Heading for the coast this weekend?

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.

 For more information on the Zoology, Surf & Marine Science courses available at Cornwall College Newquay please visit www.cornwall.ac.uk or call 0330 123 2523.