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A study by Rutgers ecologist Myla Aronson and colleagues has found “overwhelming” evidence that increasing biodiversity in cities – establishing parks, installing native plants and encouraging sustainable landscaping – can significantly improve human health.
Reporting in the science journal People and Nature, Aronson and coauthors described conducting a systematic review of more than 1,500 studies to synthesize their findings. They looked at how making cities greener and more friendly to plants and animals, an approach known as biodiversity-supporting actions, affects human health. They also examined linkages between biodiversity and people living in cities.
“We found overwhelming evidence that biodiversity is good for human health and well-being,” said Aronson, an assistant professor in the Department of Ecology, Evolution and Natural Resources in the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences. “These actions also reduce exposure to environmental harms such as heat and pollution, including air, light and noise.”
Read the full article: How Nature Can Make Urban Dwellers Healthier