Whether one prefers long walks, hikes, or connecting with wildlife through meditation and exercise, spending time in nature is beneficial for mental and physical health and wellbeing. Over time, as population increases and towns and cities occupy larger areas, nature is more difficult to access. As people migrate to urban areas, they tend to forget the importance of spending time outside in nature. According to an article by Hannah Ritchie and Max Roser, it is predicted that by 2050, close to 7 billion people will live in urban areas (Ritchie & Roser, 2018).
Wetlands and Urbanization
Wetlands are water-rich natural areas that occur mainly along rivers, coastal plains, and deltas. These areas are often subject to urbanization. As a result of urban expansions, groundwater levels decrease, which puts pressure on wetland functions.
Urban wetlands serve as green spaces where city dwellers can recreate and connect with nature. These wetlands are designed so that the polluted water from its surroundings is filtered through the artificial wetland. Unlike natural wetlands, flow patterns can change and specific zones fall dry over time. Artificial wetlands are partially controlled by humans, making these wetlands less dynamic than natural wetlands. As a result, certain visual qualities and uses remain seemingly unchanged over time.
Artificial Wetlands as Affordable Wastewater Treatment
Urban wetlands have the capability to purify urban water efficiently and affordably. Unlike conventional waste-water treatment systems, artificial wetlands are a substantially cheaper solution that require minimal maintenance (EPA, 2015).
The EPA provides several resources for the design and implementation constructed wetlands for the purpose of recycling urban wastewater. They state in their article “Constructed Wetlands for Wastewater Treatment and Wildlife Habitat” that constructed wetlands treatment systems fall into two categories: Free Water Surface Systems and Subsurface Flow Systems. These categories are differentiated by their targeted use objectives; Subsurface Flow Systems are focused on improving water quality, while Free Water Surface Systems are utilized to improve wetland habitat functions (EPA, 2015). Subsurface Flow Systems are designed to filter water through a permeable material below the wetlands surface, as to not create any nuisances or odors (EPA, 2015). This system would be an ideal mechanism for urban wetlands as residents could enjoy the green space while the wastewater below them is purified.
Both natural and urban wetlands play a critical role in coastal stabilization and flood protection. Sediment settles down in deltas, thus creating a natural barrier that prevents water from penetrating deeper into the soil. The multiple roles wetlands play for humans, as well as urban environments, are the reason why more constructed wetlands have been utilized as green space in recent years.
Importance of Urban Wetlands for Overall Wellbeing
The benefits of urban wetlands’ ecosystem services are immeasurable, but how are urban wetlands used as a means of social prescribing? Does spending time in nature, specifically wetlands, positively impact overall health and wellbeing?
Several studies related to physiological and psychological changes show positive changes when people move from urban areas to rural environments. Evidence suggests that coastal habitats have been shown to improve our health, body, and mind (Garrett et al., 2019). However, it is unknown whether wetlands have the same psychological affects.
For that purpose, the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust and Imperial College London undertook an innovative study with the primary goal to collect scientific evidence to demonstrate the importance of urban wetlands and social prescribing. The results suggest that urban wetlands improve the mood and increase the positive energy in all participants (Reeves et al., 2021). Even stressed participants showed a higher influence of wetland benefits (Reeves et al., 2021). The conclusion was that urban wetlands provide an opportunity to stop and reduce stress or bring individuals to ‘baseline’ (Reeves et al., 2021). By having a network of urban wetlands, people can quickly recharge and manage feelings such as stress, depression, and anxiety, as well as the added benefits for biodiversity and pollution control.
Sources:
Environmental Protection Agency. (2015). Constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment and wildlife habitat. Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2015-10/documents/2004_10_25_wetlands_introduction.pdf.
Garrett, J.K., Clitherow, T.J., White, M.P., Wheeler, B.W., Fleming, L.E. (2019). Coastal proximity and mental health among urban adults in England: The moderating effect of household income. Health & Place, 59: 102200. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2019.102200.
Reeves, J.P., John, C.H.D., Wood, K.A., & Maund, P.R. (2021). A qualitative analysis of UK wetland visitor centres as a health resource. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(16): 8629. Retrieved from doi: 10.3390/ijerph18168629.
Ritchie, H. & Roser, M. (2018). Urbanization. Our World in Data. Retrieved from https://ourworldindata.org/urbanization#citation.