Vainio Kaisa Kristiina, Takala Tuomo, Limpens Juul, Lummaa Karoliina, Korrensalo Aino, Räsänen Aleksi, Tuittila Eeva-Stiina
School of Forest Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu, Finland.
University of Turku, Turku, Finland.
Ambio. 2025 May;54(5):850-868. doi: 10.1007/s13280-024-02098-1. Epub 2025 Jan 27.
Trees offer multiple benefits, including impacts on physical and mental health. In this interdisciplinary study, we explored the relationships humans develop with specific favourite trees based on our survey data (n = 158) collected in the Netherlands. Here, we examined action possibilities (affordances) provided by trees, including immaterial actions, such as memorisation or the enjoyment of beauty. We implemented the affordance theory with mixed-method analysis. We identified three distinct types of human-arboreal relationships offering a different variety of action possibilities: nostalgic relationships, nurturing relationships, and empowering relationships. We assume that when humans form relationships with trees, the essence of trees is not their characteristics, but the possibilities for action. We recommend that urban green spaces would support interactions between humans and trees. By strengthening our connectedness with nature, it is possible to promote both human well-being and to strengthen environmentally responsible values and behaviours.
树木带来诸多益处，包括对身心健康的影响。在这项跨学科研究中，我们根据在荷兰收集的调查数据（n = 158），探究了人类与特定喜爱树木之间形成的关系。在此，我们研究了树木提供的行动可能性（可供性），包括非物质性行动，如记忆或欣赏美。我们采用混合方法分析实施了可供性理论。我们识别出三种不同类型的人类与树木的关系，它们提供了不同种类的行动可能性：怀旧关系、培育关系和赋能关系。我们假定，当人类与树木建立关系时，树木的本质并非其特征，而是行动的可能性。我们建议城市绿地应支持人类与树木之间的互动。通过加强我们与自然的联系，既有可能促进人类福祉，又能强化对环境负责的价值观和行为。
