Human well-being responses to species’ traits

J. C. Fisher (), M. Dallimer, K. N. Irvine, S. G. Aizlewood, G. E. Austen, R. D. Fish, P. M. King and Z. G. Davies
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J. C. Fisher: University of Kent
M. Dallimer: University of Leeds
K. N. Irvine: James Hutton Institute
S. G. Aizlewood: University of Kent
G. E. Austen: University of Kent
R. D. Fish: University of Kent
P. M. King: University of Kent
Z. G. Davies: University of Kent

Nature Sustainability, 2023, vol. 6, issue 10, 1219-1227

Abstract: Abstract People rely on well-functioning ecosystems to provide critical services that underpin human health and well-being. Consequently, biodiversity loss has profound negative implications for humanity. Human–biodiversity interactions can deliver individual-level well-being gains, equating to substantial healthcare cost savings when scaled up across populations. However, critical questions remain about which species and/or traits (for example, colours, sounds and smells) elicit well-being responses. The traits that influence well-being can be considered ‘effect’ traits. Using techniques from community ecology, we have analysed a database of species’ effect traits articulated by people to identify those that generate different types of well-being (physical, emotional, cognitive, social, spiritual and ‘global’ well-being, the latter being akin to ‘whole-person health’). Effect traits have a predominately positive impact on well-being, influenced by the identity and taxonomic kingdom of each species. Different sets of effect traits deliver different types of well-being. However, traits cannot be considered independently of species because multiple traits can be supported by a single species. Indeed, we have found that numerous effect traits from across the ecological community can elicit multiple types of well-being, illustrating the complexity of biodiversity experiences. Our empirical approach can help to implement interdisciplinary thinking for biodiversity conservation and nature-based public health interventions designed to support human well-being.

Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1038/s41893-023-01151-3

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