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Humans and nature: How knowing and experiencing nature affect well-being
Abstract
Ecosystems provide many of the material building blocks for human well-being. Although
quantification and appreciation of such contributions have rapidly grown, our dependence
upon cultural connections to nature deserves more attention. We synthesize multidisciplinary
peer-reviewed research on contributions of nature or ecosystems to human well-being
mediated through nontangible connections (such as culture). We characterize these
connections on the basis of the channels through which such connections arise (i.e.,
knowing, perceiving, interacting with, and living within) and the components of human
well-being they affect (e.g., physical, mental and spiritual health, inspiration,
identity). We found enormous variation in the methods used, quantity of research,
and generalizability of the literature. The effects of nature on mental and physical
health have been rigorously demonstrated, whereas other effects (e.g., on learning)
are theorized but seldom demonstrated. The balance of evidence indicates conclusively
that knowing and experiencing nature makes us generally happier, healthier people.
More fully characterizing our intangible connections with nature will help shape decisions
that benefit people and the ecosystems on which we depend. © 2013 by Annual Reviews.
All rights reserved.
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Journal articlePermalink
https://hdl.handle.net/10161/11477Published Version (Please cite this version)
10.1146/annurev-environ-012312-110838Publication Info
Russell, R; Guerry, AD; Balvanera, P; Gould, RK; Basurto, X; Chan, KMA; ... Tam, J (2013). Humans and nature: How knowing and experiencing nature affect well-being. Annual Review of Environment and Resources, 38. pp. 473-502. 10.1146/annurev-environ-012312-110838. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10161/11477.This is constructed from limited available data and may be imprecise. To cite this
article, please review & use the official citation provided by the journal.
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Show full item recordScholars@Duke
Xavier Basurto
Truman and Nellie Semans/Alex Brown & Sons Associate Professor
I am interested in the fundamental question of how groups (human and non-human) can
find ways to self-organize, cooperate, and engage in successful collective action
for the benefit of the common good. To do this I strive to understand how the institutions
(formal and informal rules and norms) that govern social behavior, interplay with
biophysical variables to shape social-ecological systems. What kind of institutions
are better able to govern complex-adaptive systems? and how can societies (la

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