152
Which Theories Address Biodiversity? Biodiversity is explicitly considered in
fractal geometry, the Biophilia Hypothesis, and the Ecosystem Service Cascade
Model. Fractal dimensions have been used to determine habitat quality (Imre and
Bogaert 2004), landscape structure and composition (Pe’er et al. 2013), habitat
complexity (Dibble and Thomaz 2009) and species richness of an area (Stevens
2018). The Biophilia Hypothesis posits a preference for animals, plants and natural
environments, but it does not specify which species or landscape types are best for
fulfilling the biophilic need for connection to nature (Sundli Tveit et al. 2013).
Further, the strongest work on the Biophilia Hypothesis is with its opposite, biophobia, the fear of specific animals and landscapes (Ulrich 1993). The Ecosystem
Table 7.2 (continued)
Framework Description
Biodiversity
conceptualisation
Mental well-being
conceptualisation
Mediating
pathways
Stress
Reduction
Theory
(SRT)
Environments
facilitate
recovery from
physiological
arousal and
psychological
stress
Restorative
environments are
characterised by
visual characteristics:
moderate complexity;
moderate depth; a
focal point; deflected
vistas (e.g. path
bending away); a
ground surface
conducive for
movement; lack of
threat; and water.
Biodiversity is
considered to be a
measure of an
environment’s
complexity
Reduced
physiological
arousal,
psychological stress
and reduced
negative affect, and
enhanced positive
affect
Autonomic
nervous system
Attention
Restoration
Theory
(ART)
Personenvironment
transactions in
environments
facilitate
restoration from
directed
attention fatigue
A restorative
environment is one
that requires little
cognitive effort.
Natural environments
are more likely to
permit and promote
restoration.
Biodiversity is not
explicitly considered
Ability to
concentrate or
direct attention.
This is an executive
cognitive function,
required to process
information, and
inhibit and plan
behaviour and
problem solving
Experiential
qualities between
the person and the
environment will
help restore
directed attention:
fascination;
coherence;
compatibility and;
being away
Ecosystem
Service
Cascade
Model details
the links
between
biodiversity and
human values
through
ecosystem
services
Any biophysical
structure or process.
But biodiversity can
also be part of an
ecosystem function
and ecosystem service
Ecosystem service
benefit is described
as “something that
directly impacts on
the welfare of
people”
Ecosystem
functions and
ecosystem
services
M. R. Marselle
Which Theories Address Biodiversity? Biodiversity is explicitly considered in
fractal geometry, the Biophilia Hypothesis, and the Ecosystem Service Cascade
Model. Fractal dimensions have been used to determine habitat quality (Imre and
Bogaert 2004), landscape structure and composition (Pe’er et al. 2013), habitat
complexity (Dibble and Thomaz 2009) and species richness of an area (Stevens
2018). The Biophilia Hypothesis posits a preference for animals, plants and natural
environments, but it does not specify which species or landscape types are best for
fulfilling the biophilic need for connection to nature (Sundli Tveit et al. 2013).
Further, the strongest work on the Biophilia Hypothesis is with its opposite, biophobia, the fear of specific animals and landscapes (Ulrich 1993). The Ecosystem
Table 7.2 (continued)
Framework Description
Biodiversity
conceptualisation
Mental well-being
conceptualisation
Mediating
pathways
Stress
Reduction
Theory
(SRT)
Environments
facilitate
recovery from
physiological
arousal and
psychological
stress
Restorative
environments are
characterised by
visual characteristics:
moderate complexity;
moderate depth; a
focal point; deflected
vistas (e.g. path
bending away); a
ground surface
conducive for
movement; lack of
threat; and water.
Biodiversity is
considered to be a
measure of an
environment’s
complexity
Reduced
physiological
arousal,
psychological stress
and reduced
negative affect, and
enhanced positive
affect
Autonomic
nervous system
Attention
Restoration
Theory
(ART)
Personenvironment
transactions in
environments
facilitate
restoration from
directed
attention fatigue
A restorative
environment is one
that requires little
cognitive effort.
Natural environments
are more likely to
permit and promote
restoration.
Biodiversity is not
explicitly considered
Ability to
concentrate or
direct attention.
This is an executive
cognitive function,
required to process
information, and
inhibit and plan
behaviour and
problem solving
Experiential
qualities between
the person and the
environment will
help restore
directed attention:
fascination;
coherence;
compatibility and;
being away
Ecosystem
Service
Cascade
Model details
the links
between
biodiversity and
human values
through
ecosystem
services
Any biophysical
structure or process.
But biodiversity can
also be part of an
ecosystem function
and ecosystem service
Ecosystem service
benefit is described
as “something that
directly impacts on
the welfare of
people”
Ecosystem
functions and
ecosystem
services
M. R. Marselle