Nature-Based Citizen Science as a Mechanism to Improve Human Health in Urban Areas

Abstract

The world is becoming increasingly urbanised, impacting human interactions with natural environments (NEs). NEs take a number of forms, ranging from pristine, modified, to built NEs, which are common in many urban areas. NEs may include nature-based solutions, such as introducing nature elements and biological processes into cities that are used to solve problems created by urbanisation. Whilst urbanisation has negative impacts on human health, impacting mental and physical wellbeing through a number of mechanisms, exposure to NEs may improve human health and wellbeing. Here, we review the mechanisms by which health can be improved by exposure to NEs, as explained by Stress Reduction Theory, Attention Restoration Theory, and the ‘Old Friends’/biodiversity hypothesis. Such exposures may have physiological and immunological benefits, mediated through endocrine pathways and altered microbiota. Citizen Science, which often causes exposure to NEs and social activity, is being increasingly used to not only collect scientific data but also to engage individuals and communities. Despite being a named component of scientific and environmental strategies of governments, to our knowledge, the intrinsic health benefits of Citizen Science in NEs do not form part of public health policy. We contend that Citizen Science programs that facilitate exposure to NEs in urban areas may represent an important public health policy advance.

Online, Experiential Sustainability Education Can Improve Students’ Self-Reported Environmental Attitudes, Behaviours and Wellbeing

“…It seems that in situ, experiential learning or 'getting to know' individual species can increase motivation to protect them [66]. Further to this, nature-based citizen science projects have the potential to improve participants' wellbeing, and mental health through increased interaction with other people and can improve "cognitive outcomes particularly among older participants" [29]. Phillips et al [65] (p.11) highlight that nature-based learning in the form of citizen science can be "natural conduits for affecting behaviour change".…”

“…today my kids and I walked around the botanical gardens, and I found myself pointing out all the birdlife and their habitat". Observing and 'actively noticing' the nature around us can support both nature connectedness and pro-environmental behaviours [53,58], which can go on to benefit wellbeing [26][27][28][29].…”

“…The concept of 'nature connection', also known as nature relatedness and human-nature connection, can be thought of as having three main components: emotional/place attachment, cognitive/philosophical and experiential connection with nature [20,21]. Several studies have found that people's connection to nature is a predictor of pro-environmental behaviour [22][23][24][25] and is also linked with improved wellbeing and quality of life [26][27][28][29]. The challenge, then, is to find educational approaches that are effective in increasing people's connection to nature to achieve positive sustainability outcomes for the environment and wellbeing.…”

Perspectives on Inequity and Health Disparities in Chile and Their Relationship to Microbial Ecology

“…Interventions targeting the gut microbiome could diminish health inequities and be part of—or complementary to—broader policy development. An increasing volume of research is suggesting that biodiverse urban greenspaces (BUGS) improve urban dweller’s microbiomes with positive consequences for health ( 69 – 71 ). Or as the microbiome rewilding hypothesis purports, “restoring biodiverse habitats in urban green spaces can rewild the environmental microbiome to a state that enhances primary prevention of human disease” ( 72 ).…”

Linking school based monitoring to land and water decision-making in the Nechako watershed

“…Structuring SBM sessions to allow for social interaction among youth and adults is also important for fostering collective action (Bodin & Crona, 2009), and harnessing the health and well-being benefits of CS (Williams et al, 2022). Participants spoke about how the mentorship program fostered social interaction and built leadership skills in youth.…”