An Empirical Study of the Restoration Potential of Urban Deciduous Forest Space to Youth

Linjia Wu, Qidi Dong, Shixian Luo, Yanling Li, Yuzhou Liu, Jiani Li, Zhixian Zhu, Mingliang He, Yuhang Luo and Qibing Chen
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Linjia Wu: College of Landscape Architecture, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
Qidi Dong: College of Landscape Architecture, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
Shixian Luo: Graduate School of Horticulture, Chiba University, Chiba 263-8522, Japan
Yanling Li: School of Literature and Arts, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621010, China
Yuzhou Liu: College of Landscape Architecture, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
Jiani Li: College of Landscape Architecture, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
Zhixian Zhu: School of Fine Arts and Design, Chengdu University, Chengdu 610106, China
Mingliang He: College of Landscape Architecture, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
Yuhang Luo: College of Landscape Architecture, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
Qibing Chen: College of Landscape Architecture, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 6, 1-20

Abstract: Urban deciduous forests are an important ecological resource and seasonal landscape in the urban environment. However, in the abundant literature on how urban green space promotes human health and well-being, research on urban seasonal deciduous forests is limited. This study aimed to investigate the physiological and psychological recovery potential provided of urban deciduous forest space for youths and the spatial preferences of youths regarding such spaces. We recruited 120 participants to study the restorative potential of two typical urban deciduous forest landscape spaces (experimental groups) and one urban road environment (control group). The results showed that after 15 min of observation, the blood pressure (especially the diastolic blood pressure ( p < 0.01)) and pulse of the deciduous forest trail setting (DFTS) group effectively decreased, and the restorative mood significantly increased. Regarding change in emotional parameters, the DFTS group scored higher on “interest” and significantly higher than the other two groups on positive emotion. The correlation results show that density and level are the key factors affecting spatial preferences regarding complex deciduous forests. An increase in density reduces the mood of re-laxation, and an increase in level decreases fatigue and interest. We suggest (1) constructing foot-paths in urban deciduous forests to reduce their spatial density as to improve the relaxation effect and (2) increasing landscape diversity according to the forest space to facilitate user participation and interest. This study provides a scientific basis for the environmental restoration of deciduous landscapes and for urban forestry management decision-makers based on space type construction.

Keywords: urban forests; deciduous forest; ginkgo; forest space; physiological–psychological response; preference (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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