Interest in bird feeding surged soon after COVID lockdowns began in more than 100 countries. While this activity boosts people’s wellbeing, care must be taken to ensure it’s also good for the birds.
A public survey found 86% of people want more space for nature in the city. The city council is already taking steps to add green space and increase biodiversity, which should boost public wellbeing.
The contestants’ relationships with nature clearly shape their actions. As armchair experts, each of us may reflect on our own relationship with nature and how we would act in the same situation.
A global study of urban clover reveals that it is adapting quickly to city life.
(Shutterstock)
Exposure to diverse microbes boosts our immunity, while spending time in nature restores wellbeing. And COVID reminds us of the risks of new viruses when we intrude on and degrade natural habitats.
When the pandemic hit, green space was there for us at a time when others weren’t or couldn’t be. Urban greening might be the solution to the ‘lonelygenic environment’ that our cities have created.
Armed with smartphones, keen eyes and curiosity, students are learning to provide vital observations that add to our knowledge of the distribution of plant and animal species and how to conserve them.
Plants are more than background foliage in our busy lives. Our relationship with plants supports human health and well-being in many ways.
(Sarah Elton)
Plants support human health not only in terms of providing food, oxygen and shade. Our relationships with plants facilitate political decisions and actions that support health in the city.
A new survey finds that Americans are willing to accept limits on visitors to public lands to reduce crowds, and want staff and visitors to wear masks.
Noting nature around you – it could be a glance outside, tending plants, or ‘green’ exercise – will improve your well-being, research shows. The coronavirus pandemic has made it even more important.
Our mental health benefits when nature is part of our neighbourhoods, as in this residential street in Fitzroy, Melbourne.
Melanie Thomson
It’s well-established that green spaces are good for our well-being. Now we can demonstrate that greater biodiversity boosts this benefit, as well as helping to sustain native plants and animals.
A coyote in Vancouver, B.C. Rodent pesticides in large cities kill and adversely affect the health of urban wildlife.
(Shutterstock)
Urban wildlife are exposed to more pollutants than wildlife living in natural areas. In addition to causing death, these pollutants can affect animals’ development and reproduction.
Access to the shoreline is great, but what about places not on the coast?
Béju (Happy City, Street Plan, University of Virginia)
Research into public health benefits of integrating nature into cities has focused on green spaces. New studies suggest water features are just as useful and can piggyback on other infrastructure goals.
Learning about urban rat populations through genetic testing reveals information about their movements through cities.
Shutterstock
Genetic analysis shows that urban rats prefer to stay near their relatives; however, some of them migrate. Knowing this could help with pest control efforts.