Bird Diversity Unconsciously Increases People’s Satisfaction with Where They Live

Lauren Hepburn, Adam C. Smith, John Zelenski and Lenore Fahrig
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Lauren Hepburn: Department of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
Adam C. Smith: National Wildlife Research Centre, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0H3, Canada
John Zelenski: Department of Psychology, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
Lenore Fahrig: Department of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada

Land, 2021, vol. 10, issue 2, 1-19

Abstract: There is growing evidence that exposure to nature increases human well-being, including in urban areas. However, relatively few studies have linked subjective satisfaction to objective features of the environment. In this study we explore the links among objective environmental features (tree cover, water, and bird diversity) and subjective judgements of satisfaction. We surveyed residents of Ottawa, Canada ( n = 1035) about their satisfaction with their local neighbourhoods. We then compared the survey responses to measures of nature near their homes, including bird diversity (number of bird species), tree canopy cover, and distance to water. After controlling for effects of income and subjective happiness, residents’ neighbourhood satisfaction was positively related to the number of bird species nearby, even before participants were prompted to consider nature. Residents’ appreciation of their local neigbourhood relative to others also increased with tree canopy cover and nearness to water. Unsolicited comments from participants following the survey indicated that while residents consciously appreciate trees and water, the relationship between bird diversity and neighbourhood satisfaction appears to be unconscious; very few of the participants mentioned birds. Based on these results, we speculate that a diverse local bird community may provoke feelings of satisfaction through their presence, activity, and songs. Our results create a compelling argument for city planners and individual residents to maintain bird-friendly spaces in urban areas.

Keywords: biodiversity; biophilia; happiness; nature relatedness; neighbourhood; species richness; tree canopy; urban greenspace; urban forest; well-being (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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