By Dr Peter McGregor (Research Coordinator, Science & Natural Environment, The Cornwall
College Group)
The recent spell of fine weather has lifted
moods and shown Cornwall at its biodiverse and beautiful best. It’s easy to
personally appreciate the benefits a little sunshine brings to Cornwall’s
natural assets when you live here, but did you know that the positive benefits
of spending time in the natural environment, such as reduced mental fatigue and negative mood,
are well-documented scientifically?
Most
investigations of such benefits have been carried out in urban parks, so it was
good to see research published recently on how wildlife behaviour in a marine
setting influences these effects.
Led
by Dr Mat White of the European Centre for Environment and Human Health, the
research team also involved Plymouth University, the RSPB and National Marine
Aquariums. Researchers asked around 1500 people how they perceived several
locations represented by videos and photographs in terms of their willingness
to visit and restorative potential. The results showed that coastal
settings with higher perceived biodiversity were rated as offering
greater restorative potential. Respondents also reported they were more willing
to visit them. What better motivation is there to explore what Cornwall has to
offer?
The
results also showed that men tended to be more sensitive to biodiversity levels
and older respondents considered coastal settings in general to offer more
potential to restore. As I fall into both sub-categories, I now know why I
spend my weekends kayaking on Cornwall’s wonderful coast and why I seek out the
more remote and wildlife-friendly sections.
The
study’s findings probably also explain why our students at Cornwall College
Newquay clock up more smiles per student than elsewhere in the UK. As a
specialist provider of degree programmes in Zoology, Marine and Surf Science,
you are more likely to find our students out on the beach at Tolcarne or taking
samples knee-deep in the Gannel Estuary than you are in the classroom – they
are experiencing first hand the positive effects of biodiverse coastal
habitats.
So
why not head for the coast this weekend? Be it the craggy cliffs of the Lizard
Peninsula, the windswept towans at Hayle, or the sheltered coves around St
Agnes, we are spoilt for choice. And science has shown us it’s doing us the
world of good. Maybe I’ll see you there.
