Human-nature Relationship Research Articles

How to increase nature connectedness? Effectiveness and mechanisms of a gratitude journal intervention

Abstract Nature connectedness can promote pro‐environmental behaviour and psychological well‐being, but little is known about how nature connectedness can be strengthened. Interventions that seek to enhance nature connectedness by promoting direct nature contact may be impractical because urban areas often lack opportunities for interactions with nature in the daily lives of people. This study examines the effects of a gratitude journal exercise on nature connectedness, psychological well‐being, and engagement in wildlife gardening. Participants (N = 114) were either asked to write down daily three things relating to nature that they were grateful for over a 14‐day period or they were assigned to one of two control groups (a traditional gratitude condition and an activity list condition). Compared to the two control groups, there were no significant differences in any of the outcome variables during the 14‐day period and at 1‐week and 3‐month follow‐ups. However, significant increases in all those outcome variables emerged independent of the group. Qualitative data analysis suggests that the journal exercise promoted increases in the outcome variables by generating self‐knowledge as well as positive emotions and attitudes. Moreover, participants noted that the journal activity made them think about nature in new ways, presumably through answering daily survey questions on nature connectedness. We suggest that the mere activity of regularly reflecting on one's relationship with nature may increase nature connectedness. Interventions that encourage people to contemplate the interconnectedness between themselves and nature could be a viable strategy to strengthen human–nature relationships, especially in urban areas that lack opportunities for interactions with nature. The findings of this study can inform future research concerned with the processes of strengthening nature connectedness and the design of interventions that employ nature‐based journal exercises. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Changing human–nature relationships: Insights from Guinea‐Bissau woodlands

Abstract The ecological impacts of landscape changes resulting in significant simplification of natural systems have been extensively studied worldwide. Yet, few studies have examined how such biophysical changes affect the value local communities place on nature and their relationships with it. In this study, we delve into the case of Guinea‐Bissau, where woodland cover has been increasingly replaced by commercial cashew plantations. Using a sociocultural valuation approach, our empirical research provides a comprehensive assessment of the woodlands' contributions to local communities as well as the potential disruptions caused by the ongoing biophysical changes on the woodlands. We focused on 20 villages of four different ethnic groups—Manjack, Balanta, Mandinka and Fulani—and used a combination of focus group discussions and walks‐in‐the‐woods. The study's participants identified 19 nature's contributions to people from the woodlands, which revealed a combination of instrumental, relational and intrinsic values in ways that reflect their subsistence needs and social–cultural contexts. We also found that these values are being impacted, mostly negatively, by the ongoing biophysical changes in the ‘natural’ landscapes tied to regional and global dynamics. Moreover, our study reveals that local communities are aware of ongoing biophysical changes in their woodlands and perceive them as having negative ecological and psychological consequences for them. Synthesis and applications: Our study highlights the significance of using a sociocultural perspective to investigate how changes in the landscape affect local peoples' values of nature and their relationships with it. This information can help shape policies and management decisions towards creating better futures that are meaningful for both humans and non‐humans. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

The effect of shared ecological value on buyer–supplier relationship within mountaineering tourism

Shared values play an important role in attracting new tourists, retaining existing ones and gaining an important competitive advantage. Building upon the Commitment-Trust model, this study tested the role of shared ecological values in the creation of tourist trust and relationship commitment, and finally tourist behavioral intention. To test the hypotheses, a sample consisting of 480 mountaineering tourists of two representative travel agencies were surveyed, and a mixed-method approach based on a quantitative survey (n = 436) and qualitative interviews (n = 60) was also adopted to examine their relationships. Results revealed that shared ecological values between tourists and travel agencies were significantly negative predictors of credibility, while credibility and benevolence emerged as significantly positive predictors of relationship commitment. Moreover, credibility and relationship commitment were partially positively predictors of tourist’s behavioral intentions. The findings enrich the extant knowledge on mountaineering tourist relationship marketing and human-nature relationships and provide implications for destination management and wildlife protection.

Ecological Imperialism and Indigenous Resistance: A Postcolonial Ecocritical Analysis of Selected Indian English Novels

This paper examines the representation of environmental degradation and critique of postcolonial development paradigms in two contemporary Indian English novels: Amitav Ghosh's The Hungry Tide (2004) and Indra Sinha's Animal's People (2007). Employing a postcolonial ecocritical framework, the study analyzes how these works articulate the environmental consequences of development in India, challenge Western models of progress, and highlight indigenous environmental perspectives. The research reveals that both novels effectively portray multi-faceted environmental issues, from biodiversity loss in the Sundarbans to long-term impacts of industrial pollution in urban areas. They offer pointed critiques of anthropocentric development models while presenting indigenous knowledge as a valuable alternative for sustainable human-nature relationships. The study contributes to postcolonial ecocriticism by demonstrating how Indian English literature engages with and critiques the environmental costs of postcolonial development. It underscores the potential of literature to provide nuanced, culturally-specific insights into complex environmental issues, challenging dominant narratives and proposing alternative visions of progress.

La relación hombre-naturaleza como fundamento de la responsabilidad ambiental

Environmental responsibility has been analyzed since the mid-20th century, establishing its foundation in the disruption of the relationship between humans and nature. The urgency of these evaluations is a consequence of the negative impacts that human development has had on nature, endangering human existence itself. Delving into the study of the processes affecting this relationship, with the philosophical dimensions it implies, is a task that demands engagement with the body of knowledge of this science. Philosophy, as a conception of the world, includes ontological, ethical, and gnoseological dimensions. Therefore, addressing environmental issues should be done from this same philosophical perspective, more specifically from dialectical materialism, which allows for an understanding of the dynamics of natural and social development. Many scientists and intellectuals converge on the foundation and conceptualization of environmental responsibility. At this point, it is necessary to clarify the elements that allow for the establishment of the human-nature relationship as the basis of environmental responsibility. This research aims, from a historical-philosophical perspective, to analyze the human-nature relationship as the foundation of environmental responsibility based on ontological, ethical, and gnoseological dimensions. Given the qualitative nature of the research, it is based on the dialectical materialist conception of the world, supported by analytical-synthetic, hermeneutic, and historical-logical methods, which allowed for the determination of contributory elements for the theoretical foundation of environmental responsibility. In this sense, it was concluded that the relationship between the ontological, ethical, and gnoseological dimensions established in the study of the human-nature relationship allows it to be established as the basis of environmental responsibility. It also contributes to the integral analysis of phenomena occurring in nature, additionally providing essential elements for the development of contemporary environmental ethics.

Access to land and nature as health determinants: a qualitative analysis exploring meaningful human-nature relationships among Indigenous youth in central Canada

BackgroundHuman relationships with and connections to nature and the “land” are a commonly accepted Social Determinant of Health. Greater knowledge about these relationships can inform public health policies and interventions focused on health equity among Indigenous populations. Two research questions were explored: (1) what are the experiences of meaningful human-nature relationships among Indigenous youth within central Canada; and (2) how do these relationships function as a determinant of health and wellness within their lives.MethodsDrawing from three community-based participatory research (CBPR) projects within two urban centers in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, the integrated qualitative findings presented here involved 92 interviews with 52 Indigenous youth that occurred over a period of nine years (2014–2023). Informed by “two-eyed seeing,” this analysis combined Indigenous Methodologies and a Constructivist Grounded Theory approach.ResultsOur integrative analysis revealed three cross-cutting themes about meaningful human-nature relationships: (1) promoting cultural belonging and positive identity; (2) connecting to community and family; and (3) supporting spiritual health and relationships. The experiences of young people also emphasized barriers to land and nature access within their local environments.DiscussionPolicies, practices, and interventions aimed at strengthening urban Indigenous young peoples’ relationships to and connections with nature and the land can have a positive impact on their health and wellness. Public Health systems and healthcare providers can learn about leveraging the health benefits of human-nature relationships at individual and community levels, and this is particularly vital for those working to advance health equity among Indigenous populations.

Comparing place meanings of recreational visits to coastal and inland nature

Blue spaces are being increasingly linked to a public health agenda, as the presence of water increases perceived restorativeness. Much research has examined coastal nature experiences and sense of place in coastal areas specifically, but little research has attempted to compare sense of place across different types of natural environments. In this study, we used place meanings to investigate how people perceive, experience, and attach to coastal and inland natural environments, providing new insights into human-nature relations in coastal and inland environments in Denmark. The study uses a mixed methods approach, combining qualitative analysis of free-text responses from a national online PPGIS survey with statistical analysis of background information. Responses from 500 coastal and 500 inland nature visitors were analysed through an inductive coding process, which elicited one hundred different place meanings. These meanings were categorized according to Williams’ (2014) layers of tangible and intangible place meanings. The meaning layer distribution was similar between coastal and inland nature visits, just as the most frequent place meanings were similar across the environments (e.g., Nature, Nice, Forest, Walk). However, significant differences were found among some individual place meanings (e.g., Wild, Vacation, Healing and comfort were more frequent for coastal visits), suggesting special coastal place meanings that should be further explored in future research. The analysis of place meanings was supplemented by an analysis of relevant visit characteristics behind the 500 coastal and 500 inland visits, suggesting great attraction coupled to coastal places (e.g., longer travel distance).

Auroral ecosystem services: A cascade model and investigation of co-production processes

This paper serves as an initial exploration of the stages involved in the formation of auroral ecosystem services (ES) and interactions between the geosphere, biosphere and anthroposphere. This is performed through the development of an auroral ES cascade model with the integration of four main co-production stages: (i) value attribution, (ii) mobilization of ES potential, (iii) value appropriation, and (iv) commercialization. The cascade model is expanded upon in detail by using examples from published academic and grey literature, highlighting the demand for capital inputs and strengthening the conceptual understanding of human-nature relationships in the context of auroral ES. The co-production stages illustrate the importance of action on the demand-side in order for the supply of benefits from auroral ES to be delivered. The potential for feedback from the anthroposphere into geophysical properties, processes and functions through anthropogenic space weather and artificial particle precipitation from the Van Allen Radiation Belts via ionospheric heating and low frequency radio wave generation is emphasized. Additionally, feedback via policy and decision making from the anthroposphere into the biosphere and geosphere is highlighted, especially in the context of managing light pollution and artificial space weather. The discussion considers the potential implications of the expanded model, in addition to the valuation of auroral ES across three value domains (monetary, socio-cultural and biophysical) and the potential use of such information in decision-making, followed by reflecting on the potential limitations of the expanded model.

Fictional Depictions Of Climate Change In Literature: A Study On Human-Nature Relationship

Fictional Depictions Of Climate Change In Literature: A Study On Human-Nature Relationship

Interplays between relational and instrumental values: insights from research experiences on human–nature relations

AbstractRelational values have become increasingly recognised within the field of social–ecological systems as an innovative and in-depth approach to uncovering the value of human–nature relationships around the world. As an emerging concept within mainstream Western academia, there is still much to learn about the potential challenges of working with relational values and how to navigate them in applied research. Drawing on empirical research from Colombia, Fiji, Germany, Romania and South Africa, this paper explores the key themes which emerged when working with human–nature relationships. We reveal complex interconnections between relational and instrumental values, livelihood practices and power and politics. We conclude by highlighting the importance of acknowledging the fluidity of relational values and their potential to bridge different worldviews and knowledge systems between researchers and communities.

Between continuous presents and disruptive futures: Identifying the ideological backbones of global environmental scenarios

Despite the great relevance of global environmental scenarios for the study of environmental change and sustainability transitions, they have rarely been the object of analysis for scholars of the social sciences. In this article, we analyze the ideological assumptions of 993 global environmental scenarios contained in 243 academic works. By developing a new categorization of environmental scenarios, we investigate the economic and governance organization reflected in the scenarios, as well as the portrayed human-nature relationships. We find that global environmental scenarios developed and used by the scientific community largely reproduce rather than break with dominant power structures in the economic, governance and cultural domain. The majority of scenarios reflects an anthropocentric worldview and assumes that the logic of global capitalism and of the Westphalian state-based governance system will not change radically during the 21st century. The implicit solution of sustainability problems dominating these scenarios is a combination of continuous economic growth, rapid technological progress and an international (environmental) agreement. ‘Alternative scenarios’ are scarce, often only problematize one dimension of the social structure of world society and frequently lack explicit drivers of change or pathways to desirable futures. To increase the diversity of scenarios, future research should focus on refining and quantifying existing post-capitalist, post-state-centric and/or ecocentric scenarios, and on developing a range of scenarios whose storyline systematically problematize or even break with current power structures.

Negative exokarstic units as a basis for urban management: Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

The morphometric characterization of large-scale depressions, with high-resolution contributions and in urban contexts, has been carried out in the cities of Cozumel and Playa del Carmen. For Tulum, the inputs have been insufficient in identifying depressions at a detailed level. This research aimed to analyze and characterize the negative exokarstic relief of the city of Tulum through morphometric parameters and urban elements that contribute to the knowledge of the human-nature relationship. From the DEM ALOS PALSAR, contour lines, elevation models, slopes, and shadows were extracted, which allowed the identification of depressions, topographic profiles, and the calculation of morphometric indices; subsequently, the distribution of depressions was analyzed concerning urban elements. The identified depressions were classified into uvalas, sinkholes, and poljes. The analysis of the topographic profiles allowed us to recognize units in the shape of "V" (64%), "U" (19%), and "Hoya" (17%). The highest concentration of type V depressions is observed in the city's central area, characterized by a medium and high population density, as well as the centralization of commercial and public establishments. The detailed characterization of depressions is a planning and management tool for the territory.

Exploring human-nature relationships in academic literature on the nitrogen cycle

ABSTRACT The nitrogen (N) cycle is a familiar concept. As is the much simplified, often diagrammatic, representation commonly used to illustrate the scale, importance and interconnectedness of this global cycle that links air, water, rocks and living beings. However, in this representation, humans are often presented as a seemingly minor entity or not explicitly shown at all. This can obscure the idea that humanity is both a direct beneficiary of the nitrogen cycle (through food and resources) and an increasingly significant influence on its function. This study sought to understand how diverse Human-Nature relationships (HNR) are expressed in recent academic literature on the nitrogen cycle. A sample of peer-reviewed literature, containing explicit and inferred examples of HNR and the nitrogen cycle, was analysed using two approaches: 1) network analysis, identifying and illustrating all quantifiable links made between components of the nitrogen cycle, and 2) content analysis to understand how different kinds of terminology were being used to describe relationships between components in the cycle. The network analysis revealed diverse links between ‘human’ and ‘non-human nature’. The content analysis found some explicit use of relational terms, most commonly ‘depend*’. Both approaches highlighted strongly reciprocal links within the ‘human’ realm and the explicit centrality in which this is held across the corpus. We demonstrate the utility of combining quantitative and qualitative analysis to understand nuanced relationships in the nitrogen cycle and explore the utility this has to increase the acknowledgement and appreciation of HNR in science communication and science-policy interface work.

Unveiling emerging interdisciplinary research challenges in the highly threatened sclerophyllous forests of central Chile

BackgroundThe potential ecosystem collapse of forests in Mediterranean-type ecosystems (MTEs) by unprecedented droughts is worrisome due to the impacts on its exceptional biodiversity and human well-being. However, research integrating the impacts of global change drivers, forest resilience and the challenges facing human-nature relationships is still scarce.Methods and resultsUsing the central Chile megadrought and recently massive forest browning event as a model scenario, we identified, through a scientific literature review and an interdisciplinary scientific workshop, the research priorities and questions to address for MTEs in a context of global change. Our results highlighted knowledge gaps that need to be covered, particularly in social and environmental sciences, with an emphasis on soil science. Research priorities must focus on (1) the understanding of interactive effects of global and local anthropogenic drivers on MTEs and (2) the evaluation of the potential impacts of MTEs collapse on human well-being and ecosystem functioning.ConclusionsWe highlight the need for a collaborative approach involving scientists, landowners, managers/administrators, and policymakers to apply adaptive forest management against the current socio-environmental challenges under a global change context.

Investigation of Communities Adaptation and the Role of Landscape Functions in Urban Informal Settlements, Indonesia.

Socio-ecological connectivity highlights the significance of landscape functions as they support communities' resilience in disaster-prone areas. The study aimed to investigate community adaptive capacities in disaster-risk conditions and adopt strategies to reduce vulnerability with the help of landscape functions. Additionally, it intends to examine human-nature relationships by analyzing the perceived importance and performance of each function. Data was collected through questionnaires to obtain residents' perceptions in three sub-districts in Kupang, Indonesia. In addition, two hundred and ninety-four residents were selected as research participants. The results indicate that the overall vulnerability score in three regions is classified as almost vulnerable. Manutapen has high scores in adaptive capacity aspects; however, Airmata has a low score for soil conservation due to the high density of buildings. Respondents in Mantasi and Airmata rely on the provisioning function for daily needs. In Mantasi and Manupaten, the landslide control function is a very high priority. Meanwhile, in Airmata, the main priority should be given to the functions of supporting and regulating. Understanding socio-ecological relationships with attention to the performance of landscape functions is invaluable to supporting sustainable landscape management. It can also ease the pressure of climate change that communities have to contend with.

Ghostly Thinking and Fictional Dwelling: Heidegger’s Philosophy of Nature and Rushdie’s The Satanic Verses

ABSTRACT This article analyzes the connections between ghost fantasy and the meditation on dwelling in Salman Rushdie’s 1988 novel The Satanic Verses, which explores migration and human intimacy with the natural environment. I argue that the novel helps clarify and develop Martin Heidegger’s philosophy of nature, which associates thinking and dwelling with the ghostly. As a communicative device, fictionality plays an important role in both writers’ exploration of the rootless condition of modern society, influencing their understanding of essence, truth, and value. I contend that a conversation between Heidegger and Rushdie discloses how contemporary literary fiction can contribute to a dynamic interpretation of the human-nature relationship, which embraces mystery and challenges mechanistic theoretical frameworks.

Ecotherapy through a discursive lens: nature-based activities, mental health, and local constructions of human-nature relationship

ABSTRACT Contemporary studies on nature-based activities have evidenced mental health benefits of being in/with nature. Previous quantitative studies generally verified the effectiveness of ecotherapy, and qualitative studies identified the healing mechanisms. However, existing studies on ecotherapy have not considered local contextualities in understanding the psychology of nature-based activities, as if nature is experienced in a relatively universal way across cultures. Drawing upon insights from discursive psychology, this article explores the ways local socio-cultural-ideological discourses constitute one’s understanding about and relationship with nature, and how it might enable/limit mental health benefits. Based on the authors’ reflections during the development of an ecotherapy project in Indonesia, this article argues that ecotherapy does not operate in a discursive vacuum, but instead, mental health benefits of nature-based activities were constituted through various cultural, spiritual, gender, ableist, ethnic, and class-related discourses. The implications are discussed in relation to how ecotherapy can be more contextual, inclusive, and diverse.

Ethical reflections on environmental crisis: Insights from 'the world without us’

Background: This research delves into the book "The World Without Us" by Alan Weisman, exploring the intersection of environmental ethics and the environmental crises arising from human exploitation of nature. Method: The study employs a qualitative literature review methodology, drawing insights from primary and secondary sources to shed light on the ethical dimensions of environmental degradation. Findings: The findings underscore the critical role of environmental ethics in guiding sustainable development practices, emphasizing the need for responsible stewardship of natural resources and the preservation of biodiversity. Conclusion: The article advocates for an ethical framework that integrates environmental considerations into decision-making processes, fostering a sense of responsibility and promoting sustainable development practices that prioritize environmental health, social equity, and long-term well-being. Novelty/Originality in this Study: By imagining a world without human presence, this study not only explores the impact of human exploitation of nature but also formulates an innovative, ethical framework for sustainable development, challenging how we view human-nature relationships.

Between remembrance and forgetfulness: heart perception, oneness and the human-landscape relationship in a Bashkir Sufi circle

ABSTRACT wIn this article, I explore human-landscape and human-nature relationships from the perspective of Sufi ontologies by examining how Sufi Muslims revive the sacred landscape in Bashkortostan. I foreground an alternative mode of knowing, the heart perception, to analyze how they experience the landscape’s aliveness. I argue that this mode of experiencing the natural environment goes further than the idea of the sentience and agency of non-humans in the post-humanist turn and the literature on sentient landscapes. Indeed, Sufi ontologies foreground the presence of the Divine in human-landscape and human-nature relationships, shedding light on how my interlocutors differentiate between humans with an ‘open’ or a ‘closed heart’ to warn of the dangers of forgetting their ancestors’ knowledge and care for nature. By foregrounding the heart perception, I explore this diversity of human beings and ways of relating to the landscape between remembrance and forgetfulness.

Ecocritical Study: Dwelling Aspect Portrayed in Richard Powers the Overstory

This study aims to explore the human-nature relationship and its environmental impact in Richard Powers’s The Overstory through Greg Garrad’s ecocritical framework, with a particular focus on the concept of Dwelling. Garrad’s theory distinguishes between Georgic, which represents a damaging interaction with nature, and Ecological Indian, which embodies a nurturing approach. This research examines how the novel portrays these contrasting relationships, illustrating how the characters’ connections with nature either contribute to environmental harm or foster preservation. By analyzing the novel through Garrad’s theoretical lens, the study reveals how Powers’s characters confront and mitigate the adverse effects of individuals and corporations on the environment, showcasing the intricate dynamics of human-nature interactions in the context of environmental stewardship. The analysis highlights how the novel’s narrative strategies and character arcs emphasize the critical role of empathy and ecological consciousness in addressing environmental challenges. Furthermore, it underscores the potential for literature to inspire real-world environmental action by reflecting on the complexities of human engagement with the natural world. Through this exploration, the study contributes to a deeper understanding of how literary works can shape and influence environmental attitudes and behaviors.