University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU) - Research portal
DrFOREST- Diversity of FORESTs affecting human health and well-being
- Project Leader
- Godbold Douglas L., Project Leader
- Duration:
- 01.02.2020-31.07.2023
- Programme:
- ERA-Net Biodiversa
- Type of Research
- Basic Research
- Project partners
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Albert-Ludwig-Universität Freiburg, Germany.
Contact person: Michael Scherer-Lorenzen;
Function of the Project Partner: Koordinator
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Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Wien, Austria.
Contact person: Daniela Haluza;
Function of the Project Partner: Partner
- Staff
- BOKU Research Units
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Institute of Forest Ecology
- Funded by
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Fonds zur Förderung der wissenschaftlichen Forschung (FWF) , Sensengasse 1, 1090 Wien, Austria
- Abstract
- The Dr. FOREST project quantifies four important pathways of how forest diversity can improve and reduce risks to human mental and physical health : (i) provision of visual aesthetics and soundscapes, (ii) provision of nutritional and medicinal forest products, as well as a comfortable microclimate, (iii) dilution of disease vectors, and (iv) mitigation of air pollution.
The project relies on a rigorous experimental design that allows quantification of tree diversity effects on human health, by working in controlled tree diversity experiments as well as comparative studies in natural forests of differing diversity, in four climatic regions of Central Europe.
All empirical Work Packages and Tasks are handled by teams composed each of both natural and medical scientists, ensuring cross-disciplinary collaborations and synergies.
Interactions with relevant stakeholders to refine research questions and to promote health-friendly biodiversity in forests, as well as formulation of management guidelines will ensure high relevance for health policy and forest administration.
- Keywords
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Forest ecology;
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