The natural environment

There is significant evidence that exposure to or engagement with natural environments can benefit people’s wellbeing. It can support recovery from stress and mental fatigue, encourage physical activity and support a wider connection to nature. Protecting the natural environment and halting biodiversity loss is central to human survival and wellbeing.

Example projects

Our work examines people’s relationship and interactions with natural environments in different ways. It examines if, when and how (different forms of) engagements, among varied populations, with (different) natural environments benefits wellbeing and in what ways.

Environmental features

We examine how different features of those environments (like density, soundscapes and biodiversity) affect human experiences in natural spaces. 

  • Valuing Nature’s Soundscapes. This research project, funded by ESRC and NERC, examined relationships between landscape structure, soundscape complexity, perceptions of soundscape quality, derived mental health and well-being benefits, and economic valuations (Uebel et al., 2025). It was conducted in collaboration with University of East Anglia and University of Glasgow
  • Dr. Forest. This research project, funded by Biodiversa, examined how diversity of European forests affects human health and wellbeing. Experimental forest diversity research sites and urban forests in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany and Poland were studied for the effect of biodiversity on: psychological restoration (Rozario et al., 2024); microclimate; medicinal and edible plants and fungi; disease vectors; and clean air (Gillerot et al., 2024)
  • Types and components of blue and green spaces that impact mental health? Melissa Marselle was a member of an expert working group, funded by EKLIPSE, to understand which types and qualities of green and blue spaces have a significant effect on mental health and well-being (Beute & Marselle et al., 2023). This work informed a WHO report.
  • Woodland density and psychological restoration. A PhD project that examined the impact of environmental density in woodland settings on visitor experiences (Andrews & Gatersleben, 2010; Gatersleben & Andrews, 2013)
  • Designing gardens for wellbeing. A PhD project in collaboration with RHS Wisley examining how the design of and engagement with gardens impacts wellbeing (Harries et al., 2023).

Types of engagement

We study the psychological benefits of different types of engagement including active engagement in conservation activities, mindful gardening, passively viewing images of nature or experiencing nature in virtual reality. 

  • Springwatch. A project conducted during the pandemic to examine the wellbeing benefits of engaging with nature through social media (Xu et al., 2021)
  • Virtual reality and environmental experiences. A PhD project that examined the use of virtual reality in studying human-nature interactions (Newman et al., 2020)
  • Noticing nature. A study that demonstrates how paying attention to natural features in gardens can enhance the wellbeing benefits of visiting such gardens (Harries et al., 2025).

Different groups and populations

We explore nature-engagement among a range of different populations including children and older people addressing issues of access, equality and diversity.

  • Co-Producing Pride in Nature. This impact and engagement project, supported by Higher Education Innovation Funding (HEIF), facilitated knowledge exchange between the LGBTQ+ community and land managers to support more inclusive nature engagement
  • Nature exposure as a public health intervention tool for refugees. A project funded, by the British Council, investigated nature exposure for health intervention for refugees in Scotland (Wendelboe-Nelson et al., 2025)
  • Worked with primary school children, exploring their everyday outdoor soundscapes as a means for increasing their connection to nature, in a project with the science outreach charity Wonderseekers (Payne et al., 2025)
  • Counting bird and bees. A project funded by the Dunhill Medical Trust that examined the wellbeing benefits of engagement with co-designed nature conservation activities among older people (O’Brien et al., 2024)
  • Man or bear? Examining gender differences in nature experiences, looking specifically at the role of environmental density and perceptions of danger (Bornioli et al., 2025)
  • Let’s go outside. A study examining stress recovery among teenagers at school in indoor and outdoor (natural) settings on their own, with a friend or with their phone (Greenwood & Gatersleben, 2016).

Public health and wellbeing

We study the use of nature to promote public health and wellbeing, including green social prescriptions, nature-based therapies, or green exercise. 

  • Nature exposure as a public health intervention tool. A project funded by the British Council, investigated the barriers and facilitators to implementing green social prescriptions in the UK and Germany (de Bell, Alejandre & Menzel et al., 2024)
  • Less Netflix, More Nature! Project, funded by University Global Partnership Network (UGPN), examined the potential of green social prescriptions in various countries (Kondo et al., 2025;  Astell-Burt., et al. 2023).
  • Biodiversity health framework. A conceptual framework describing the pathways linking biodiversity to human health, both beneficial and harmful (Marselle et al., 2023).