ABSTRACT
The scale of biodiversity examined in relation to human well-being can vary considerably, from continents to specific environments including a certain landmass, a specific nation-state, geographical regions in a country, and specific places. Evidence regarding links between biodiversity and cognitive outcomes is largely limited to qualitative research and to that which encompasses self-reported psychological restoration, of which cognition is component. The majority of evidence for links between biodiversity and psychological well-being involves affective processes and outcomes. Biodiversity is related to self-reported cognitive processing of environments, as well as cognitive outcomes in such environments. Systematic reviews reveal mixed evidence for links between biodiversity and well-being, with some positive links and several null or even negative relationships, as well as inconsistency between subjective and objective measures of biodiversity. Presence of biodiversity or biodiversity gain can directly benefit health by enabling secure food production, preventing the spread of infectious diseases and providing nature-based medicine.
