Wie Wälder wirken: Die Bedeutung der Biodiversität für die mentale Gesundheit von Kindern und Erwachsenen

In the organizer's words:

The drastic loss of biodiversity represents a crisis that also threatens human health and ultimately the existence of humankind. Although understanding the causal links between biodiversity and human health is of the highest societal relevance, the concrete effects, especially on mental health, are poorly understood: Does a decline in biodiversity also cause a decline in well-being? Do biodiverse habitats have a fundamentally positive influence on mental health? In order to answer these questions, we investigate the perception and appreciation of plant biodiversity by people of different ages, especially children and adolescents, compared to adults, and how this affects their emotional experience. The focus of the lecture will be on forests and the perception of trees. First results of a survey on the effect of forests that are more or less species-rich will be presented and it will be discussed whether people value more species-rich forests more than forests with fewer species, and whether this can be explained by certain aesthetic preferences for certain tree species. Finally, a comparative cultural study will be presented in which children in India, Zambia and Germany draw their forests in order to illustrate which aspects of biodiversity are perceived as particularly important in the respective cultural contexts.

Speaker: Prof. Dr. Katja Liebal

Location: Goethestraße 3-5, 1st floor, R. 1.25/26

Further information on the program of the lecture series and booking can be found on the website of the Scientific Continuing Education.

Price information:

Alternatively, tickets are available at the entrance.