Year: 2017 | Month: June | Volume 5 | Issue 1
Knowledge and Perception on the Interrelationship between Biodiversity and Human Health in Lagos, Nigeria
DOI:10.5958/2321-7111.2017.00005.1
Abstract:
As modern society emerged, and the human population condensed into urban areas, industrialization disallowed many people from reliance on direct consumptive interactions with nature. Although, there is mounting empirical evidence that interacting with nature delivers measurable benefits to people. However, contributions from ecologists are few in number, perhaps hindering the identification of key ecological features of the natural environment that deliver human benefits. This study therefore assessed peoples’ knowledge and perception on the interrelationship between biodiversity and human health. A mixed method of data collection was used and these include combining data from surveys, document reviews, information from participants and key informants through questionnaire (301) and oral interviews. Result revealed that larger percentage of the respondents were male (71.9%) while 28.1% were female. 51.7% of the respondents strongly agreed and understood the impacts of biodiversity on mental health. This is followed by those that agree (41.3%) to a lower degree. 4.7% of the respondents were not sure. Majority of the people (70.4%) strongly opined that mental health describes the balanced and emotional state of mind; and that it is irrespective of age and social status (71.3% and 22.3%). They further strongly agreed that nature and living things in the environment makes human feels good (70.1%)., a greater part of the respondents strongly agree that exposure to nature have restorative effects (66.4%) and 29.5% agreed with this. 45.1% and 49.2% strongly agreed and agreed respectively that participation in outdoor recreation can lead to mental health improvement. Biodiversity is important and should be conserved for its values and benefits to human health and well-being. Increased understanding of these health benefits may improve public support for conservation.
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