The Environmental and Psychological

Benefits of LandscapingAGSC 361

Landscape Design, Construction, and Maintenance

Set up your notes…Benefit DescriptionSoil Erosion Control

Air Purification

Habitat Protection

Microclimate ModerationSolar Glare Reduction/ Heat Dissipation

Pollution Control

Utility Savings

Leisure & Relaxation

Positive Image

Crime Reduction

Mental/Physical Health

Increase Productivity

Therapy

Objectives

Recognize environmental benefits of landscaping.

Identify psychological benefits of landscaping. Describe the role of plants and landscaping in

the development of healthy neighborhoods and communities.

Objectives

Describe horticultural and physical therapy programs that utilize landscaping.

Defend landscaping efforts based on the benefits of landscaping and research findings.

Introduction

Plants and the outdoor environment influence the natural behavior and relationships people have with nature.

These interactions promote healthy and positive attitudes because of the natural beauty of the outdoors and the sense of relaxation and recreation it provides.

Introduction

The more nature is a part of people’s daily lives, the better they feel and think, and the greater their quality of life.

Plants and nature, and the associations that people have with them, have many environmental and psychological benefits.

Environmental Benefits of Landscaping

Soil Erosion Control Air Purification

Habitat Protection Microclimate Moderation

Solar Glare Reduction and Heat Dissipation Pollution Control

Utility Savings

Soil Erosion Control

Landscaped areas have less erosion problems than areas that are not landscaped.

Roots of landscape plants hold soil particles in place that would otherwise be displaced by wind or water.

Soil Erosion Control

Roots and foliage of turfgrass and ground- covers reduce the velocity and eroding effects of rapidly moving surface water. This allows more water

to soak into the ground, replenishes soil moisture, and recharges the ground water supply.

Air Purification

Through the process of photosynthesis, plants help purify the air by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen.One large tree removes up to 26 lbs. of

carbon dioxide every year.One large tree can produce about 13 lbs. of

oxygen every year.• This is enough to support a family of four.

Air Purification

Landscape plants also help filter dust particles from the air.Dust particles may consist of pollen grains

and disease-causing bacteria and viruses, all of which can cause respiratory problems for people and animals.

Habitat Protection

Trees and plants in the landscape can serve as a source of food and shelter for birds and other types of wildlife.

Healthy turfgrass can aid in fire prevention by serving as a barrier to protect a residence and control the spreading of wildfire.

Microclimate Moderation

Microclimate refers to the climate of a small, specific space within a landscape site that differs from the climate of the overall region.

Microclimates may be formed by plants and hardscape features in a landscape.

Microclimate Moderation

Microclimates in a landscape may include the following: Areas shaded by trees. Fences creating wind breaks

and redirecting air flow. Areas warmed due to

sidewalks, paved areas, and lack of turf or ground cover.

Several microclimates may exist depending on how much shade, sun, or wind exposure different areas receive.

Microclimate Moderation

When strategically placed, dense canopies of evergreen trees or shrubs redirect wind.Thus serving as a windbreak and minimizing

wind damage to structures and plants. Shaded areas provide higher humidity and

moderate temperatures during the summer, thus increasing the level of human comfort.Tree and shrub canopies release water vapor

during transpiration.

Microclimate Moderation

During the summer, deciduous trees provide shade and reduce the typically higher temperatures existing on the southern and western exposures of a home.

During the winter, sunlight penetrates the branch framework of deciduous trees to provide a natural warming effect.

Solar Glare Reduction and Heat Dissipation

Plant canopies diffuse and disperse direct rays and heat associated with solar glare.

Incorporating trees and shrubs in “heat islands” reduces heat buildup caused by solar glare and heat reflection.

Solar Glare Reduction and Heat Dissipation

“Heat islands” are large, open paved areas. Typically 10 to 30 degrees

warmer than nearby areas with shade trees and turfgrass.

Retain large amounts of heat and seldom cool during the summer.

Pollution Control

Landscape plants aid in the control of soil, water, air, and noise pollution.

Plant roots trap and degrade soil pollutants such as chemical wastes that could affect ground water and surface water quality.

Plant canopies trap air-borne pollutants and reduce dust and smog.

Pollution Control

Plant canopies reduce noise by up to 50%. Plant leaves and canopies diffuse and reflect sound

waves, thus reducing the intensity of noise.

Utility Savings

Trees and shrubs can reduce energy demands by up to 60%.Reduced energy

demands may reduce heating and cooling costs by up to 20%.

Utility Savings

During the summer, tree canopies absorb up to 85% of sun’s direct rays.A large shade tree can lower temperature by

10 degrees and absorb as much heat as several window air conditioning units.

Eight average-size front lawns have the same cooling affect as about 70 tons of air conditioning.

Utility Savings

Selecting plants adapted for the conditions of a landscape site reduces the amount of water needed to maintain the plants on the site.

Proper mulching helps conserve soil moisture and reduces the need and frequency for watering.

Psychological Benefits of Landscaping

Plants affect people psychologically, physiologically, and socially in many positive ways. Psychological refers to the mind or emotions. Physiological refers to the healthy or normal

functioning of a person.

Socially refers to how people interact with other people

Plants in a person’s surroundings affect the person’s attitudes, whether his/her interest in nature is active or passive.

Psychological Benefits of Landscaping

Most people have an innate preference toward nature and to a relaxed natural environment.

As people in society pursue an active, fast-paced lifestyle, their interactions with nature and a natural environment become reduced.Studies have shown that this increases

mental and physical health issues, societal problems, and negative mental attitudes.

Psychological Benefits of Landscaping

Studies have shown that landscaping benefits people and society in that it:Provides a means for leisure and relaxation.Creates a positive image.Reduces criminal activity.Increases worker productivity.Improves mental and physical health.

Leisure and Relaxation

Fast paced lifestyles result in living and working environments filled with mental, visual, and physical complexity.These complexities often lead to damaging

levels of physiological and psychological stress.

Leisure and Relaxation

Plants and a landscaped environment create a less complex environment and offer an escape from fast- paced routines.

Outdoor living environments offer a sense of leisure and relaxation.

Leisure and Relaxation

Studies have shown that even brief, visual contact with plants can lead to mental recovery from stress within a few minutes.

Leisure and Relaxation

Gardening and landscaping are hobbies for many people. These hobbies provide

a sense of relaxation and stress relief.

Positive Image

Gardening and landscaping activities provide a sense of self-pride, satisfaction, and accomplishment for individuals.

Landscaping also provides a positive image for neighborhoods and communities.

A well-landscaped, attractive neighborhood increases its appeal.

Positive Image

Surveys of families moving to a new community consider the visual appeal of a community a top consideration.

Well-landscaped parks and places for taking walks are also an important factor to consider for many. Up to 99% of retirement

community residents feel that areas for walking and interacting with nature are essential.

Positive Image Studies have shown that

people living in well-landscaped neighborhoods have improved relations with their neighbors. Gardening and landscaping

create opportunities for neighbors to share values and interests.

• This leads to friendly interaction and cooperation among neighbors.

Positive Image

Studies have shown that people living in well-landscaped neighborhoods have a greater satisfaction and appreciation for their surroundings.

This establishes a neighborhood environment that is physically and aesthetically pleasing in which to live and work.

Positive Image

Residents of landscaped areas tend to have stronger ties within the community.

The visually pleasing appearance of neighborhoods within a community makes people proud to be a part of the community.Thus, appearance and attitudes of residents

enhance the economic and social status of the community.

Positive Image

Researchers have found that landscaping is the fastest and most cost efficient way to change the negative perceptions of an area.

Landscaping can enhance and improve the psychological and economic health of a community.

Crime Reduction

Research has shown that urban and inner city areas have higher crime rates and higher frequencies of certain social and mental problems.This may be attributed to the residents’ lack of

contact with nature.

Crime Reduction

Studies have shown that community gardens and landscaped areas in urban areas are effective in reducing crime and social related problems.These “green” spaces provide a place for

people to interact with neighbors, work together, and develop a cooperative attitude and sense of community.

Crime Reduction

Property and buildings in landscaped areas are less likely to be damaged and vandalized.

The occurrence of littering, graffiti, and broken windows is less frequent in landscaped areas.

People perceive well-landscaped inner city areas to be safer and more user-friendly than others.

Increased Worker Productivity

Studies show that employees with an outside view of plants in the landscape have greater satisfaction and less pressure in their job than those with no outside view. Such a view results in

increased job productivity and a decrease in stress-related ailments such as headaches and mental fatigue.

Improved Mental and Physical Health

Exposure and interaction with landscape plants or garden settings can improve both mental and physical health.

Both active and passive interaction with plants results in positive changes in people’s attitudes, behaviors, and quality of life.

Improved Mental and Physical Health

Gardening and landscaping activities provide a means for reducing mental and physical stress.Such activities help a person feel better,

become less irritable, experience less fear and anger, and become more focused and positive.

Improved Mental and Physical Health

Gardening and landscaping activities provide many cardiovascular and physiological health benefits. These benefits include: lower

blood pressure, improved heart rate, increased blood circulation, and reduced muscle tension.

These activities provide moderate to vigorous levels of exercise for people of all ages.

Therapy Programs

Working with plants has become a part of many horticultural therapy and physical therapy programs.

Therapy programs frequently serve older adults, children, people with disabilities, and those whose motor skills have been affected by injury.

Therapy Programs

Since the late 1800s, horticulture has been used in psychiatric hospitals as a rehabilitation treatment for people with a variety of mental and physical disabilities.

In recent years, therapy programs involving horticulture have expanded greatly in geriatric centers, rehabilitation hospitals, and facilities for developmentally disabled people.

Therapy Programs

People working with plants as part of a therapy program show increased confidence, higher self-esteem, and positive psychological and physical changes that improve their quality of life.

Therapy Programs

Many therapy programs involve various motor skills and hand manipulations.Such programs benefit

those with decreased strength, coordination, hand motion capabilities, and motor skills.

Therapy Programs

Studies have shown that post-operative patients with a view of outdoor landscapes require a shorter stay than other patients.

Such patients also require fewer and less potent pain medication and have fewer negative staff evaluations regarding their care.

Therapy Programs

Visits to and walks through hospital gardens and landscaped areas help patients recover more quickly from anxieties, mental fatigue, and depression they may have experienced before surgery and during recovery.This leads to shorter recovery time in the

hospital and a quicker return to work.

Summary

Plants and the outdoor environment influence people’s natural behavior and relationships with nature.

Scientific studies show that plants and people’s relationships with plants and nature have many environmental and psychological benefits.

Summary

Environmental benefits of landscaping include:Soil Erosion ControlAir PurificationHabitat ProtectionMicroclimate ModerationSolar Glare Reduction and Heat DissipationPollution ControlUtility Savings

Summary

Psychological benefits of landscaping include:Providing a means for leisure and relaxation.Creating a positive image.Reducing criminal activity.Increasing worker productivity.Improving mental and physical health.

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2007