Ecotherapy - A Forgotten Ecosystem Service: A Review.

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Psychology
• Ecosystem Services

Background:

• Natural ecosystems provide vital services, often undervalued.
• Ecotherapy, interaction with nature for healing, is a neglected ecosystem service.
• The economic and psychological costs of diminished nature interaction are significant.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the role of nature and ecosystem services in ecotherapy.
• To review studies on the connection between ecosystem services and recovery from illness.
• To highlight the underappreciated benefits of nature for human well-being.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies evaluating the ecosystem service-recovery connection.
• Analysis of the relationship between ecosystems, their services, and human well-being.
• Examination of ecotherapy benefits in physical and mental health recovery.

Main Results:

• Nature interaction (ecotherapy) enhances healing and growth.
• Loss of this service leads to slower recovery, distress, and reduced well-being.
• The link between ecosystem services and human recovery is poorly understood and acknowledged.

Conclusions:

• Ecotherapy is a critical, yet overlooked, ecosystem service.
• Recognizing and valuing nature's role in healing is essential for human well-being.
• Further research and acknowledgment are needed to integrate ecotherapy into health and economic frameworks.