Effect of forest biodiversity on human health and well-being

This PhD project is part of a larger international collaboration, including partners and field sites in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany and Poland, and will be constituted of two main objectives. The first objective is to quantify the climate-buffering effect of forests in function of their biodiversity using data loggers. Generated qualitative measures will be then compared to an assessment of any climate-buffering effects that are actually perceived by human subjects. Accordingly, human subjects will be lead into forest plots with contrasting species diversity and subjects’ sensorial perceptions of different plots will be assessed. The second main objective is to compile data from: i) the first objective, ii) international partners working on other aspects of forest diversity effects on human health and well being (medical, social, psychological), and iii) scientific literature. Different data sources will then be used within a synthesizing statistical model (i.e. a Bayesian Belief Network), which will allow to distinguish any trade-offs or synergies arising among the different mechanisms through which forest diversity affects health. Results will be ultimately translated into management and policy guidelines.