research about the impact of COVID-19 on hunting participation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacopo Cerri
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Carmela Musto
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Mauro Delogu
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Sandro Bertolino
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e Biologia dei Sistemi, Università degli Studi di Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Adriano Martinoli
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, Università degli Studi dell'Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Francesco Bisi
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, Università degli Studi dell'Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | | | - Clara Tattoni
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, Università degli Studi dell'Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Marco Apollonio
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
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2
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Moradi N, Zarei L, Hajimoladarvish N, Meshkani Z, Zanganeh M, Babapour J, Lankarani KB. Public Preference for Financing Preventive Vaccines in Health Shocks: The Case of COVID-19 Vaccines in a Middle-Income Country. PHARMACOECONOMICS - OPEN 2024; 8:559-568. [PMID: 38761343 PMCID: PMC11252095 DOI: 10.1007/s41669-024-00494-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To effectively manage health crises such as disease pandemics, health authorities require reliable information regarding people's preferences. This helps to ensure timely and targeted interventions and avoids increasing societal costs through developing evidence-based policies. This study investigates the Iranian people's preference for financing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines and the factors affecting this. METHODS A cross-sectional survey was performed during the third-wave peak of COVID-19 in Iran from 1 to 20 February 2021 utilizing various data collection methods. The public preference regarding imported and domestically produced vaccines, their willingness to fully or partially contribute to the financing of these vaccines, and their willingness to pay (WTP) for domestically produced vaccines using the contingent valuation method was assessed in different scenarios. The determinants of the probability of positive financing preferences were evaluated using an ordered probit regression model. RESULTS Among the 2071 survey respondents, approximately 60% stated willingness to contribute to vaccine financing in the form of partial or full user fee payments. Forty percent of respondents are willing to be vaccinated if it is provided for free by the government. Interestingly, people's preference for financing the vaccine was not related to the type of vaccine. The regression analysis showed that income, having supplementary insurance, being male, perceived COVID-19 risk, education, and working in the health sector are significantly related to a higher probability of contribution to vaccine financing. CONCLUSIONS Regardless of country of origin of COVID-19 vaccines, vaccination is very important for the Iranian people, and the majority of respondents in our study showed an inclination to contribute to vaccine funding, from partial to full user fees, to achieve higher protection against COVID-19 disease. Hence, ensuring timely access to vaccines during health crises such as pandemics is imperative, as it saves lives and reduces the economic burden of disease. This commitment from the health system can be supported by financial contributions from the general public. In this regard, considering public preferences is strongly advised to policymakers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Najmeh Moradi
- Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Leila Zarei
- Health Policy Research Center, Institute of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, No. 2, 8th floor, Zand St., PO Box 71348-45794, Shiraz, Iran.
| | | | - Zahra Meshkani
- Department of Health Economics, School of Health Management and Information Science, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Marzieh Zanganeh
- College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Long Island University, Brookville, NY, USA
| | - Jafar Babapour
- Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kamran Bagheri Lankarani
- Health Policy Research Center, Institute of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, No. 2, 8th floor, Zand St., PO Box 71348-45794, Shiraz, Iran
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3
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Balčiauskas L, Stratford J, Kučas A, Balčiauskienė L. Lockdown's Silver Lining? Different Levels of Roadkill during the COVID-19 Times in Lithuania. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2918. [PMID: 37760319 PMCID: PMC10525093 DOI: 10.3390/ani13182918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The impact of COVID-19 restrictions on human and vehicular mobility on the number of roadkills of wild mammals, and roe deer in particular, was assessed in Lithuania. We statistically analyzed the distribution of all mammals and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) as the most abundant species annually from 2002 to 2022 and monthly from 2020 to 2021, including during the two restriction periods. Notably, there was a marked decrease in roadkill incidents on main, national and regional roads, particularly in April-May 2020 (the beginning of lockdown period I) and November-December 2020 (the beginning of lockdown period II), 5.1-20.8% and 33.6-54.4%, respectively. During these months, collisions with mammals on the A14 main road were reduced by 75-90%. However, there was a significant increase in the number of roadkills in urban areas, resulting in the total number of mammal-vehicle and roe deer-vehicle collisions in 2020 and 2021 being higher than expected based on long-term trends. However, after restrictions were eased, collision numbers with wildlife on the main, national and regional roads increased again and became higher than expected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linas Balčiauskas
- Nature Research Centre, Akademijos Str. 2, 08412 Vilnius, Lithuania (L.B.)
| | - Jos Stratford
- Nature Research Centre, Akademijos Str. 2, 08412 Vilnius, Lithuania (L.B.)
| | - Andrius Kučas
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Via Fermi 2749, 21027 Ispra, Italy
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Randler C, Jokimäki J, de Salvo M, de Almeida Barbosa R, Staller N, Tryjanowski P, Kaisanlahti-Jokimäki ML, Tsai JS, Ortiz-Pulido R, Rahafar A, Giuffrida L. Spatial, temporal, and motivational changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic in a nature-based leisure activity - A global survey of birders. iScience 2023; 26:107483. [PMID: 37588164 PMCID: PMC10425937 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Birdwatchers contribute an immense amount of data to citizen science databases. Thus, birding is important from the leisure perspective and from nature conservation. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we studied birdwatchers on a global scale in over 50 countries by applying the model of behavior change, which focuses on changes in opportunity (spatial, temporal), motivation, and capability (avoidance behavior). The sample consisted of 5051 participants (3437 men, 1575 women, mean age 49 years). Birders changed their spatial behavior to more local birding and to avoidance behavior by choosing different places and different clock times. Concerning motivation, being outdoors showed the highest increase and being with friends the strongest decrease. Higher specialized birders experienced a stronger shift toward regional birding. Birders that focused on new, local, or unrewarding places experienced an increase in motivation. Our study empirically supports the behavior change model and highlights the need to address the heterogeneity of the recreationists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Randler
- Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 24, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jukka Jokimäki
- Arctic Centre, University of Lapland, Rovaniemi, Finland
| | - Maria de Salvo
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Renan de Almeida Barbosa
- Graduate Program in Science Education, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Naomi Staller
- Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 24, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Piotr Tryjanowski
- Department of Zoology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Poznan, Poland
- Department of Life Science Systems, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
- Institute for Advanced Study, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany
| | | | - Jo-Szu Tsai
- Department of Biological Resources, National Chiayi University, Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - Raúl Ortiz-Pulido
- Population Ecology Laboratory, Autonomous University of the State of Hidalgo, Pachuca, Mexico
| | - Arash Rahafar
- Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 24, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Laura Giuffrida
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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Fabrero GVN, Manceras LJS, Agduma AR, Tanalgo KC. Uncovering the Effects of COVID-19 Mask Wearing on Bird Flight Initiation Distance in Urbanized Areas in the Southern Philippines. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13081289. [PMID: 37106852 PMCID: PMC10135014 DOI: 10.3390/ani13081289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant changes in public and human activities worldwide, including using masks and reducing human interaction. These changes have also affected wildlife behavior, especially in urban areas. However, there is limited understanding of the impact of COVID-19-related human activities, mainly mask wearing, on the behavior of urban bird species. This case is intriguing in the Philippines, where COVID-19 restrictions and mask wearing have been more prolonged than in other countries. We studied two common urban bird species (Geopelia striata and Passer montanus) in Southcentral Mindanao, Philippines, to assess their response to mask wearing by examining their alert distance (AD) and flight initiation distance (FID). We found that birds had a reduced FID to mask wearing, but only significantly in G. striata (Zebra Doves) and not in P. montanus (Eurasian tree sparrow). The effect of the variables related to urbanization on FID was contrasting. For example, ambient noise increased bird vigilance while proximity to roads reduced bird FID in urbanized areas, but their effects were weaker compared to mask wearing. We conclude that mask wearing during the COVID-19 pandemic is a significant environmental element that alters bird escape responses in urban areas, and the effects may be species-specific.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerald Vince N Fabrero
- Ecology and Conservation Research Laboratory (Eco/Con Lab), Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Mathematics, University of Southern Mindanao, Kabacan 9407, Cotabato, Philippines
| | - Leanne Jay S Manceras
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Mathematics, University of Southern Mindanao, Kabacan 9407, Cotabato, Philippines
| | - Angelo Rellama Agduma
- Ecology and Conservation Research Laboratory (Eco/Con Lab), Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Mathematics, University of Southern Mindanao, Kabacan 9407, Cotabato, Philippines
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agrobioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Conservation, College of Forestry, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Krizler Cejuela Tanalgo
- Ecology and Conservation Research Laboratory (Eco/Con Lab), Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Mathematics, University of Southern Mindanao, Kabacan 9407, Cotabato, Philippines
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Hart AG, Bosley H, Hooper C, Perry J, Sellors‐Moore J, Moore O, Goodenough AE. Assessing the accuracy of free automated plant identification applications. PEOPLE AND NATURE 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/pan3.10460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/04/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Adam G. Hart
- Department of Natural and Social Science University of Gloucestershire Cheltenham UK
| | - Hayley Bosley
- Department of Natural and Social Science University of Gloucestershire Cheltenham UK
| | - Chloe Hooper
- Department of Natural and Social Science University of Gloucestershire Cheltenham UK
| | - Jessica Perry
- Department of Natural and Social Science University of Gloucestershire Cheltenham UK
| | - Joel Sellors‐Moore
- Department of Natural and Social Science University of Gloucestershire Cheltenham UK
| | | | - Anne E. Goodenough
- Department of Natural and Social Science University of Gloucestershire Cheltenham UK
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Pocock MJO, Hamlin I, Christelow J, Passmore H, Richardson M. The benefits of citizen science and nature‐noticing activities for well‐being, nature connectedness and pro‐nature conservation behaviours. PEOPLE AND NATURE 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/pan3.10432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
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Bajpai R, Srivastava R, Upreti DK. Unraveling the ameliorative potentials of native lichen Pyxine cocoes (Sw.) Nyl., during COVID 19 phase. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY 2023; 67:67-77. [PMID: 36264503 PMCID: PMC9584263 DOI: 10.1007/s00484-022-02386-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Due to the rapid increase in the novel coronavirus virulence, the entire world implemented the practice of lockdown along with the constraint of human movement. The obligation of quarantine halted most of the commercial and industrial movement that prominently disturbed the distinct key environmental parameters directly associated with the plant's and animal's health conditions. In this regard, the research aims to study the sudden shut-off of vehicular activity impact on the naturally growing lichen of the genus Pyxine cocoes. The results showed an increase in the pigments, Fv/Fm ratio, and phytohormones during the lockdown and concurrently the decreasing levels in the post-lockdown period. Interestingly, modulations in the phytohormones occur in the lockdown period as compared to the post-lockdown period. The metals Al, Cr, and Fe show the highest increasing trends in the unlocking period, whereas As, Cd, Pb, Cu, Hg, Mn, and Zn show very little variation during the running and post-lockdown phases. The lichen photosynthetic activity justifies further examination as initial biological indicators of the abrupt environmental variations prompted by such types of atmospheric situations and, to a greater extent, for the risk assessment in the near future. In conclusion, stress-phytohormone and amino acids play a significant role as stress reducers. Although lichens are well known for long environmental assessment, the present study will provide qualitative and quantitative variation in physiochemical changes in the short term and sudden environmental fluctuations. HIGHLIGHTS: • Qualitative and quantitative variation in biochemical parameters in lichen during and post-lockdown period was analyzed. • Stress-phytohormone and amino acids play a significant role as stress reducers. • Selectivity sequence reflection in heavy metal accumulation may be used in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajesh Bajpai
- Prof. H.S. Srivastava Foundation for Science and Society, Office No. 04, 1st Floor, Eldeco Xpress Plaza, Uttrathia Raebareli Road, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
- Lichenology Laboratory, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, India.
| | - Rakesh Srivastava
- Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Division, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, India
| | - Dalip Kumar Upreti
- Lichenology Laboratory, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, India
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Khondakar KR, Kaushik A. Role of Wearable Sensing Technology to Manage Long COVID. BIOSENSORS 2022; 13:62. [PMID: 36671900 PMCID: PMC9855989 DOI: 10.3390/bios13010062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Long COVID consequences have changed the perception towards disease management, and it is moving towards personal healthcare monitoring. In this regard, wearable devices have revolutionized the personal healthcare sector to track and monitor physiological parameters of the human body continuously. This would be largely beneficial for early detection (asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic cases of COVID-19), live patient conditions, and long COVID monitoring (COVID recovered patients and healthy individuals) for better COVID-19 management. There are multitude of wearable devices that can observe various human body parameters for remotely monitoring patients and self-monitoring mode for individuals. Smart watches, smart tattoos, rings, smart facemasks, nano-patches, etc., have emerged as the monitoring devices for key physiological parameters, such as body temperature, respiration rate, heart rate, oxygen level, etc. This review includes long COVID challenges for frequent monitoring of biometrics and its possible solution with wearable device technologies for diagnosis and post-therapy of diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamil Reza Khondakar
- School of Health Sciences and Technology, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun 248007, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Ajeet Kaushik
- NanoBioTech Laboratory, Department of Environmental Engineering, Florida Polytechnic University, Lakeland, FL 33805-8531, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2094, South Africa
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Pitino M, Fleites LA, Shrum L, Heck M, Shatters RG. Plant production of high affinity nanobodies that block SARS-CoV-2 spike protein binding with its receptor, human angiotensin converting enzyme. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:1045337. [PMID: 36619377 PMCID: PMC9822723 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.1045337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Nanobodies® (VHH antibodies), are small peptides that represent the antigen binding domain, VHH of unique single domain antibodies (heavy chain only antibodies, HcAb) derived from camelids. Here, we demonstrate production of VHH nanobodies against the SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins in the solanaceous plant Nicotiana benthamiana through transient expression and their subsequent detection verified through western blot. We demonstrate that these nanobodies competitively inhibit binding between the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein receptor binding domain and its human receptor protein, angiotensin converting enzyme 2. There has been significant interest and a number of publications on the use of plants as biofactories and even some reports of producing nanobodies in plants. Our data demonstrate that functional nanobodies blocking a process necessary to initiate SARS-CoV-2 infection into mammalian cells can be produced in plants. This opens the alternative of using plants in a scheme to rapidly respond to therapeutic needs for emerging pathogens in human medicine and agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Michelle Heck
- Emerging Pests and Pathogens Research Unit, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | - Robert G. Shatters
- U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory, Subtropical Insects and Horticulture Research Unit, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Fort Pierce, FL, United States,*Correspondence: Robert G. Shatters Jr,
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Jakstis K, Dubovik M, Laikari A, Mustajärvi K, Wendling L, Fischer LK. Informing the design of urban green and blue spaces through an understanding of Europeans' usage and preferences. PEOPLE AND NATURE 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/pan3.10419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Kristen Jakstis
- Institute of Landscape Planning and Ecology University of Stuttgart Stuttgart Germany
| | - Maria Dubovik
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Espoo Finland
| | - Arto Laikari
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Espoo Finland
| | | | | | - Leonie K. Fischer
- Institute of Landscape Planning and Ecology University of Stuttgart Stuttgart Germany
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Isabella DM, Claudia B, Giulia CM, Alessandro C, Alessandro P. Citizens' use of public urban green spaces at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy. URBAN FORESTRY & URBAN GREENING 2022; 77:127739. [PMID: 36168321 PMCID: PMC9499986 DOI: 10.1016/j.ufug.2022.127739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Since early 2020, Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread rapidly, quickly becoming a global pandemic. To counter the COVID-19 outbreak, national governments have issued different measures and restrictions, forcing citizens to adapt to a whole new lifestyle. These restrictions have impacted on the use of green spaces by citizens owing to many factors: more available free time, increased flexibility in the work environment, and a need to relax in Nature to relieve anxiety and stress. Urban green spaces provide many benefits for the physical and psychological well-being of citizens (e.g., habitat conservation, pollution control, recreational and leisure opportunities). To understand if citizens' habits have changed due to the COVID-19 restrictions, this study provides insights from a web-based survey monitoring the use of such spaces before and during the COVID-19 lockdowns in Italy. A web-based questionnaire was conducted via "Facebook Messenger" and "WhatsApp" at the end of the second wave of COVID-19 (May-June 2021). Data collection having been concluded, 1075 completed questionnaires were collected and processed. The results show that while many reduced their weekly frequentation of green areas (-16.5%), the number of people frequenting green areas near their home every day increased (+7.7%). Two main groups of people were identified: the first, those who intensified their visits to green areas being those who desired to spend time in contact with Nature; the second, those who were reluctant to visit green areas for fear of being infected. The results also show most of the respondents felt urban green areas were either very important (82.1%) or important (14.4%). Overall, the results reveal that COVID-19 induced a positive perception of the benefits provided by urban green areas, with a consequent greater use of them, which seems destined to last even once the public health emergency has passed.
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Affiliation(s)
- De Meo Isabella
- Consiglio per la ricerca in agricoltura e l'analisi dell'economia agraria (CREA), Research Centre for Agriculture and Environment, Firenze, Italy
| | - Becagli Claudia
- Consiglio per la ricerca in agricoltura e l'analisi dell'economia agraria (CREA), Research Centre for Agriculture and Environment, Firenze, Italy
| | - Cantiani Maria Giulia
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Casagli Alessandro
- Consiglio per la ricerca in agricoltura e l'analisi dell'economia agraria (CREA), Research Centre for Agriculture and Environment, Firenze, Italy
| | - Paletto Alessandro
- Consiglio per la ricerca in agricoltura e l'analisi dell'economia agraria (CREA), Research Centre for Forestry and Wood, p.za Nicolini 1, 38123 Trento, Italy
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Guimarães ES, Sá AA, Soares RC, Bandeira PFR, Moreira H, Guimarães JRS, de Lima Júnior FDÓ, Gabriel RCD. Classification of the Effort Index and Biomechanical Overload in Natural Trails of UNESCO Global Geoparks-A Network Perspective of Trails of the Araripe UGG (NE Brazil). INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:14297. [PMID: 36361174 PMCID: PMC9658445 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192114297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Natural trails in UNESCO Global Geopark territories show strong salutogenic, inclusive and interactive characteristics as potentials and opportunities for ecosystem health. It is essential to provide information to inform the hiker as to the characteristics of the environment and the attractions and challenges of the route. Based on a network analysis methodology we aimed to identify the indicators of centrality and strength of connection in order to classify the effort index and biomechanical overload of the Araripe UNESCO Global Geopark trails in Brazil. The results showed strong connection and centrality of the variables related to the biomechanical overload in the effort index. In the trail of Pontal de Cruz the altimetric variation and the surface of the ground are highlighted in the biomechanical overload that presented a horizontal course equivalent 2.6 times larger than the presented distance. In Sítio Fundão trail, the surface of the ground also stood out, increasing the exposure in 36% of the presented distance. On the Missão Velha Waterfall trail, the variable that stood out was the biomechanical overload on the knee, equivalent to a horizontal increase of 28% of the measured distance. The methodology presented sought to optimise the mapping, management and consolidation of a network of natural trails aggregated to a high geotouristic, scientific, educational, cultural and well-being potential as presented in the Araripe UGG territory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo S. Guimarães
- Department of Sport Sciences, Exercise and Health, UTAD—University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Quinta de Prados, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
- Department of Physical Education, URCA—Universidade Regional do Cariri, Araripe UNESCO Global Geopark, Rua Cel. Antônio Luiz 1161, Crato 63105-000, CE, Brazil
| | - Artur A. Sá
- Department of Geology, UTAD—University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Quinta de Prados, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Rafael C. Soares
- Araripe UNESCO Global Geopark, URCA—Universidade Regional do Cariri, Rua Carolino Sucupira, Crato 63105-000, CE, Brazil
| | - Paulo Felipe R. Bandeira
- Motor Evaluation Study, Application and Research Group—GEAPAM, URCA—Universidade Regional do Cariri, Rua Cel. Antônio Luis 1161, Crato 63105-000, CE, Brazil
| | - Helena Moreira
- Department of Sport Sciences, Exercise and Health, Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development (CIDESD) and Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Quinta de Prados, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Jaqueliny R. S. Guimarães
- Department of Medicine, URCA—Universidade Regional do Cariri, Rua Cel. Antônio Luiz 1161, Crato 63105-000, CE, Brazil
| | - Francisco do Ó de Lima Júnior
- Department of Economics, URCA—Universidade Regional do Cariri, Araripe UNESCO Global Geopark, Rua Cel. Antônio Luiz 1161, Crato 63105-000, CE, Brazil
| | - Ronaldo C. D. Gabriel
- Department of Sport Sciences, Exercise and Health, Centre for the Research and Technology in Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Quinta de Prados, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
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14
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Junça-Silva A. The Furr-Recovery Method: Interacting with Furry Co-Workers during Work Time Is a Micro-Break That Recovers Workers' Regulatory Resources and Contributes to Their Performance. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph192013701. [PMID: 36294275 PMCID: PMC9603518 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192013701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Drawing on the conservation of resources theory and the recovery step model our research expands on a cognitive (regulatory resources) mechanism that links human-animal interactions and employee performance. This study aimed to explore whether daily human-animal interactions during worktime would be conceived as a daily-recovery process that restores the individual's daily regulatory resources and, as a result, improves daily adaptive and task performance. To test this, a daily diary study during 10 working days, with 105 teleworkers was performed (N = 105 × 10 = 1050). Multilevel results demonstrated that daily interactions between human and their pets served to recover their daily regulatory resources that, in turn, improved daily task-and-adaptive performance. This research not only expands our theoretical understanding of regulatory resources as a cognitive mechanism that links human-animal interactions to employee effectiveness but also offers practical implications by highlighting the recovery role of interacting with pets during the working day, as a way to restore resources needed to be more effective at work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Junça-Silva
- Business Research Unit (BRU-IUL), ISCTE—Instituto Universitário de Lisboa, 1649-026 Lisboa, Portugal;
- Superior School of Management, IPT—Instituto Politécnico de Tomar, 2300-313 Tomar, Portugal
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15
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Pham TT, Tang TKH, Dang HP, Nguyen TKN, Hoang TL, Tran NMH, Nguyen TTA, Nguyen TVA, Valencia I. Policymaker perceptions of COVID-19 impacts, opportunities and challenges for sustainable wildlife farm management in Vietnam. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & POLICY 2022; 136:497-509. [PMID: 35855780 PMCID: PMC9279387 DOI: 10.1016/j.envsci.2022.07.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2021] [Revised: 04/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
This paper uses Vietnam - where overexploitation of wildlife resources is a major threat to biodiversity conservation - as a case study to examine how government officials perceive the impacts of COVID-19 on wildlife farming, as well as the opportunities and challenges presented for sustainable wildlife management. Findings show Vietnamese government officials perceive COVID-19 to have had mixed impacts on wildlife conservation policies and practice. While the pandemic strengthened the legal framework on wildlife conservation, implementation and outcomes have been poor, as existing policies are unclear, contradictory, and poorly enforced. Our paper also shows policymakers in Vietnam are not in favor of banning wildlife trade. As our paper documents the immediate impacts of the pandemic on wildlife farming, more research is necessary to analyse longer-term impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thu Thuy Pham
- Center for International Forestry Research, Bogor 16115, Indonesia
| | | | | | | | - Tuan Long Hoang
- Center for International Forestry Research, Bogor 16115, Indonesia
| | - Ngoc My Hoa Tran
- Center for International Forestry Research, Bogor 16115, Indonesia
| | | | - Thi Van Anh Nguyen
- University of Economics and Business, Vietnam National University, Hanoi 100000, Viet Nam
| | - Isabela Valencia
- Center for International Forestry Research, Bogor 16115, Indonesia
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16
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Mul E, Ancin Murguzur FJ, Hausner VH. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on human-nature relations in a remote nature-based tourism destination. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0273354. [PMID: 36174081 PMCID: PMC9521831 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0273354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Tourism and nature-based recreation has changed dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic. Travel restrictions caused sharp declines in visitation numbers, particularly in remote areas, such as northern Norway. In addition, the pandemic may have altered human-nature relationships by changing visitor behaviour and preferences. We studied visitor numbers and behaviour in northern Norway, based on user-generated data, in the form of photographic material that was uploaded to the popular online platform Flickr. A total of 195.200 photographs, taken by 5.247 photographers were subjected to Google’s “Cloud Vision” automatic content analysis algorithm. The resulting collection of labels that were assigned to each photograph was analysed in structural topic models, using photography date (relative to the start of the pandemic measures in Norway) and reported or estimated photographers’ nationality as explanatory variables. Our results show that nature-based recreation relating to “mountains” and “winter” became more prevalent during the pandemic, amongst both domestic and international photographers. Shifts in preferences due to the pandemic outbreak strongly depended on nationality, with domestic visitors demonstrating a wide interest in topics while international visitors maintained their preference for nature-based experiences. Among those activities that suffered the most from decline in international tourism was northern lights and cruises as indicated by the topic models. On the other hand, images depicting mountains and flora and fauna increased their prevalence during the pandemic. Domestic visitors, on the other hand, spent more time in urban settings as a result of restrictions, which results in a higher prevalence of non-nature related images. Our results underscore the need to consider the dynamic nature of human-nature relationships. The contrast in flexibility to adapt to changing conditions and travel restrictions should be incorporated in collaborative efforts of municipalities and tour operators to develop sustainable local nature-based tourism products, particularly in remote areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evert Mul
- Institute of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT–The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Vera Helene Hausner
- Institute of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT–The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
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17
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Armstrong M, Aksu Bahçeci H, van Donk E, Dubey A, Frenken T, Gebreyohanes Belay BM, Gsell AS, Heuts TS, Kramer L, Lürling M, Ouboter M, Seelen LMS, Teurlincx S, Vasantha Raman N, Zhan Q, de Senerpont Domis LN. Making waves: Lessons learned from the COVID-19 anthropause in the Netherlands on urban aquatic ecosystem services provisioning and management. WATER RESEARCH 2022; 223:118934. [PMID: 36058095 PMCID: PMC9348808 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.118934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The anomalous past two years of the COVID-19 pandemic have been a test of human response to global crisis management as typical human activities were significantly altered. The COVID-instigated anthropause has illustrated the influence that humans and the biosphere have on each other, especially given the variety of national mobility interventions that have been implemented globally. These local COVID-19-era restrictions influenced human-ecosystem interactions through changes in accessibility of water systems and changes in ecosystem service demand. Four urban aquatic case studies in the Netherlands demonstrated shifts in human demand during the anthropause. For instance, reduced boat traffic in Amsterdam canals led to improved water clarity. In comparison, ongoing service exploitation from increased recreational fishing, use of bathing waters and national parks visitation are heightening concerns about potential ecosystem degradation. We distilled management lessons from both the case studies as well as from recent literature pertaining to ecological intactness and social relevance. Equally important to the lessons themselves, however, is the pace at which informed management practices are established after the pandemic ends, particularly as many communities currently recognize the importance of aquatic ecosystems and are amenable to their protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret Armstrong
- Department of Aquatic Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Droevendaalsesteeg 10, Wageningen 6708 PB, the Netherlands; Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality Management Group, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands.
| | - Hazal Aksu Bahçeci
- Department of Aquatic Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Droevendaalsesteeg 10, Wageningen 6708 PB, the Netherlands
| | - Ellen van Donk
- Department of Aquatic Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Droevendaalsesteeg 10, Wageningen 6708 PB, the Netherlands; Ecology and Biodiversity research group, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Asmita Dubey
- Department of Aquatic Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Droevendaalsesteeg 10, Wageningen 6708 PB, the Netherlands
| | - Thijs Frenken
- Department of Aquatic Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Droevendaalsesteeg 10, Wageningen 6708 PB, the Netherlands
| | - Berte M Gebreyohanes Belay
- Department of Aquatic Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Droevendaalsesteeg 10, Wageningen 6708 PB, the Netherlands
| | - Alena S Gsell
- Department of Aquatic Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Droevendaalsesteeg 10, Wageningen 6708 PB, the Netherlands
| | - Tom S Heuts
- Department of Aquatic Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Droevendaalsesteeg 10, Wageningen 6708 PB, the Netherlands; Department of Aquatic Ecology & Environmental Biology, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Lilith Kramer
- Department of Aquatic Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Droevendaalsesteeg 10, Wageningen 6708 PB, the Netherlands; Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality Management Group, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands; Department of Freshwater Ecology and Water Quality, Deltares, Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Miquel Lürling
- Department of Aquatic Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Droevendaalsesteeg 10, Wageningen 6708 PB, the Netherlands; Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality Management Group, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Maarten Ouboter
- Waternet, Regional Water Authority Amstel, Gooi and Vecht, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Laura M S Seelen
- Department of Aquatic Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Droevendaalsesteeg 10, Wageningen 6708 PB, the Netherlands; Programming and Monitoring, Regional Water Authority Brabantse Delta, Breda, the Netherlands
| | - Sven Teurlincx
- Department of Aquatic Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Droevendaalsesteeg 10, Wageningen 6708 PB, the Netherlands
| | - Nandini Vasantha Raman
- Department of Aquatic Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Droevendaalsesteeg 10, Wageningen 6708 PB, the Netherlands
| | - Qing Zhan
- Department of Aquatic Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Droevendaalsesteeg 10, Wageningen 6708 PB, the Netherlands
| | - Lisette N de Senerpont Domis
- Department of Aquatic Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Droevendaalsesteeg 10, Wageningen 6708 PB, the Netherlands; Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality Management Group, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands; Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation, University of Twente, Enschede, the Netherlands; Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Twente, Enschede, the Netherlands
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18
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Dayer AA, Everly J, Comber CA, Gore ML. Managers and shorebird biologists' perceptions of enforcement and voluntary compliance techniques to increase compliance with dog regulations on beaches. PEOPLE AND NATURE 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/pan3.10392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ashley A. Dayer
- Department of Fish & Wildlife Conservation Virginia Tech Blacksburg Virginia USA
| | - Jillian Everly
- Department of Fish & Wildlife Conservation Virginia Tech Blacksburg Virginia USA
| | - Carolyn A. Comber
- Department of Fish & Wildlife Conservation Virginia Tech Blacksburg Virginia USA
| | - Meredith L. Gore
- Department of Geographical Sciences University of Maryland College Park College Park Maryland USA
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19
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Labib SM, Browning MHEM, Rigolon A, Helbich M, James P. Nature's contributions in coping with a pandemic in the 21st century: A narrative review of evidence during COVID-19. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 833:155095. [PMID: 35395304 DOI: 10.32942/osf.io/j2pa8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2022] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
While COVID-19 lockdowns have slowed coronavirus transmission, such structural measures also have unintended consequences on mental and physical health. Growing evidence shows that exposure to the natural environment (e.g., blue-green spaces) can improve human health and wellbeing. In this narrative review, we synthesized the evidence about nature's contributions to health and wellbeing during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. We found that during the pandemic, people experienced multiple types of nature, including both outdoors and indoors. Frequency of visits to outdoor natural areas (i.e., public parks) depended on lockdown severity and socio-cultural contexts. Other forms of nature exposure, such as spending time in private gardens and viewing outdoor greenery from windows, may have increased. The majority of the evidence suggests nature exposure during COVID-19 pandemic was associated with less depression, anxiety, stress, and more happiness and life satisfaction. Additionally, nature exposure was correlated with less physical inactivity and fewer sleep disturbances. Evidence was mixed regarding associations between nature exposure and COVID-related health outcomes, while nature visits might be associated with greater rates of COVID-19 transmission and mortality when proper social distancing measures were not maintained. Findings on whether nature exposure during lockdowns helped ameliorate health inequities by impacting the health of lower-socioeconomic populations more than their higher-socioeconomic counterparts for example were mixed. Based on these findings, we argue that nature exposure may have buffered the negative mental and behavioral impacts of lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recovery and resilience during the current crises and future public health crises might be improved with nature-based infrastructure, interventions, designs, and governance.
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Affiliation(s)
- S M Labib
- Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, 3584 CB Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Matthew H E M Browning
- Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, 29631, USA
| | - Alessandro Rigolon
- Department of City and Metropolitan Planning, The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Marco Helbich
- Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, 3584 CB Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Peter James
- Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, 401 Park Drive, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, 655 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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20
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Labib SM, Browning MHEM, Rigolon A, Helbich M, James P. Nature's contributions in coping with a pandemic in the 21st century: A narrative review of evidence during COVID-19. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 833:155095. [PMID: 35395304 PMCID: PMC8983608 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2022] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
While COVID-19 lockdowns have slowed coronavirus transmission, such structural measures also have unintended consequences on mental and physical health. Growing evidence shows that exposure to the natural environment (e.g., blue-green spaces) can improve human health and wellbeing. In this narrative review, we synthesized the evidence about nature's contributions to health and wellbeing during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. We found that during the pandemic, people experienced multiple types of nature, including both outdoors and indoors. Frequency of visits to outdoor natural areas (i.e., public parks) depended on lockdown severity and socio-cultural contexts. Other forms of nature exposure, such as spending time in private gardens and viewing outdoor greenery from windows, may have increased. The majority of the evidence suggests nature exposure during COVID-19 pandemic was associated with less depression, anxiety, stress, and more happiness and life satisfaction. Additionally, nature exposure was correlated with less physical inactivity and fewer sleep disturbances. Evidence was mixed regarding associations between nature exposure and COVID-related health outcomes, while nature visits might be associated with greater rates of COVID-19 transmission and mortality when proper social distancing measures were not maintained. Findings on whether nature exposure during lockdowns helped ameliorate health inequities by impacting the health of lower-socioeconomic populations more than their higher-socioeconomic counterparts for example were mixed. Based on these findings, we argue that nature exposure may have buffered the negative mental and behavioral impacts of lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recovery and resilience during the current crises and future public health crises might be improved with nature-based infrastructure, interventions, designs, and governance.
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Affiliation(s)
- S M Labib
- Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, 3584 CB Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Matthew H E M Browning
- Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, 29631, USA
| | - Alessandro Rigolon
- Department of City and Metropolitan Planning, The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Marco Helbich
- Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, 3584 CB Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Peter James
- Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, 401 Park Drive, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, 655 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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21
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Striving with Global Stress on a Local Level: Has the COVID-19 Pandemic Changed the Relationship between People and Nature? SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14159496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic had harsh consequences on human health and society across the globe. In addition to health effects, the pandemic also influenced people’s values, concerns, and ethics due to lockdowns and general limitations in societal activities. In this study, we examined changes in the relationship between people and nature caused by COVID-associated stress, as well as its consequences on life quality, by comparing questionnaire-based survey data before and during the pandemic. We found that the pandemic had positive effects on individual respondents’ relationships with nature. Respondents who were more affected by the pandemic rated their life quality lower than those who were less affected. In accordance, the pandemic had a negative effect on people’s life quality, especially for people living in areas where the environment (coastal water quality) was in poor condition. Our results support the prediction that environmental quality may buffer against global stress and improve societal wellbeing.
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22
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Kim UR, Sung H. Urban parks as a potential mitigator of suicide rates resulting from global pandemics: Empirical evidence from past experiences in Seoul, Korea. CITIES (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2022; 127:103725. [PMID: 35530723 PMCID: PMC9066293 DOI: 10.1016/j.cities.2022.103725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Globally, the increased suicide rate of the general population has become a concern not only because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but also because of its associated socioeconomic insecurity, loss of jobs, and economic shocks. This study employed robust fixed-effects panel models to empirically identify the mitigating effects of infectious diseases, via urban parks, on the suicide rate, and to examine gender differences in this regard, based on previous experiences in Seoul, Korea. We found that the differentiating mitigating effect did not significantly affect suicide rates during the 2015 MERS epidemic. However, during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, wherein the number of confirmed cases was very high and diffused nationwide, urban parks significantly reduced the suicide rates for both men and women. The role of parks as a mitigator was more enhanced in cities with a high number of confirmed cases if it was associated with economic shocks. However, this effect was significant only in the suicide rates of men, not women. During a pandemic, urban parks can help maintain social interaction and sustain physical activities (i.e., walking and exercise) while maintaining physical distance. National and local governments should develop urban parks to actively control the suicide rate influenced by movement restriction measures inevitably occurring during the spread of infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- U-Ram Kim
- Department of Urban and Regional Development, Graudate School of Urban Studies, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 04763, Korea
- Center for Housing Policy Research, Seoul Metropolitan Government, 04514, Korea
| | - Hyungun Sung
- Department of Urban and Regional Development, Graudate School of Urban Studies, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 04763, Korea
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23
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Lee KS, Min HS, Jeon JH, Choi YJ, Bang JH, Sung HK. The association between greenness exposure and COVID-19 incidence in South Korea: An ecological study. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 832:154981. [PMID: 35378185 PMCID: PMC8975592 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The rapid spread of COVID-19 has caused an emergency situation worldwide. Investigating the association between environmental characteristics and COVID-19 incidence can be of the occurrence and transmission. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between greenness exposure and COVID-19 cases at the district levels in South Korea. We also explored this association by considering several environmental indicators. METHODS District-level data from across South Korea were used to model the cumulative count of COVID-19 cases per 100,000 persons between January 20, 2020, and February 25, 2021. Greenness exposure data were derived from the Environmental Geographic Information Service of the Korean Ministry of Environment. A negative binomial mixed model evaluated the association between greenness exposure and COVID-19 incidence rate at the district level. Furthermore, we assessed this association between demographic, socioeconomic, environmental statuses, and COVID-19 incidence. RESULTS Data from 239 of 250 districts (95.6%) were included in the analyses, resulting in 127.89 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 persons between January 20, 2020 and February 25, 2021. Several demographic and socioeconomic variables, districts with a higher rate of natural greenness exposure, were significantly associated with lower COVID-19 incidence rates (incidence rate ratio (IRR), 0.70; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.54-0.90; P-value = 0.008) after adjusting covariates, but no evidence for the association between built greenness and COVID-19 incidence rates was found. CONCLUSION In this ecological study of South Korea, we found that higher rates of exposure to natural greenness were associated with lower rates of COVID-19 cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyung-Shin Lee
- Research Institute for Public Health, National Medical Center, Seoul 04564, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hye Sook Min
- Research Institute for Public Health, National Medical Center, Seoul 04564, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jae-Hyun Jeon
- Research Institute for Public Health, National Medical Center, Seoul 04564, Republic of Korea; Department of Infectious disease, National Medical Center, Seoul 04564, Republic of Korea.
| | - Yoon-Jung Choi
- National Cancer Center Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, Gyeonggi-do 10408, Republic of Korea.
| | - Ji Hwan Bang
- Office for the Central Infectious Disease Hospital, National Medical Center, Seoul 04564, Republic of Korea.
| | - Ho Kyung Sung
- Research Institute for Public Health, National Medical Center, Seoul 04564, Republic of Korea; National Emergency Medical Center, National Medical Center, Seoul 04564, Republic of Korea.
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24
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Adapting, surviving, discovering: Creative practitioners in the COVID-19 crisis. JOURNAL OF CREATIVITY 2022. [PMCID: PMC9380739 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjoc.2022.100027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
This study investigates how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the work and creative practice of individuals who identify as artists, producers or makers. Through qualitative, open-ended interviews, this research demonstrates that, regardless of the many obstacles creators had to face, the pandemic translated into an opportunity to advance new knowledge about themselves, their values and motivations, and identify how they would like to manage their creative practice in the future. The paper ends with three key findings. First, the challenges of this time prompted participants to generate new perceptions of their creative identity. Second, they often found a valuable connection to nature and ‘the great outdoors’ amid the pandemic. Third, the most pressing challenges they had to face were related to their mental health and financial stability.
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25
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Ueno Y, Kato S, Mase T, Funamoto Y, Hasegawa K. Human Flow Dataset Reveals Changes in Citizens’ Outing Behaviors including Greenspace Visits before and during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Kanazawa, Japan. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19148728. [PMID: 35886580 PMCID: PMC9322878 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19148728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Greenspaces, including parks, provide various socio-ecological benefits such as for aesthetics, temperature remediation, biodiversity conservation, and outdoor recreation. The health benefits of urban greenspaces have received particular attention since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has triggered various movement restrictions and lifestyle changes, including regarding the frequency of people’s visits to greenspaces. Using mobile-tracking GPS data of Kanazawa citizens, we explored how citizens’ behaviors with respect to outings changed before and during Japan’s declaration of a COVID-19 state of emergency (April–May 2020). We also examined citizens’ greenspace visits in relation to their travel distance from home. We found that Kanazawa citizens avoided going out during the pandemic, with a decrease in the number, time, and distance of outings. As for the means of transportation, the percentage of outings by foot increased on both weekdays and holidays. While citizens refrained from going out, the percentage change of the percentage in large greenspace visits increased very slightly in 2020. As for greenspace visitation in 2020 compared to 2019, we found that citizens generally visited greenspaces closer to their homes, actually increasing visitation of nearby (within 1000 m) greenspaces. This study of how outing behaviors and greenspace use by Kanazawa citizens have changed underscores the value of nearby greenspaces for physical and mental health during movement restrictions under the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Ueno
- Faculty of Bioresources and Environmental Sciences, Ishikawa Prefectural University, Nonoichi 921-8836, Japan; (Y.U.); (T.M.)
| | - Sadahisa Kato
- Faculty of Environmental Studies, Tottori University of Environmental Studies, Tottori 689-1111, Japan
- Correspondence:
| | - Tomoka Mase
- Faculty of Bioresources and Environmental Sciences, Ishikawa Prefectural University, Nonoichi 921-8836, Japan; (Y.U.); (T.M.)
| | - Yoji Funamoto
- Fukuyama Consultants Co., Ltd., Tokyo 101-0033, Japan;
- Social Value Incubation Lab., Tokyo 101-0033, Japan
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26
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Gender and sex differences in urban greenness' mental health benefits: A systematic review. Health Place 2022; 76:102864. [PMID: 35853366 DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2022.102864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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Influence of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Quality of Life, Mental Health, and Level of Physical Activity in Colombian University Workers: A Longitudinal Study. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11144104. [PMID: 35887867 PMCID: PMC9322187 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11144104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a strong influence on people’s quality of life, and the different restrictive measures during the phases of the pandemic have had consequences for physical and mental health. This study determined the changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL), sleep quality, depression symptoms (DS), and physical activity (PA) level of middle-aged Colombian university personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic. The analysis was performed following a longitudinal design on a sample of 354 people at four points before and during the pandemic. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), the SF-12v2, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (ZSDS) were included in an online survey. The measurements showed a decrease in quality of life with respect to PCS from 91.66 ± 10.78 to 83.64 ± 17.22 (p = 0.000) and MCS from 87.57 ± 12.23 to 80.90 ± 17.31, while poor sleep quality increased from 25.99% to 47.46% (p = 0.000), with DS reaching the peak during mandatory confinement (14.69%). Regarding the level of physical activity, the period of mandatory confinement inverted the proportion, highlighting active people as a minority (32.2%). In the multivariate analysis, we adjusted for age, sex, BMI, and socioeconomic level, discarding confounding effects and their interactions with the results obtained. In conclusion, this study showed that the pandemic has had a negative impact on sleep quality, HRQoL, DS, and PA level.
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28
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Outdoor Recreation Habits of People in Latvia: General Trends, and Changes during the COVID-19 Pandemic. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14148478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Outdoor recreation opportunities are crucial for sustaining people’s physical and mental health, and forests are important recreational venues in Europe, especially in its northern part. Our study sought to characterise outdoor recreation patterns and their changes in Latvia due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted a representative population survey with public participatory GIS elements that allowed the respondents to map their favoured recreation destinations. Our results revealed increased visitor numbers to nature areas during COVID-19. The main stated psychosocial factors behind the increased frequency of nature visits are health benefits and lower perceived risks in the context of the pandemic. Forests as areas simultaneously providing multiple ecosystem services have significant importance in providing space for outdoor recreation. Outdoor recreation hotspots concentrate around major urban areas and in some of the largest and most popular nature areas.
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29
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The Effect of COVID-19 on the Environmental Impact of Our Lifestyles and on Environmental Concern. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14148437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Since the beginning of 2020, the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic made it necessary to change our lifestyles (e.g., restrictions on transport or travelling and forced telework). This has also changed the environmental impact of our lifestyles. To quantify that impact, we used surveys to calculate the Ecological Footprint (EF) and environmental concern of Belgian respondents in 2021 and compared this to the EF-situation in 2017, before COVID-19. We observed that the EF became significantly lower during the COVID-19 crisis. Of course, this change in behaviour is the result of compulsory measures. Therefore, we asked about people’s willingness to reduce the EF permanently, particularly after COVID-19 and on a voluntary basis. We observed that, in 2021, respondents had a strong desire to return to a pre-COVID-19 lifestyle and that they are even less concerned about the environment than they were in the period before COVID-19. Moreover, these results hold after taking into account the effect of different explanatory variables in a multivariate analysis. As a general conclusion, there is little or no evidence that COVID-19 will fundamentally change the environmental impact of our behaviour or our environmental concern if there is no associated public intervention. There is a need for policies that make use of the potential created by COVID-19 (e.g., stimulate working from home and increased cycling).
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30
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Jo T, Sato M, Minamoto T, Ushimaru A. Valuing the cultural services from urban blue‐space ecosystems in Japanese megacities during the
COVID
‐19 pandemic. PEOPLE AND NATURE 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/pan3.10366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Toshiaki Jo
- Graduate School of Human Development and Environment Kobe University Kobe City Japan
- Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology Ryukoku University Otsu City Japan
- Ryukoku University Center for Biodiversity Science Otsu City Japan
| | - Masayuki Sato
- Graduate School of Human Development and Environment Kobe University Kobe City Japan
- Division of Life, Medical, Natural Sciences and Technology, Organization for Advanced and Integrated Research Kobe University Kobe City Japan
| | - Toshifumi Minamoto
- Graduate School of Human Development and Environment Kobe University Kobe City Japan
- Division of Life, Medical, Natural Sciences and Technology, Organization for Advanced and Integrated Research Kobe University Kobe City Japan
| | - Atushi Ushimaru
- Graduate School of Human Development and Environment Kobe University Kobe City Japan
- Division of Life, Medical, Natural Sciences and Technology, Organization for Advanced and Integrated Research Kobe University Kobe City Japan
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31
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Human-Nature Interactions during and after the COVID-19 Pandemic in Moscow, Russia: Exploring the Role of Contact with Nature and Main Lessons from the City Responses. LAND 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/land11060822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Urban green spaces (UGS) as essential elements of the urban environment provide multiple ecosystem services including benefits for physical and mental health. Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions have influenced human relationships with nature. Based on empirical research, this article explores the pathways and implications of human-nature interactions during and after COVID-19 and how human health and well-being could be supported by contact with nature. The article discusses the reasons that attract people to visit UGS (value of UGS, their perceptions, ways of contact with urban nature, etc.). It also analyses the effects of social isolation on the usage and perception of UGS during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The research revealed current needs for UGS and their role in adaptation of urban development and greening strategy. For this purpose, an online questionnaire survey among residents of Moscow was conducted in April–July of 2020 when restrictive measures were imposed in the city in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, non-participatory observations and photo documentation were used to supplement the data on UGS visitation and use. The GIS mapping method was applied to analyze the UGS provision (availability and accessibility of UGS). Moreover, expert interviews were conducted aiming to explore the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on the urban fabric and life of the citizens. The aim was to reveal the main tendencies that can be used in the adaptation of urban development plans, especially regarding UGS and human-nature interactions. The results show that citizens (both survey respondents and experts) highly value urban nature as a tool for coping with COVID-19 challenges. They underlined a need for accessible UGS, most notably for breathing fresh air, reducing stress, relaxing, and observing and enjoying nature. The survey also revealed the particular health effects resulting from the reduction of UGS visitations due to COVID-19 restrictions. Several changes in human-nature interactions were also observed: many respondents especially missed spending time outdoors and meeting other people. That highlights the fact that while UGS normally provides places for social integration and socializing, during the COVID-19 isolation UGS were especially valued in regard to physical health and well-being (self-recovery). Both respondents and experts expressed their opinions regarding the future development of UGS network and how the UGS’s structure and design should be adapted to the current challenges. The claimed interests/preferences included the need for providing all residents equal access to UGS in a time of pandemics and post pandemics. A set of limitations and directions for future research of UGS was suggested.
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County-Level Assessment of Vulnerability to COVID-19 in Alabama. ISPRS INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GEO-INFORMATION 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/ijgi11050320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has posed an unprecedented challenge to public health across the world and has further exposed health disparities and the vulnerability of marginal groups. Since the pandemic has exhibited marked regional differences, it is necessary to better understand the levels of vulnerability to the disease at local levels and provide policymakers with additional tools that will allow them to develop finely targeted policies. In this study, we develop for the State of Alabama (USA) a composite vulnerability index at county level that can be used as a tool that will help in the management of the pandemic. Twenty-four indicators were assigned to the following three categories: exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity. The resulting subindices were aggregated into a composite index that depicts the vulnerability to COVID-19. A multivariate analysis was used to assign factor loadings and weights to indicators, and the results were mapped using Geographic Information Systems. The vulnerability index captured health disparities very well. Many of the most vulnerable counties were found in the Alabama Black Belt region. A deconstruction of the overall index and subindices allowed the development of individual county profiles and the detection of local strengths and weaknesses. We expect the model developed in this study to be an efficient planning tool for decision-makers.
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Sung H, Kim WR, Oh J, Lee S, Lee PSH. Are All Urban Parks Robust to the COVID-19 Pandemic? Focusing on Type, Functionality, and Accessibility. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19106062. [PMID: 35627599 PMCID: PMC9141827 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19106062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Many people visited urban parks during the COVID-19 pandemic to reduce the negative effects of lack of physical activity, social isolation, anxiety, and depression. It is unclear whether all parks are robust against the pandemic, helping people sustain healthy daily living through the diverse activities within them. Nevertheless, few studies have identified the specific relationship between park visits and the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, this study aims to demonstrate how physical features such as type, functionality, and access influenced daily visiting to parks during the pandemic, using mobile phone data at a micro level. This study first classified urban parks as point-type parks with an area of less than 1 ha, plane-type parks with 1 ha or more, and line-type parks with elongated shapes, while measuring accessibility to residential, employment, transportation, and auxiliary facilities within the park. The study employed the multi-level regression model with random intercept to investigate the effects of differing park visits, focusing on Goyang city, South Korea. Our analysis results identified that easy access from home was more important than the park size during the pandemic. If we look at the types of parks, the use of both plane- and point-type parks increased more than that of line-type parks. However, line-type parks near homes, along with shopping and sports facilities, were found to be more robust to the pandemic. These findings can be informative to provide specific guidelines to fulfill the enhanced role of parks in sustaining public health during an infectious disease pandemic that may strike again.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyungun Sung
- Department of Urban and Regional Development, Graduate School of Urban Studies, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 04763, Korea; (H.S.); (W.-R.K.); (J.O.)
| | - Woo-Ram Kim
- Department of Urban and Regional Development, Graduate School of Urban Studies, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 04763, Korea; (H.S.); (W.-R.K.); (J.O.)
| | - Jiyeon Oh
- Department of Urban and Regional Development, Graduate School of Urban Studies, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 04763, Korea; (H.S.); (W.-R.K.); (J.O.)
| | - Samsu Lee
- Land and Housing Institute, Daejeon 34047, Korea;
| | - Peter Sang-Hoon Lee
- Department of Urban and Regional Development, Graduate School of Urban Studies, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 04763, Korea; (H.S.); (W.-R.K.); (J.O.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-10-3327-1615
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34
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Rapidly Quantifying Interior Greenery Using 360° Panoramic Images. FORESTS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/f13040602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Many people spend the majority of their time indoors and there is emerging evidence that interior greenery contributes to human wellbeing. Accurately capturing the amount of interior greenery is an important first step in studying its contribution to human well-being. In this study, we evaluated the accuracy of interior greenery captured using 360° panoramic images taken within a range of different interior spaces. We developed an Interior Green View Index (iGVI) based on a K-means clustering algorithm to estimate interior greenery from 360° panoramic images taken within 66 interior spaces and compared these estimates with interior greenery measured manually from the same panoramic images. Interior greenery estimated using the automated method ranged from 0% to 34.19% of image pixels within the sampled interior spaces. Interior greenery estimated using the automated method was highly correlated (r = 0.99) with interior greenery measured manually, although we found the accuracy of the automated method compared with the manual method declined with the volume and illuminance of interior spaces. The results suggested that our automated method for extracting interior greenery from 360° panoramic images is a useful tool for rapidly estimating interior greenery in all but very large and highly illuminated interior spaces.
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35
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Colléony A, Clayton S, Shwartz A. Impacts of nature deprivations during the COVID-19 pandemic: A pre-post comparison. BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION 2022; 268:109520. [PMID: 35308780 PMCID: PMC8924002 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2022.109520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Nature provides a myriad of intangible and non-material services to people. However, urbanites are increasingly disconnected from the natural world. The consequences of this progressive disconnection from nature remain difficult to measure as this process is slow and long-term monitoring or large-scale manipulation on nature experiences are scarce. Measures to contain the spread of the recent COVID-19 pandemic (i.e., lockdowns) have potentially reduced or even suppressed nature experiences in cities. This situation provided an opportunity for conducting a longitudinal study that can serve as a sort of natural experiment to quantify the effects of nature deprivation on individuals' health, well-being and relationship to nature. We collected data on these variables from the same individuals inhabiting a large metropolis (Tel Aviv, Israel) twice, in 2018 (before) and during the lockdown in 2020. Our results confirmed that frequency, duration and quality of nature interactions dropped during the lockdown, while environmental attitudes and affinity towards nature remained similar. This was particularly true for people living in the least green neighborhoods, where a significant decrease in personal and social well-being was also found. Finally, affinity towards nature influenced well-being through nature experiences in 2018. The mediation effect was not significant in 2020, probably due to the decrease in nature experiences during the lockdown, but the direct relationship between affinity towards nature and well-being remained strong. These results provide insights into the means required to align the public health and conservation agendas to safeguard urbanites' health and well-being during a pandemic and mitigate the biodiversity crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agathe Colléony
- Human and Biodiversity Research Lab, Faculty of Architecture and Town Planning, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
| | - Susan Clayton
- Department of Psychology, College of Wooster, 1189 Beall Avenue, Wooster, OH 44691, United States
| | - Assaf Shwartz
- Human and Biodiversity Research Lab, Faculty of Architecture and Town Planning, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
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36
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Larson LR, Mullenbach LE, Browning MHEM, Rigolon A, Thomsen J, Metcalf EC, Reigner NP, Sharaievska I, McAnirlin O, D'Antonio A, Cloutier S, Helbich M, Labib SM. Greenspace and park use associated with less emotional distress among college students in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 204:112367. [PMID: 34774510 PMCID: PMC8648327 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.112367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected many people's psychological health. Impacts may be particularly severe among socially vulnerable populations such as college students, a group predisposed to mental health problems. Outdoor recreation and visits to greenspaces such as parks offer promising pathways for addressing the mental health challenges associated with COVID-19. During the early stages of the pandemic (March-May 2020), we surveyed 1280 college students at four large public universities across the United States (U.S.) to assess how, and why, outdoor recreation and park use changed since the emergence of COVID-19. We also measured students' self-reported levels of emotional distress (a proxy for psychological health) and assessed potential demographic and contextual correlates of distress, including county-level per capita park area and greenness, using generalized linear models. We found that 67% of students reported limiting outdoor activities and 54% reported reducing park use during the pandemic. Students who reduced their use of outdoor spaces cited structural reasons (e.g., lockdowns), concerns about viral transmission, and negative emotions that obstructed active lifestyles. Students who maintained pre-pandemic park use levels expressed a desire to be outdoors in nature, often with the explicit goal of improving mental and physical health. Emotional distress among students was widespread. Models showed higher levels of emotional distress were associated with reducing park use during the pandemic and residing in counties with a smaller area of parks per capita. This study of U.S. college students supports the value of park-based recreation as a health promotion strategy for diverse populations of young adults during a time of crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lincoln R Larson
- Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism Management, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA.
| | - Lauren E Mullenbach
- Department of Geography & Environmental Sustainability, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, 73019, USA
| | - Matthew H E M Browning
- Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism Management, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, 29634, USA.
| | - Alessandro Rigolon
- Department of City and Metropolitan Planning, The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA.
| | - Jennifer Thomsen
- Franke College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, 59812, USA.
| | | | - Nathan P Reigner
- College of Health and Human Development, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, 16801, USA.
| | - Iryna Sharaievska
- Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism Management, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, 29634, USA.
| | - Olivia McAnirlin
- Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism Management, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, 29634, USA.
| | - Ashley D'Antonio
- Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97330, USA. Ashley.D'
| | - Scott Cloutier
- School of Sustainability, The College of Global Futures, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85281, USA.
| | - Marco Helbich
- Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, 3584, CB, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - S M Labib
- Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, 3584, CB, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Centre for Diet and Activity Research, MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern, Ireland.
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37
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Yap KKL, Soh MCK, Sia A, Chin WJ, Araib S, Ang WP, Tan PY, Er KBH. The influence of the
COVID
‐19 pandemic on the demand for different shades of green. PEOPLE AND NATURE 2022; 4:505-518. [PMID: 35571335 PMCID: PMC9088662 DOI: 10.1002/pan3.10304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
COVID‐19 has heightened the dependence of urban dwellers on cultural ecosystem services provided by urban green spaces (UGS), specifically in regard to the provision of recreational opportunities, and psychological and physical health benefits arising from their use. As different types and levels of cultural ecosystem services are provided by different types of UGS, people may seek out different UGS to satisfy personal needs over various phases of COVID‐19 mobility restrictions imposed by cities. We report on a study that took advantage of the different phases of COVID‐19 mobility restrictions to assess the demand for and perception of different types of UGS in Singapore. The study utilised four datasets to compare demand for and visitorship patterns of UGS before the pandemic (Pre‐Circuit Breaker), the duration of the strictest mobility restrictions (Circuit Breaker), and after the measures were relaxed (Post‐Circuit Breaker). We used Google Search trends as a proxy for UGS demand, Google mobility data for an overview of population visitorship trends, visitor counts for granular insights on actual visitorship trends, and qualitative data on perception of parks by park visitors after restrictions eased. Parks were categorised as manicured and less manicured UGS for analysis. Search interest for UGS overall fell by more than 50% from during Circuit Breaker but the post‐Circuit Breaker levels exceeded pre‐Circuit Breaker, with a 70.9% increase for less manicured UGS compared to 20.8% for manicured UGS. This corroborated with Google mobility and visitor counts, which showed a steep decrease in park use followed by a rapid increase in the same periods, and with increased visitorship in the less manicured UGS. The perception study also showed that more than 50% of respondents reported visiting parks that they have never visited before, and there was a greater appreciation and use of UGS after the pandemic and preference for less manicured and more naturalistic landscapes. The pandemic has heightened the demand for cultural ecosystem services provided by UGS. Our study showed that this demand is not uniform across different types of UGS, with an increase visitorship and preference for less manicured green spaces.
Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Malcolm C. K. Soh
- National Parks BoardSingapore Botanical GardensSingapore CitySingapore
| | - Angelia Sia
- National Parks BoardSingapore Botanical GardensSingapore CitySingapore
| | - Wei Jun Chin
- National Parks BoardSingapore Botanical GardensSingapore CitySingapore
| | - Sophianne Araib
- National Parks BoardSingapore Botanical GardensSingapore CitySingapore
| | - Wei Ping Ang
- National Parks BoardSingapore Botanical GardensSingapore CitySingapore
| | - Puay Yok Tan
- National Parks BoardSingapore Botanical GardensSingapore CitySingapore
| | - Kenneth B. H. Er
- National Parks BoardSingapore Botanical GardensSingapore CitySingapore
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38
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Sia A, Tan PY, Wong JCM, Araib S, Ang WF, Er KBH. The impact of gardening on mental resilience in times of stress: A case study during the COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore. URBAN FORESTRY & URBAN GREENING 2022; 68:127448. [PMID: 34961812 PMCID: PMC8695851 DOI: 10.1016/j.ufug.2021.127448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
To curb the spread of Covid-19, Singapore, like other cities, had to impose movement restriction and social distancing measures that may affect the well-being of its residents. In this paper, we assessed the potential benefits of gardening on the mental well-being of Singapore residents, based on the concept of mental resilience. We hypothesized that gardening activities promote mental resilience. A survey was administered on 8,786 participants of a "Gardening with Edibles" programme, measuring their mental resilience status, engagement in gardening activities and socio-demographic information. The mental resilience scores of participants who engaged in weekly gardening were compared with the scores derived from another survey conducted during the pandemic on an online community comprising demographically representative respondents with an interest on Covid-19 related community care. The results showed that the mental resilience of those who gardened was statistically significantly higher than the online community. Within the gardening group, those with less than one hour of weekly gardening time had significantly lower scores in their total mental resilience, and five out of seven resilience factors, "emotional regulation", "relationship", "confidence", "positive thinking" and "spirituality", compared to those with more weekly gardening time, showing that the efficacy of the mediating effects may peak at a weekly gardening time of between one to four hours. Home gardening may be an effective way for people living in densely populated cities to interact with nature and build mental resilience during the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelia Sia
- National Parks Board, Singapore, 1 Cluny Road, Singapore Botanic Gardens, 259569, Singapore
- National University of Singapore, Department of Psychological Medicine, NUHS Tower Block, Level 9, 1E Kent Ridge Road, 119228, Singapore
| | - Puay Yok Tan
- National Parks Board, Singapore, 1 Cluny Road, Singapore Botanic Gardens, 259569, Singapore
| | - John Chee Meng Wong
- National University of Singapore, Department of Psychological Medicine, NUHS Tower Block, Level 9, 1E Kent Ridge Road, 119228, Singapore
| | - Sophianne Araib
- National Parks Board, Singapore, 1 Cluny Road, Singapore Botanic Gardens, 259569, Singapore
| | - Wee Foong Ang
- National Parks Board, Singapore, 1 Cluny Road, Singapore Botanic Gardens, 259569, Singapore
| | - Kenneth Boon Hwee Er
- National Parks Board, Singapore, 1 Cluny Road, Singapore Botanic Gardens, 259569, Singapore
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39
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Egerer M, Lin B, Kingsley J, Marsh P, Diekmann L, Ossola A. Gardening can relieve human stress and boost nature connection during the COVID-19 pandemic. URBAN FORESTRY & URBAN GREENING 2022; 68:127483. [PMID: 35069065 PMCID: PMC8767951 DOI: 10.1016/j.ufug.2022.127483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has severely disrupted social life. Gardens and yards have seemingly risen as a lifeline during the pandemic. Here, we investigated the relationship between people and gardening during the COVID-19 pandemic and what factors influenced the ability of people to garden. We examined survey responses (n = 3,743) from gardeners who reported how the pandemic had affected personal motivations to garden and their use of their gardens, alongside pandemic-related challenges, such as food access during the first wave of COVID-19 (May-Aug 2020). The results show that for the respondents, gardening was overwhelmingly important for nature connection, individual stress release, outdoor physical activity and food provision. The importance of food provision and economic security were also important for those facing greater hardships from the pandemic. While the literature on gardening has long shown the multiple benefits of gardening, we report on these benefits during a global pandemic. More research is needed to capture variations in public sentiment and practice - including those who do little gardening, have less access to land, and reside in low-income communities particularly in the global south. Nevertheless, we argue that gardening can be a public health strategy, readily accessible to boost societal resilience to disturbances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Egerer
- Department of Life Science Systems, School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Hans Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, 85354, Freising, Germany
| | - Brenda Lin
- CSIRO Land & Water, GPO Box 2583, Brisbane, QLD, 4001, Australia
| | - Jonathan Kingsley
- School of Health Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, 12 Wakefield Street (Swinburne Place West), Hawthorn, Victoria, 3122, Australia
- Centre of Urban Transitions, Swinburne University of Technology, Level 1 EW Building, Hawthorn, Victoria, 3122, Australia
| | - Pauline Marsh
- Centre for Rural Health, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia
| | - Lucy Diekmann
- University of California Cooperative Extension, 1553 Berger Dr., San Jose, CA, 95112, USA
| | - Alessandro Ossola
- University of California, Davis, CA, USA
- Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
- University of Melbourne, Australia
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40
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Implications of COVID-19 Mitigation Policies for National Well-Being: A Systems Perspective. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su14010433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The ongoing COVID-19 crisis and measures aimed at curbing the pandemic have a widespread impact on various aspects of well-being, such as housing, social connections, and others. Moreover, COVID-19 does not affect all population groups equally. This study analyzes the impact of major COVID-19 non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) on a set of national well-being indicators from the most recent version of the OECD Well-Being Framework. Using causal loop diagrams (systems maps), we consider direct and indirect effects of these policies on various components of the national well-being system. Our results show that business closures directly and/or indirectly impact more national well-being components than any other policy. The most affected national well-being components by all policies are life satisfaction, perceived health, and prevalence of depressive symptoms. In addition, we specify how the impact of the anti-pandemic measures differs for various population strata, using the degree of income and employment loss as key stratifying variables. Our insights can be helpful to identify and promote measures that can alleviate the adverse effects of the COVID-19 crisis on the national well-being.
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Sentiment Analysis of Comments of American Birders during Two Waves of the COVID-19 Pandemic Reveal More Negative Sentiments in the Context of Birding. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph182413142. [PMID: 34948751 PMCID: PMC8701952 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182413142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Human-nature relationships are an important aspect of leisure research. Previous studies also reported that nature-related activities have a health benefit. In this study, we surveyed US-American birdwatchers at two time points during the COVID pandemic (independent samples). During the beginning of the COVID pandemic in spring 2020, we analyzed their comments with an AI sentiment analysis. Approximately one year later (winter 2020/21), during the second wave, the study was repeated, and a second data set was analyzed. Here we show that during the ongoing pandemic, the sentiments became more negative. This is an important result because it shows that despite the positive impact of nature on mental health, the sentiments become more negative in the enduring pandemic.
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Beery T, Olsson MR, Vitestam M. Covid-19 and outdoor recreation management: Increased participation, connection to nature, and a look to climate adaptation. JOURNAL OF OUTDOOR RECREATION AND TOURISM 2021; 36:100457. [PMID: 38620956 PMCID: PMC8577850 DOI: 10.1016/j.jort.2021.100457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 08/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Outdoor recreation management perspectives were investigated based on the general perception of increased public outdoor recreation participation during the Covid-19 pandemic and supported by survey research at local, regional, and national levels in Sweden. There is an interest in how outdoor recreation professionals perceived outdoor recreation by the public during the pandemic and whether professionals could identify specific implications from the Covid-19/outdoor recreation experience. Climate adaptation literature supports the idea that current global challenge coupled with projections for ongoing challenge requires a pro-active approach; this turn to climate adaptation for potential consideration or guidance is based on characteristics that the Covid-19 pandemic shares with climate change. Outdoor recreational professionals' review of a recent public survey and subsequent semi-structured interviews with this group were conducted to obtain outdoor recreation professionals' detailed perceptions on survey outcomes. Results show that the professionals confirm a rapid and significant increase in outdoor recreation participation. Further, professionals identified critical trends in the increase of new or inexperienced outdoor recreation participants. A positive and proactive list of implications emerged as themes of the interviews. A review and synthesis of the themes support the national goals for outdoor recreation in Sweden. Further, results indicate a current opportunity for outdoor recreation to address concerns for diminishing nature experience and support connectedness to nature. The connectedness to nature outcome further strengthens the comparison with climate adaptation strategy given the potential relationship between connectedness to nature and pro-environmental behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Beery
- Kristianstad University, School of Education, Sweden
| | | | - Moa Vitestam
- Kristianstad University, School of Natural Sciences, Sweden
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Pramova E, Locatelli B, Valdivia‐Díaz M, Vallet A, Quispe Conde Y, Djoudi H, Colloff MJ, Bousquet F, Tassin J, Munera Roldan C. Sensing, feeling, thinking: Relating to nature with the body, heart and mind. PEOPLE AND NATURE 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/pan3.10286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Bruno Locatelli
- CIFOR Lima Peru
- CIRAD, Forests and Societies Université de Montpellier Montpellier France
| | | | - Améline Vallet
- Ecologie Systématique Evolution AgroParisTech CNRS Université Paris‐Sud Université Paris‐Saclay Orsay France
- CIRED AgroParisTech Cirad CNRS EHESS Ecole des Ponts ParisTech Nogent‐sur‐Marne France
| | | | | | - Matthew J. Colloff
- Fenner School of Environment and Society Australian National University ACT Canberra Australia
| | | | - Jacques Tassin
- CIRAD, Forests and Societies Université de Montpellier Montpellier France
| | - Claudia Munera Roldan
- Fenner School of Environment and Society Australian National University ACT Canberra Australia
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Has COVID-19 Lockdown Affected on Air Quality?—Different Time Scale Case Study in Wrocław, Poland. ATMOSPHERE 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/atmos12121549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there are series of negative economic consequences, however, in limiting mobility and reducing the number of vehicles, positive effects can also be observed, i.e., improvement of air quality. The paper presents an analysis of air quality measured by concentrations of NO2, NOx and PM2.5 during the most restrictive lockdown from 10 March to 31 May 2020 on the case of Wrocław. The results were compared with the reference period—2016–2019. A significant reduction in traffic volume was identified, on average by 26.3%. The greatest reduction in the concentration of NO2 and NOx was recorded at the station farthest from the city center, characterized by the lowest concentrations: 20.1% and 22.4%. Lower reduction in the average concentrations of NO2 and NOx was recorded at the municipal station (7.9% and 7.7%) and the communication station (6.7% and 10.2%). Concentrations of PMs in 2020 were on average 15% and 13.4% lower than in the reference period for the traffic station and the background station. The long-term impact of the lockdown on air quality was also examined. The analysis of the concentrations of the pollutants throughout 2020, and in the analyzed period of 2021, indicated that the reduction of concentrations and the improvement in air quality caused by the restrictions should be considered as a temporary anomaly, without affecting long-term changes and trends.
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Teixeira A, Gabriel R, Martinho J, Pinto G, Quaresma L, Faria A, Oliveira I, Moreira H. Connectedness to Nature Does Not Explain the Variation in Physical Activity and Body Composition in Adults and Older People. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:11951. [PMID: 34831707 PMCID: PMC8619523 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182211951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Connectedness to nature (CN) is a significant predictor of pro-environmental behaviours, human health and well-being. However, research on how this connection to the natural world might promote a more active lifestyle and improve body mass composition according to gender is lacking. This study investigated the influence of CN on physical activity (PA) and body composition in adults and older people. We recruited a sample of 219 individuals (77 men and 142 women), and a self-administered questionnaire was used to measure CN and obtain demographic data. Body composition was assessed by bioimpedance, and PA was assessed by accelerometry. Correlations and stepwise multiple regressions were used in data analysis. CN's association with other variables was more pronounced in women than in men, and we only identified significant associations with steps/day and body composition. However, this variable would not be included in the regression models that we developed. Adiposity levels and muscle status were significant predictors of PA in women. In both genders, age, percentage of fat mass and fat-free mass were selected as regressors in the models developed for visceral fat area and muscle condition (R2 Adjusted ≥ 0.908).
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreia Teixeira
- University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Ronaldo Gabriel
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), Department of Sports Science, Exercise and Health, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal;
| | - José Martinho
- Geosciences Centre (CGeo), Department of Geology, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal;
| | - Graça Pinto
- Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development (CIDESD), Department of Sports Science, Exercise and Health, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal;
| | - Luís Quaresma
- Department of Sports Science, Exercise and Health, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal;
| | - Aurélio Faria
- Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development (CIDESD), Department of Sport Science, University of Beira Interior, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal;
| | - Irene Oliveira
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), Department of Mathematics, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal;
- Center for Computational and Stochastic Mathematics, CEMAT-IST-UL, University of Lisbon, 1600-214 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Helena Moreira
- Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development (CIDESD), Department of Sports, Exercise and Health Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), Department of Sports, Exercise and Health Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
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Mikula P, Jokimäki J, Kaisanlahti-Jokimäki ML, Markó G, Morelli F, Møller AP, Szakony S, Yosef R, Albrecht T, Tryjanowski P. Face mask-wear did not affect large-scale patterns in escape and alertness of urban and rural birds during the COVID-19 pandemic. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 793:148672. [PMID: 34328996 PMCID: PMC8223025 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
Actions taken against the COVID-19 pandemic have dramatically affected many aspects of human activity, giving us a unique opportunity to study how wildlife responds to the human-induced rapid environmental changes. The wearing of face masks, widely adopted to prevent pathogen transmission, represents a novel element in many parts of the world where wearing a face mask was rare before the COVID-19 outbreak. During September 2020-March 2021, we conducted large-scale multi-species field experiments to evaluate whether face mask-use in public places elicits a behavioural response in birds by comparing their escape and alert responses when approached by a researcher with or without a face mask in four European countries (Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary, and Poland) and Israel. We also tested whether these patterns differed between urban and rural sites. We employed Bayesian generalized linear mixed models (with phylogeny and site as random factors) controlling for a suite of covariates and found no association between the face mask-wear and flight initiation distance, alert distance, and fly-away distance, respectively, neither in urban nor in rural birds. However, we found that all three distances were strongly and consistently associated with habitat type and starting distance, with birds showing earlier escape and alert behaviour and longer distances fled when approached in rural than in urban habitats and from longer initial distances. Our results indicate that wearing face masks did not trigger observable changes in antipredator behaviour across the Western Palearctic birds, and our data did not support the role of habituation in explaining this pattern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Mikula
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Květná 8, 603 65 Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Jukka Jokimäki
- Arctic Centre, University of Lapland, PO Box 122, 96101 Rovaniemi, Finland
| | | | - Gábor Markó
- Behavioural Ecology Group, Department of Systematic Zoology and Ecology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C, 1117 Budapest, Hungary; Department of Plant Pathology, Institute of Plant Protection, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Ménesi út 44, 1118 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Federico Morelli
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00 Praha 6, Czech Republic; Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Zielona Góra, Prof. Z. Szafrana St. 1, PL-65-516 Zielona Góra, Poland
| | - Anders Pape Møller
- Ecologie Systématique Evolution, Université Paris-Sud, CNRS, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, Orsay Cedex F-91405, France; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Sciences and Ecological Engineering, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Sára Szakony
- Department of Ecology, Institute of Biology, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, Rottenbiller u. 50, Budapest H-1077, Hungary
| | - Reuven Yosef
- Ben Gurion University of the Negev Eilat Campus, P. O. Box 272, Eilat 88000, Israel
| | - Tomáš Albrecht
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Květná 8, 603 65 Brno, Czech Republic; Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, Praha 12844, Czech Republic
| | - Piotr Tryjanowski
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00 Praha 6, Czech Republic; Department of Zoology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 71C, 60-625 Poznań, Poland
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Friedman S, Imrie S, Fink E, Gedikoglu M, Hughes C. Understanding changes to children's connection to nature during the COVID-19 pandemic and implications for child well-being. PEOPLE AND NATURE 2021; 4:155-165. [PMID: 34909606 PMCID: PMC8661645 DOI: 10.1002/pan3.10270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
While psychological connection to nature is known to be associated with both pro‐environmental behaviours and well‐being, there is an urgent need to extend this research to consider impacts from the COVID‐19 lockdown period. Examining whether children's connection to nature changed during this period, identifying the drivers of these changes and determining the links between connection to nature and child well‐being can each serve to guide post‐lockdown initiatives to promote children's connection to nature. Three findings emerged from this UK sample of 376 families with young children. First, nearly two thirds of parents reported a change (most typically, an increase) in their child's connection to nature. Explanations for this increase included having more time, increased enjoyment of nature and increased awareness or interest in nature. Second, a third of children whose connection to nature decreased during the pandemic displayed increased problems of well‐being—manifest as either ‘acting out’ (externalising problems) or sadness/anxiety (internalising problems). Third, an increase in connection to nature during the pandemic was more evident for children from affluent families than for their less affluent peers. While connecting to nature may be an effective means of addressing child problems of well‐being, the divergent findings for children from different family backgrounds indicate that efforts to enhance connection to nature should focus on the barriers experienced by children from less affluent families.
A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article. A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Susan Imrie
- Centre for Family Research University of Cambridge Cambridge UK
| | - Elian Fink
- School of Psychology University of Sussex Sussex UK
| | - Mina Gedikoglu
- Centre for Family Research University of Cambridge Cambridge UK
| | - Claire Hughes
- Centre for Family Research University of Cambridge Cambridge UK
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Thurstan RH, Hockings KJ, Hedlund JSU, Bersacola E, Collins C, Early R, Ermiasi Y, Fleischer‐Dogley F, Gilkes G, Harrison ME, Imron MA, Kaiser‐Bunbury CN, Refly Katoppo D, Marriott C, Muzungaile M, Nuno A, Regalla de Barros A, van Veen F, Wijesundara I, Dogley D, Bunbury N. Envisioning a resilient future for biodiversity conservation in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. PEOPLE AND NATURE 2021; 3:990-1013. [PMID: 34909607 PMCID: PMC8661774 DOI: 10.1002/pan3.10262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect societies across the world, the ongoing economic and social disruptions are likely to present fundamental challenges for current and future biodiversity conservation.We review the literature for outcomes of past major societal, political, economic and zoonotic perturbations on biodiversity conservation, and demonstrate the complex implications of perturbation events upon conservation efforts. Building on the review findings, we use six in-depth case studies and the emerging literature to identify positive and negative outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic, known and anticipated, for biodiversity conservation efforts around the world.A number of similarities exist between the current pandemic and past perturbations, with experiences highlighting that the pandemic-induced declines in conservation revenue and capacity, livelihood and trade disruptions are likely to have long-lasting and negative implications for biodiversity and conservation efforts.Yet, the COVID-19 pandemic also brought about a global pause in human movement that is unique in recent history, and may yet foster long-lasting behavioural and societal changes, presenting opportunities to strengthen and advance conservation efforts in the wake of the pandemic. Enhanced collaborations and partnerships at the local level, cross-sectoral engagement, local investment and leadership will all enhance the resilience of conservation efforts in the face of future perturbations. Other actions aimed at enhancing resilience will require fundamental institutional change and extensive government and public engagement and support if they are to be realised.The pandemic has highlighted the inherent vulnerabilities in the social and economic models upon which many conservation efforts are based. In so doing, it presents an opportunity to reconsider the status quo for conservation, and promotes behaviours and actions that are resilient to future perturbation. A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth H. Thurstan
- Centre for Ecology and ConservationCollege of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK
| | - Kimberley J. Hockings
- Centre for Ecology and ConservationCollege of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK
| | - Johanna S. U. Hedlund
- Centre for Ecology and ConservationCollege of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK
- Department of BiologyLund UniversityLundSweden
| | - Elena Bersacola
- Centre for Ecology and ConservationCollege of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK
| | - Claire Collins
- Centre for Ecology and ConservationCollege of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK
- Institute of ZoologyZoological Society of LondonLondonUK
| | - Regan Early
- Centre for Ecology and ConservationCollege of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK
| | - Yunsiska Ermiasi
- Yayasan Borneo Nature IndonesiaCentral KalimantanPalangka RayaIndonesia
| | | | | | - Mark E. Harrison
- Centre for Ecology and ConservationCollege of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK
- Borneo Nature Foundation InternationalTremough Innovation CentrePenrynUK
- School of Geography, Geology and the EnvironmentUniversity of LeicesterLeicesterUK
| | | | | | | | | | - Marie‐May Muzungaile
- Biodiversity Conservation and Management DivisionMinistry of Environment, Energy and Climate ChangeVictoriaRepublic of Seychelles
| | - Ana Nuno
- Centre for Ecology and ConservationCollege of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Social Sciences (CICS.NOVA)School of Social Sciences and Humanities (NOVA FCSH)NOVA University LisbonLisboaPortugal
| | - Aissa Regalla de Barros
- Instituto da Biodiversidade e das Áreas ProtegidasDr. Alfredo Simão da Silva (IBAP)BissauGuiné‐Bissau
| | - Frank van Veen
- Centre for Ecology and ConservationCollege of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK
| | | | | | - Nancy Bunbury
- Centre for Ecology and ConservationCollege of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK
- Seychelles Islands FoundationVictoriaRepublic of Seychelles
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Marques P, Silva AS, Quaresma Y, Manna LR, de Magalhães Neto N, Mazzoni R. Home gardens can be more important than other urban green infrastructure for mental well-being during COVID-19 pandemics. URBAN FORESTRY & URBAN GREENING 2021; 64:127268. [PMID: 34493938 PMCID: PMC8414053 DOI: 10.1016/j.ufug.2021.127268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The current COVID-19 pandemics is a major threat to human populations. The disease has rapidly spread, causing mass hospitalization and the loss of millions of people mainly in urban areas which are hubs for contagion. At the same time, the social distancing practices required for containing the outbreak have caused an eruption of mental illnesses that include symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress. The severity of such mental distress is modulated by the context of media coverage and the information and guidelines from local health authorities. Different urban green infrastructures, such as gardens, parks, and green views can be important for mitigating mental distress during the pandemics. However, it is unclear whether some urban green infrastructures are more efficient than others in reducing mental distress or whether their effectiveness changes with the context. Here we assess the relative importance of different urban green infrastructures on the mental distress of residents of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. We show that although urban parks and green views are important, home gardens are the most efficient in mitigating mental distress. This is likely related to the practice of self-isolation seen for the residents of Rio de Janeiro. Information on the efficiency of different urban green infrastructures in mitigating mental distress can be important to help guide programs to inform the public about the best practices for maintaining mental health during the current outbreak. This can also help planning cities that are more resilient to future pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piatã Marques
- Departamento de Ecologia, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rua São Francisco Xavier 524, Maracanã, 20550-013, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Andrey Santos Silva
- Departamento de Ecologia, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rua São Francisco Xavier 524, Maracanã, 20550-013, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Yane Quaresma
- Departamento de Ecologia, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rua São Francisco Xavier 524, Maracanã, 20550-013, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Luisa Resende Manna
- Departamento de Ecologia, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rua São Francisco Xavier 524, Maracanã, 20550-013, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Newton de Magalhães Neto
- Instituto de Geografia, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rua São Francisco Xavier 524, Maracanã, 20550-013, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rosana Mazzoni
- Departamento de Ecologia, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rua São Francisco Xavier 524, Maracanã, 20550-013, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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