Green Infrastructure, Ecosystem Services, and Human Health

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Ecology
• Public Health

Background:

• Ecological models emphasize the natural environment's role in supporting human health through ecosystem services.
• Existing literature often underrepresents the broad impact of green infrastructure on health and ecosystem services.
• A comprehensive understanding of green infrastructure's health co-benefits is crucial for conservation and public health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive overview of the health co-benefits associated with green infrastructure.
• To serve as a primer for understanding the multifaceted impacts of green infrastructure on health.
• To encourage further research and interdisciplinary collaboration in environmental health and conservation.

Main Methods:

• Literature survey and synthesis.
• Comprehensive review of existing research on green infrastructure and health.
• Identification and categorization of ecosystem services and their health co-benefits.

Main Results:

• Green infrastructure offers a wide array of health co-benefits beyond commonly recognized services.
• The influence of green infrastructure on essential ecosystem services supporting health is pervasive and significant.
• Numerous, simultaneously acting health benefits stem from green infrastructure exposure and access.

Conclusions:

• A more exhaustive understanding of green infrastructure's health co-benefits is needed.
• This comprehensive review aims to foster consilience across disciplines for landscape conservation.
• Further research and integrated approaches are vital to protect and improve health through natural environments.