The place for people in rewilding.

Rewilding, although controversial, is increasingly presented as humanity's best hope of addressing the global biodiversity crisis, but it remains unclear how restoring nonhuman autonomy affects people's relationships with nature. We conceptualized 3 human-nature relationships (HNRs) that could occur when restoring nonhuman autonomy: human-nature dichotomy, human-nature compromise, and human-nature mutualism. Through 51 interviews, we then empirically tested the occurrence of these HNRs across diverse actors living and working in 2 longstanding British rewilding initiatives to better understand the place for people in rewilding. Actors' HNRs aligned with the 3 conceptual framings, but these relationships were complex. Individuals often demonstrated multiple perspectives that transcended conventional actor categorization. The tripartite framing also revealed conflicting values across and within individuals, resulting in pluralistic HNRs. Our work adds to the theory and practice surrounding the place for people in rewilding by cautioning against a single preferred HNR when restoring nonhuman autonomy and advocating that a diversity of human interactions with nature should be integrated into the global rewilding movement.

El lugar de las personas en la renaturalización Resumen Aunque la renaturalización es controversial, se presenta cada vez más como la mejor esperanza para que la humanidad aborde la crisis mundial de biodiversidad, aunque todavía no está claro el efecto de la restauración de la autonomía no humana sobre las relaciones entre las personas y la naturaleza. Conceptualizamos tres relaciones humanidad­naturaleza (RHN) que podrían ocurrir al restaurar la autonomía no humana: dicotomía, equilibrio y mutualismo, todas entre los humanos y la naturaleza. Realizamos 51 entrevistas para probar de forma empírica la ocurrencia de estas RHN con varios actores que viven y trabajan dentro de las dos iniciativas británicas de renaturalización más antiguas y así entender mejor el lugar de las personas en la renaturalización. Las HNR de los actores se alinearon con los tres marcos conceptuales, aunque estas relaciones fueron complejas. Los individuos frecuentemente mostraron tener varias perspectivas que trascendían la categoría de los actores. El marco tripartito también reveló valores conflictivos entre y en los individuos, lo que resultó en RHN pluralistas. Nuestro trabajo suma a la teoría y práctica en torno al lugar de la gente en la renaturalización con la prevención de una sola relación humanidad­naturaleza preferida cuando se restaura la autonomía no humana y con la recomendación de que la diversidad de interacciones humanas con la naturaleza debería integrarse al movimiento mundial de renaturalización.

Honokiol as an α-glucosidase inhibitor.

Honokiol, a naturally occurring compound from Magnolia obovata Thunb., has many biological activities, but its anti-α-glucosidase activity is still unclear. Therefore, we determined its inhibitory effects against α-glucosidase. Activity assays showed that honokiol was a reversible mixed-type inhibitor of α-glucosidase, and its IC50 value was 317.11 ± 12.86 µM. Fluorescence results indicated that the binding of honokiol to α-glucosidase caused a reduction in α-glucosidase activity. 3D fluorescence and CD spectra results indicated that the binding of honokiol to α-glucosidase caused conformational change in α-glucosidase. Docking simulated the detailed interactions between honokiol and α-glucosidase, including hydrogen and hydrophobic bonds. All findings showed that honokiol could be used as a natural inhibitor to develop α-glucosidase agents.

Field performance of 15 rain gardens in different cities in Taiwan.

Rain gardens are widely used for low impact development (LID) or as a nature-based solution (NbS). They help to reduce runoff, mitigate hot temperatures, create habitats for plants and insects, and beautify landscapes. Rain gardens are increasingly being established in urban areas. In Taiwan, the Ministry of Environment (MoE) initiated a rain garden project in Taipei city in 2018, and 15 rain gardens have since been constructed in different cities. These Taiwanese-style rain gardens contain an underground storage tank to collect the filtrated rainwater, which can be used for irrigation. Moreover, the 15 rain gardens are equipped with sensors to monitor temperature, rainfall, and underground water levels. The monitoring data were transmitted with Internet of Things (IoT) technology, enabling the capture and export of real-time values. The water retention, temperature mitigation, water quality, and ecological indices of the rain gardens were quantified using field data. The results from the young rain gardens (1-3 years) showed that nearly 100 % of the rainfall was retained onsite and did not flow out from the rain gardens; however, if the stored water was not used and the tanks were full, the rainwater from subsequent storms could not be stored, and the tanks overflowed. The surface temperatures of the rain garden and nearby impermeable pavement differed by an average of 2-4 °C. This difference exceeded 20 °C in summer at noon. The water in the underground storage tanks had very low levels of SS and BOD, with averages of 1.6 mg/L and 5.6 mg/L, respectively. However, the E. coli concentrations were high, and the average was 6283 CFU/100 mL; therefore, washing or drinking water is not recommended. The ecological indices, i.e., the Shannon and Simpson indices, demonstrated the good flora status of the rain gardens after one year. Although the weather differed by city, the performance of the rain gardens in terms of water retention, temperature mitigation, rainwater harvesting, and providing biological habitats was consistent. However, maintenance influences rain garden performance. If the stored water is not frequently used, the stored volume is reduced, and the stored water quality degrades.

Impact of a WWTP effluent overland flow on the properties of a mediterranean riparian soil.

In this work we aim to assess the impact of a WWTP effluent overland flow on properties and nutrient concentrations of a riparian soil, in order to explore the potential of this practice as a nature-based treatment. We set two study zones of 150 m2 on the field, one control and one that received the WWTP effluent on its surface for one month. Samples were taken before and after the effluent overland flow system, to test the impact of the effluent on soil properties through a BACI design, and after 17 months, to evaluate the recovery of the soil. Two depths were studied: 0-5 cm and 5-20 cm. The effluent overland flow triggered an increase in exchangeable sodium percentage and a decrease in nitrate concentration in both depths, and an increase in ammonium concentration in 0-5 cm depth. After 17 months, there were not found relevant differences among zones. In conclusion, this practice could be used in the purpose to reduce the nutrient concentrations of WWTP effluents. This practice could be relevant for regions where WWTP effluents are discharged in low-flow or intermittent streams, such as semi-arid regions or the Mediterranean region.

Slope protection effect of typical vegetation in the Three Gorges reservoir area under extreme rainfall.

In recent years, vegetation plays a key role in landslide stability under extreme rainfall in the Three Gorges Reservoir area, so it is very important to identify the mechanism of vegetation slope protection. This study takes wildcat landslide in Three Gorges Reservoir area as the research object, using indoor landslide model test and building monitoring systems such as stress field, displacement field, and soil erosion, to illustrate the protective effect of typical vegetation. Furthermore, Bermuda cover effectively reduces pore water pressure, pore soil pressure, displacement, and turbidity. In particular, the three stages of interception and buffering of rainfall by stems and leaves, infiltration and absorption of rainfall by the root system, and the reinforcement of the slope against sliding forces by the root system have been divided. Moreover, these findings offer valuable preliminary insights for guiding landslide mitigation strategies in the Three Gorges Reservoir area.

Framework for mapping large-scale nature-based solutions for drought mitigation: Regional application in Flanders.

Droughts are classified as the most expensive climate disasters as they leave long-term and chronic impacts on the ecosystem, agriculture, and human society. The intensity, frequency, and duration of drought events have increased in the past and are expected to continue rising at global, continental, and regional scales. Nature-based solutions (NBS) are highlighted as effective solutions to cope with the future impacts of these events. Despite this, there has been limited comprehensive research on the effectiveness of NBS for drought mitigation, and existing suitability mapping frameworks often overlook drought-specific criteria. To address this gap, a new framework is proposed to identify areas suitable for two drought-coping NBS types at a regional scale: detention basins and managed aquifer recharge. Two multi-criteria decision-making techniques (MCDM), i.e. Boolean logic and Analytic- Hierarchy Process (AHP), were used to map suitable large-scale NBS. The new framework accounts for unique criteria to specifically address drought conditions. By incorporating climate change scenarios for both surface and groundwater, recharge, and different groundwater characteristics, it identifies suitable and sustainable locations capable of managing extreme drought events. Executed through Boolean logic at a regional scale in Flanders (Belgium), the framework's strict approach yields significant potential areas for detention basins (298.7 km²) and managed aquifer recharge (867.5 km²). Incorporating AHP with the same criteria introduces a higher degree of flexibility for decision-makers. This approach shows a notable expansion across Flanders, varying with the level of suitability. The results underscore the highly suitable potential for detention basins (2552.2 km²) and managed aquifer recharge (2538.7 km²), emphasizing the adaptability and scalability of the framework for addressing drought in the region. The comparison between potential recharge volume due to detention basin and groundwater use in the region indicated that the detention basins could partially compensate for the high water demand. Therefore, creating a framework targeting drought is vital for the sustainable management of water scarcity scenarios.

A perspective on epigenomic aging processes in the human brain and their plasticity in patients with mental disorders - a systematic review.

The debate surrounding nature versus nurture remains a central question in neuroscience, psychology, and in psychiatry, holding implications for both aging processes and the etiology of mental illness. Epigenetics can serve as a bridge between genetic predisposition and environmental influences, thus offering a potential avenue for addressing these questions. Epigenetic clocks, in particular, offer a theoretical framework for measuring biological age based on DNA methylation signatures, enabling the identification of disparities between biological and chronological age. This structured review seeks to consolidate current knowledge regarding the relationship between mental disorders and epigenetic age within the brain. Through a comprehensive literature search encompassing databases such as EBSCO, PubMed, and ClinicalTrials.gov, relevant studies were identified and analyzed. Studies that met inclusion criteria were scrutinized, focusing on those with large sample sizes, analyses of both brain tissue and blood samples, investigation of frontal cortex markers, and a specific emphasis on schizophrenia and depressive disorders. Our review revealed a paucity of significant findings, yet notable insights emerged from studies meeting specific criteria. Studies characterized by extensive sample sizes, analysis of brain tissue and blood samples, assessment of frontal cortex markers, and a focus on schizophrenia and depressive disorders yielded particularly noteworthy results. Despite the limited number of significant findings, these studies shed light on the complex interplay between epigenetic aging and mental illness. While the current body of literature on epigenetic aging in mental disorders presents limited significant findings, it underscores the importance of further research in this area. Future studies should prioritize large sample sizes, comprehensive analyses of brain tissue and blood samples, exploration of specific brain regions such as the frontal cortex, and a focus on key mental disorders. Such endeavors will contribute to a deeper understanding of the relationship between epigenetic aging and mental illness, potentially informing novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

Diagnostic value of ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology in the pathological natures of thyroid nodules: A retrospective study.

Objective: Thyroid nodules, a clinical disease with high incidence, include benign and malignant types. This study aims to evaluate the diagnostic value of ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology (US-FNAC) in determining the pathological nature of thyroid nodules and to conduct an in-depth analysis of its diagnostic efficacy across nodules of varying sizes. Material and Methods: This retrospective study identified 116 patients undergoing thyroidectomy in Zibo Central hospital from January 2022 to March 2023, with 98 meeting the study's inclusion criteria. All patients received ultrasound and US-FNAC examinations before surgery to analyze the ultrasonic features of thyroid nodules. The diagnosis results of pathological natures obtained by US-FNAC were analyzed with the result of post-operative pathological examination as the gold standard. The patients were divided into four groups according to the median and quartile of nodular diameters to explore the diagnostic efficacy of US-FNAC for the pathological natures of thyroid nodules with various diameters and comprehensively evaluate its application value. The evaluation tool of diagnostic efficacy was the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve. Results: A total of 98 puncture nodules were evaluated, with a diameter of 0.8-5.2 cm. Post-operative pathological examination showed 10 (10.20%) benign and 88 (89.80%) malignant lesions. The ultrasound examination showed 14 (14.29%) benign and 84 (85.71%) suspected malignant lesions. The US-FNAC results showed 2 cases (2.04%) of type I, 9 cases (9.18%) of type II, 3 cases (3.06%) of type III, 29 cases (29.59%) of type IV, 39 cases (39.80%) of type V, and 16 cases (16.33%) of type VI, including 9 (9.18%) benign and 84 (85.72%) malignant lesions and 5 (5.10%) uncertain pathological natures. According to the median and quartile of nodular diameters, specifically, 1.90 (1.60, 2.30) cm, 93 nodules with decided pathological natures were divided into groups Q1 (n = 24, ≤1.6 cm), Q2 (n = 26, 1.7-1.9 cm), Q3 (n = 24, 2.0-2.3 cm), and Q4 (n = 19, >2.3 cm). The results of ROC analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity of US-FNAC diagnosis were 0.894, 98.80%, and 80.00%, respectively. The AUCs of US-FNAC in groups Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4 were 0.978, 1.000, 0.977, and 0.971. The AUCs of Q1 group, Q2 group, Q3 group and Q4 group were all > 0.9, and US-FNAC had high diagnostic efficiency for the pathological properties of thyroid nodules with different diameters. Conclusion: US-FNAC has a high diagnostic efficiency for the pathological properties of thyroid nodules. Whether the nodule diameter has an effect on the accuracy of this method requires more clinical evidence.

Retention forestry as a climate solution: Assessing biomass, soil carbon and albedo impacts in a northern temperate coniferous forest.

Forest management pathways for nature-based climate solutions, such as variable retention harvesting (VRH), have been gaining traction in recent years; however, their net biochemical and biophysical impacts remain unknown. Here, we use a combination of close-range and satellite remote sensing, eddy covariance technique, and ground-based biometric measurements to investigate forest thinning density and aggregation that maintain ecosystem nutrients, enhance tree growth and provide a negative feedback to the local climate in a northern temperate coniferous forest stand in Ontario, Canada. Our results showed that soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) in VRH plots were significantly lower (p < 0.05) for all VRH treatments compared to unharvested plots. On average, soil C was reduced by -0.64 ±â€¯0.22 Δ% C and N by -0.023 ±â€¯0.008 Δ% N in VRH plots. We also observed the largest loss of soil C and N in open areas of aggregate plots. Furthermore, the changes in albedo resulting from VRH treatment were equivalent to removing a large amount of C from the atmosphere, ranging from 1.3 ±â€¯0.2 kg C yr-1 m-2 in aggregate 33 % crown retention plots to 3.4 ±â€¯0.5 kg C yr-1 m-2 in dispersed 33 % crown retention plots. Our findings indicate that spatially dispersed VRH resulted in minimal loss of soil C and N and the highest understory growth and C uptake, while enhanced tree growth and local cooling through increased albedo were observed in dispersed VRH plots with the fewest residual trees. These findings suggest that using the harvested trees from VRH in a way that avoids releasing C into the atmosphere makes dispersed VRH the preferred forest management pathway for nature-based climate solutions.

Water quality and wetland vegetation responses to water level variations in a university stormwater reuse reservoir: Nature-based approaches to campus water sustainability.

In response to climate-driven water shortages, Duke University in 2014 constructed a water reuse reservoir and wetland complex (Pond) to capture urban stormwater and recycle water to provide campus cooling and reduce downstream loading of nutrients and sediment into Jordan Lake, a regional water supply. We postulated that even with significant water level changes due to withdrawals, the Pond would function to reduce downstream nutrients and sediment once wetland plants became established in the littoral zone. Throughout the project (2015-2021), baseflow nutrient concentrations downstream decreased, with Unfiltered Total Nitrogen (UTN) falling by 44 % and Unfiltered Total Phosphorus (UTP) by 50 %. Storm mean concentrations decreased by 31 % for UTN, 54 % for UTP, and 72 % for Total Suspended Solids (TSS). The annual reductions in mass fluxes (UTN, UTP, and TSS) were between 58 and 85 % across a range of storm intensities. Regardless of water level, temperature, pH, and oxygen concentrations downstream were not significantly changed. Between 2015 and 2020, a littoral survey of planted and naturally introduced species showed that wetter years resulted in a greater number of species across a gradient of three inundation zones (i.e., moist, wet, and aquatic). Conversely, dryer years resulted in fewer species across overlapping zones. The dominant plants that successfully colonized the Pond are all obligate wetland species despite the Pond's highly variable water depths and periods of inundation. The final plant populations were dominated by invasive native species supporting the self-design theory of plant succession as nearly half of the original planted species died. The reuse Pond design (pond-wetland complex) showed the capability of using stormwater runoff for campus cooling while improving water quality services and providing habitat for wetland plants. Thus, campuses with watershed runoff capture capability should consider a nature-based recycling approach as part of their water sustainability program.

Mechanisms of Change in Nature-Based Pediatric Occupational Therapy: The Ecology of Change in Outdoor Therapy Model.

The purpose of this qualitative constructivist grounded theory study was to develop a model to explain potential mechanisms of change in the nature-based pediatric occupational therapy process, based on analysis of the perspectives of occupational therapy practitioners currently engaging in nature-based practice with children. Using 27 photos and interview data from 22 participants the Ecology of Change in Outdoor Therapy (ECO-Therapy) Model was developed. The model suggests mechanisms of change in nature-based pediatric occupational therapy may involve six iterative phases: Longing for Freedom, Embarking on Adventure, Dancing with Nature, Claiming Self-Agency, Braving Real-Life Challenges, and Growing Adaptive Capacity. The practitioner and child experiencing these phases throughout the nature-based occupational therapy process may lead to improved participation and performance in the child's daily life.

"When she goes out, she feels better:" co-designing a Green Activity Program with Hispanic/Latino people living with memory challenges and care partners.

Purpose: Utilizing a participatory approach, we sought to co-design a 12-week Green Activity Program (GAP) with Hispanic/Latino individuals living with memory challenges and their care partners, local outdoor professionals, and healthcare providers. Methods: Participants were recruited via convenience and snowball sampling in the Bronx, New York with Hispanic/Latino persons living with memory challenges and care partners, outdoor activity professionals, and interdisciplinary healthcare providers/dementia experts. Co-design occurred iteratively with 5 focus groups and 4 individual interviews lasting 30-90 min and focused on program and research design. Sessions were recorded and transcribed. Utilizing directed content analysis data was coded using a priori codes program design and research design. Results: 21 participants completed co-design activities: (n = 8 outdoor activity professionals, n = 6 Hispanic/Latino persons living with memory challenges and care partners, and n = 7 interdisciplinary healthcare providers/dementia experts). Participant preferences for program design were captured by subcodes session duration (30-90 min), frequency (4-8 sessions), and delivery modes (in-person and phone). Participants' preferred nature activities included group exercise and outdoor crafts [crocheting], outcomes of social participation, connectedness to nature, decreased loneliness, and stewardship were identified. Preferred language for recruiting and describing the program were "memory challenges," "Hispanic/Latino," and "wellbeing." Referral pathways were identified including community-based organizations and primary care. Conclusion: Co-design was a successful form of engagement for people living with memory challenges that enabled participants to help design key elements of the GAP and research design. Our processes, findings, and recommendations for tailoring co-design to engage Hispanic/Latino people living with memory challenges can inform the development of other programs for this population.

Unlocking the tapestry of conservation: Navigating ecological resettlement policies in Nepal.

Conservation initiatives involve a complex interplay of various ecological, socio-political, and economic factors. Ecological resettlement (ER), implemented within the context of nature conservation policies, stands as one of the most contested issues worldwide. This study aims to navigate the domain of ER policy in conservation through discursive institutionalism and a policy arrangement approach. Focusing on Nepal's conservation policy pathways over the last seven decades, we critically analyze policy ideas and narratives, trends, patterns of policy development, institutional arrangements, driving factors, and responses to contemporary ER policies. Methods involved a systematic literature review (n = 271), a comprehensive review of policy documents and project reports (n > 150), and expert interviews (n = 20). Over the past 50 years, >7600 households in Nepal have been displaced in the name of ER and are still persisting despite the rhetoric of participatory conservation. With changes in political regimes, conservation policy has shifted from a hunting-focused approach to landscape-level and transboundary conservation. Initially influenced by internal factors such as economic and political governance, conservation policies were later shaped by international conservation discourse. Also, the operational sphere of such policy ideas and narratives - including actors, resources, discourses, and rules - along with trends, priorities, institutional arrangements, and driving factors of ER policies, has changed over time. Further, the exclusion of deprived communities and the capture of conservation benefits by elites have undermined conservation values. This research stresses the importance of a judicious balance between people's welfare and nature's integrity, emphasizing community-based natural resource management models accredited to a conservation standard. We further urge the revision of displacement-oriented conservation policies to secure the rights of Indigenous people and traditional landholders, thereby ensuring conservation and sustainable development at both national and global levels.

Are we afraid of the woods? - An investigation of the implicit and explicit fear reactions to forests.

The beneficial effects of nature exposure have been repeatedly documented and encourage frequent and regular contact with nature and especially highlight forests. However, in human history, forests have also been associated with negative emotions such as fear and were seen as dangerous environments. While existing literature could demonstrate that natural environments can evoke fear, the focus was on the explicit perception. Given that research has shown the significance of additional implicit processes in fear-related behaviour, we aim to explore the presence of an implicit fear response to forests. Therefore, in an online study, we investigated the explicit and implicit fear reactions to forests by a Northern German sample of N=256. Using three explicit measurements, we investigated fear and danger perception on a semantic and visual level of the stimulus category "forest" compared to the human-made urban green space "park" and the urban setting "house". Additionally, we assessed the unconscious response tendencies towards the forest within three implicit tasks: Subliminal Priming Procedure (SPP), Affect Misattribution Procedure (AMP) and Approach-Avoidance Task (AAT). Within the analyzed sample, the subliminally presented word forest evoked a stronger positive valence response compared to park. In contrast to houses, the forest showed a stronger approach and weaker avoidance tendency. At the same time, both the three explicit and one implicit measurement showed a stronger fear perception of forests compared to parks or houses. Considering the increasingly utilised beneficial effects of nature in interventions, these findings should be acknowledged when implementing nature exposure in interventions and treatments.

On the cost-effectiveness of Nature-based Solutions for reducing disaster risk.

The potential of ecosystem-based interventions, also known as Nature-based Solutions (NbS), for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) is now recognized by major national policies and international framework agreements. However, there is limited scientific evidence about their economic viability and equity impacts. We examined English-language peer-reviewed studies, published between 2000 and 2021, which undertook economic evaluations of NbS for DRR and CCA. Based on our results, 71 % of studies indicated that NbS have consistently proven to be a cost-effective approach to mitigating hazards and 24 % of studies found NbS cost-effective under certain conditions. The ecosystem-based interventions most frequently found effective in mitigating hazards are associated with mangroves (80 %), forests (77 %), and coastal ecosystems (73 %). Studies comparing the cost-effectiveness of NbS and engineering-based solutions for mitigating certain hazards showed that NbS are no less effective than engineering-based solutions. Among these studies, 65 % found that NbS are always more effective in attenuating hazards compared to engineering-based solutions and 26 % found that NbS are partially more effective. Our findings illustrate a range of factors, including the geographic locations of the NbS analyzed, their contribution to the restoration and increase of biodiversity, their property rights structure, their source of financing, and the economic methodologies employed to assess cost-effectiveness and distributional effects. The geographic location of the NbS observations included in this analysis was examined considering global projected temperature and precipitation changes.

Symbiogenesis Redicts the Monism of the Cosmos.

Symbiogenesis has been systematically exploited to understand consciousness as the aggregate of our physiology. The Symbiogenic mechanism for assimilation of factors in the environment formulates the continuum from inside the cell to the Cosmos, both consciousness and cosmology complying with the Laws of Nature. Since Symbiogenesis is 'constructive', whereas eliminating what threatens us is 'destructive', why do we largely practice Symbiogenesis? Hypothetically, Symbiogenesis recursively simulates the monism of our origin, recognizing 'something bigger than ourselves'. That perspective explains many heretofore unexplained aspects of consciousness, such as mind, epigenetic inheritance, physiology, behaviors, social systems, mathematics, the Arts, from an a priori perspective. Moreover, there is an energetic continuum from Newtonian to Quantum Mechanics, opening up to a novel way of understanding the 'true nature of our being', not as 'materialism', but instead being the serial homeostatic control of energy. The latter is consistent with the spirit of Claude Bernard and Walter B. Cannon's perspectives on physiology. Such a paradigm shift is overdue, given that materialism is causing the destruction of the Earth and ourselves.

Does daily nature exposure enhance children's self-worth and positive feelings? An experience sampling study.

Previous studies suggest that nature exposure has positive effects on children's cognitive performance and well-being . However, inconsistent evidence was found for effects on children's self-worth and feelings. These inconsistencies may be resolved by studying children's actual exposure and experiences in detail. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated the effect of daily nature exposure on children's self-worth and feelings with an experience sampling method. Sixty-six third graders (29 girls, mean age = 9.04 years) participated two to three times per day consecutively for 9 days. The resulting 1199 observations were analyzed and showed that when exposed to nature children reported significantly higher self-worth and positive feelings than when not exposed to nature, with baseline levels controlled. Positive feelings played mediating roles in relationships between nature exposure and children's self-worth. Our study strengthens the evidence on beneficial effects of nature on children's well-being. The mechanisms involved in this effect are discussed.

From individual resilience to collective response: reframing ecological emotions as catalysts for holistic environmental engagement.

The ongoing international study on the mental health implications of climate change has prompted a deeper exploration of ecological emotions such as eco-anxiety, eco-worry and eco-grief, which are associated with environmental degradation and the escalating climate crisis. Although psychological and mental health literature has mainly presented preliminary conceptual analyses, the understanding of ecological emotions remains unclear. This narrative review aims to clarify the definition, highlight precipitating factors, and outline the effects of ecological emotions on mental health, emphasizing the need for thorough research to shift the nonclinical intervention approach from merely promoting individual resilience to encouraging collective engagement. Our analysis of the literature reveals that the existing theoretical framework, which predominantly focuses on bolstering individual resilience, provides only temporary relief for acute symptoms without addressing the foundational social and environmental factors that trigger these ecological emotions. We conclude that it is crucial to overcome the limitations of Western anthropocentrism's human-to-human interaction approach and embrace the unity of humans and nature to effectively manage the increasing ecological emotions. This perspective draws insights from the holistic and collective wisdom of indigenous cultures and traditional Chinese philosophy, offering a potential pathway toward maintaining a sustainable emotional balance amid the worsening global ecological turmoil.