Researchers from the Senckenberg Nature Research Society and the University of Kiel (Germany) have found that bird species diversity within European countries positively correlates with life satisfaction and happiness among residents of those countries.
The scientists have used data from the “2012 European Quality of Life Survey”, which included 26,749 people from 26 European countries.
Biodiversity data have been taken from atlases, range maps, satellite images and monitoring studies of species distribution in an area.
For each area, they have estimated the density of green spaces, the percentage of protected areas, the surface area of water bodies and the diversity of landscapes.
After that they have estimated how the dependent variable (life satisfaction) was affected by the independent variables (diversity of bird species, animals, trees, landscapes, presence of protected areas, access to green spaces and parks) by fitting these variables one by one into the model.
Previous studies have shown that city residents living in close proximity to parks and other areas with an abundance of green spaces and ponds are more satisfied with their lives than those who live far from them.
In new work, the authors have focused on bird diversity as the most conspicuous wildlife, especially in urban settings.
As a result, the researchers have found that a 10 percent increase in bird species richness leads to a 0.052 increase in the life satisfaction index. At the same time, the richness of mammal or tree species in a given area does not significantly affect this indicator.
Regarding other characteristics, the researchers have found a positive relationship between life satisfaction, happiness levels and people’s access to recreational areas.
Source: nplus1.ru