Georgina E. Southon|Anna Jørgensen|Nigel Dunnett|Helen Hoyle|Karl L. Evans
Perceived species-richness in urban green spaces: Cues, accuracy and well-being impacts
University of Sheffield|University of Sheffield|University of Sheffield|University of Sheffield|University of Sheffield
evidence urban greenspace promotes health wellbeing urban residents increasing role biodiversity unclear perceived biodiversity may important accurately perceived factors influencing accuracy poorly understood use experimental perennial urban meadows southern england investigate impact creating biodiverse habitats greenspace users physical mental health psychological wellbeing ii factors moderating health wellbeing outcomes site satisfaction nature connectedness iii perceived biodiversity explore whether nature dose time spent site influences relationships assess whether greenspace users estimate botanical diversity accurately across meadow treatments differing plant species richness vegetation structure determine environmental cues personal characteristics associated estimates sites experimental meadows increase respondents perceptions site level biodiversity selfrated physical mental health psychological wellbeing relative control sites lacking meadows however significant associations perceived site level biodiversity per se site satisfaction feeling connected nature moreover observed positive association nature dose selfestimated mental health found actual perceived botanical richness individual meadow plots strongly positively correlated perceived richness positively associated vegetation height evenness colourfulness suggesting cues estimating species richness accuracy estimates varied respondents higher levels ecocentricity accurate people less connected nature