Forest Biodiversity and well-being:on-site experiences in urban areas in Italy

In this study, we selected five types of urban green spaces in Italy, ranging from a minimum of biodiversity and a maximum of man-made elements to a maximum of biodiversity and a minimum of man-made elements. A convenience sample (N = 125) was contacted in the city of Padua, Florence, Rome, Bari. A questionnaire focusing on people’s experiences in the environment (length and frequency of visits, activities performed, perceived restorativeness, affective qualities of the place, perceived well-being during and after the visits) was administered. Results showed that the perceived restorative properties are higher in the peri-urban green areas, and significantly increasing as a function of biodiversity levels in the environment. Moreover, the activities performed in the environment impacted both perceived restorativeness and respondents’ well-being. Finally, frequency and duration of visits positively predicted self-reported well-being. As expected, a significant mediating role of both perceived restorativeness and affective qualities upon the relationship between duration and frequency of visits and individual well-being was detected. The theoretical implications in the analysis of the process leading to restoration are discussed, and potential guidelines for a more healthy management of everyday urban and peri-urban natural environments are envisaged.