Effects of Deciduous Forests on Adolescent Emotional Health in Urban Areas: An Example from the Autumn Ginkgo Forest in Chengdu
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Physical activity, recreation and walks undoubtedly have a positive effect on the mental or physical condition of people. The very contact with nature also plays an important role in the regeneration of the human body. However, it is not entirely clear how the different physical characteristics of the space affect mood improvement, increase of positive feelings or the vitality level, etc.
In the work, an experiment was properly conducted, which allows to determine the influence of various factors on the mental and physical condition of people, and which is difficult to measure in any other way. This method is often used to estimate the impact of the environment on human health.
The results and conclusions obtained in the work on the basis of the conducted experiment and statistical studies are a good basis for developing research on determining optimal conditions for recreation in urban spaces. However, according to the reviewer, the authors did not avoid several mistakes in the work, i.e.:
L. 214. Systolic not diastolic blood pressure
L. 214/2015. Diastolic not systolic blood pressure
L. 255. There is only in the table „* < 0,05”
L. 258. Figure 6 not 5.
L. 273. No explanation „S”
1. No explanation of the electrode in table 2 and figure 5 - "O1, O2, AF3…." What gives us the information that, for example, O2 or P8 showed significant difference? It is a forest magazine, not a medical one, and not everyone have to know that.
2. Chapter 4.3 and Conclusions - for general correction and rethinking - too many suggestions about the influence of seasons, different colors or plants on humans, it has not been studied.
I suggest focusing more on the differences between sitting (Group S) and walking (Group W).
3. Referring to volunteers as teenagers or adolescents is not too good. Their average age is 23.4 years (L. 139). They are rather “young adults” or “academic youth”.
However, it is a pity that the authors did not examine the impact of other urban spaces on humans and did not make a comparison, e.g. sitting on a bench in front of a block of flats and observing a glass building (sitting - Group S) or going to a modern shopping centre (walking - Group W), which would significantly improve the scientific quality of the article. Perhaps just leaving the house, and even more so a walk anywhere, will have a significant impact on the study parameters. Sometimes even more depending on the characteristics of the person. Therefore, the statement that it was nature that influenced the volunteers is an abuse (only the participants' journey to the place of the experiment had to be of great importance).
The authors themselves noticed too few people participating in the experiment to generalize the results, which of course requires further research in this area.
Author Response
We would like to thank you for careful and thorough reading of this manuscript and for the thoughtful comments and constructive suggestions, which help to improve the quality of this manuscript.
Here is a point-by-point response to your comments and concerns. All page and line numbers refer to the revised manuscript file.
Point 1: L. 214. Systolic not diastolic blood pressure
Response 1:
Thank you for pointing this out. After checking the article, we found that the original text in the paper corresponds to Table 1.
Revision as follow:
(Line-215-216) As shown, no significant changes in systolic blood pressure were observed in Group S .
Point 2: L. 214/215. Diastolic not systolic blood pressure
Response 2:
As you suggested. After checking the article, we found that the original text in the paper corresponds to Table 1.
Revision as follow:
(Line-216-217) The diastolic blood pressure decreased significantly (78.02 ± 11.99 pre and 72.27 ± 10.06 post, p<0.01) by 5.76.
Point 3: L. 255. There is only in the table „* < 0,05”
Response 3:
Thank you for your advice. We have removed any significant comments that did not appear in the comments in Table 1.
Revision as follow:
(Line-259) 1* p < 0.05.
Point 4: L. 258. Figure 6 not 5.
Response 4:
Thank you for pointing this out. We have made modifications to the corresponding incorrect image names.
Revision as follow:
(Line-276-277) Figure 6. Emotional states in Group S and Group W (T-A: T scores for tension-anxiety; D: depression; A-H: anger-hostility; V: vigor; F: fatigue; C: confusion; S, self-esteem).
Point5：L. 273. No explanation „S”
Response 5:
Thank you for pointing out. We supplemented the "S" emotion calculation values for the seven emotions explained in Figure 6.
Revision as follow:
(Line-277-279) Figure 6. Emotional states in Group S and Group W (T-A: T scores for tension-anxiety; D: depression; A-H: anger-hostility; V: vigor; F: fatigue; C: confusion; S, self-esteem).
Point6：No explanation of the electrode in table 2 and figure 5 - "O1, O2, AF3…." What gives us the information that, for example, O2 or P8 showed significant difference? It is a forest magazine, not a medical one, and not everyone have to know that.
Response 6:
Thank you for pointing out. We provided a description of the channels provided by the instrument at section 2.2.1 to help understand the EEG channels analyzed in table 2 and figure 5.
Revision as follow:
(Line-165-168) Fourteen channels (AF4, AF3, F3, F4, F7, F8, FC5, FC6, T7, T8, P7, P8, O1, and O2) are recorded. The data are analyzed using affective, the EEG equipment’s software suite, which assigns and defines six emotion parameter labels; each individual’s data can be standardized on a scale of 0 to 1[44].
Point7：Chapter 4.3 and Conclusions - for general correction and rethinking - too many suggestions about the influence of seasons, different colors or plants on humans, it has not been studied.
I suggest focusing more on the differences between sitting (Group S) and walking (Group W).
Response 7:
Thank you for pointing out. We have made modifications to section 4.3 and the conclusion section. Section 4.3 has conducted supplementary analysis on the experimental groups of two behavioral patterns and proposed landscape strategy suggestions. At the same time, both sections have weakened the explanation of seasonality and plant color,and focusing more on the differences between sitting (Group S) and walking (Group W).
Revision as follow:
(Line-383-419) 4.3Suggestions on urban landscape forest planning based on different emotional feedback
The reduction in interaction time between humans and the natural environment has led to the need for effective green space guidance to improve emotions [62]. The research results first further emphasize the impact of sitting and walking activities in seasonal landscape forests on the emotional health of adolescents. Our study showed that sitting in an autumn deciduous forest can achieve better recovery, stress, and re-laxation effects, manifesting as a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure and heart rate. Sitting in silence is more conducive than walking to generating "interest" emotions among adolescents. Understanding the promoting effect of spatial capacity building on human health [63]. We can use landscape strategies to activate these con-ditions. First, the transformation of a space to provide environmental conditions and the reasonable use of different plant color combinations in landscape forests guide the generation of sitting, viewing, and staying behaviors, thereby achieving the goal of re-laxation and interest activation. Studies have shown that golden plants trigger a warm and bright feeling in space [38], while red plants trigger high arousal [64]. These spa-tial landscape color combinations are used to increase landscape appeal and extend stay time.
The charm of forests lies in the unpredictability of the experiences they provide [65], especially the different landscape elements present during seasonal changes. These visual stimuli may induce users to engage in spontaneous activities, such as walking or sitting, and participants in the forest pay more attention to unique or interesting ele-ments in the space [66]. In urban landscape forest planning, combinations of wild ele-ments, such as berries, butterflies, are birds, are added. The creation of fish habitats enhances enjoyment of the area, and these naturally changing elements can also evoke a sense of wildness and friendliness [67], maximizing the benefits of biodiversity in the natural environment [68]. Second, abundant sitting facilities can be provided, includ-ing creating a quiet plant space and an appropriate number of recreational facilities, such as pavilions and chairs, to provide teenagers with a better interactive experience when observing the surrounding environment. According to the positive psychological and emotional feedback obtained from individuals engaging in the two behaviors in the autumn landscape forest environment in this study, the walking and viewing group showed a significant decrease in negative emotions and an increase in "vigor”. We advocate the construction of trails in landscaped forests to maximize the compre-hensive health benefits; additionally, the function of the trails should be improved to support multiple active travel purposes, such as walking and cycling [69], to stimulate positive emotions, such as user vitality. Simultaneously, the planning strategy of in-creasing entry and contact makes it easier for individuals to use the trail and connect with other green space areas and promotes the right to the fair use of nature.
(Line-456-466) We suggest urban environmental planning managers should use landscape strategies that activate corresponding behavioral conditions, paying attention to the guidance related to different behavioral patterns in the formed environment to achieve green spaces with better emotional impact. Considering the results of combining natural el-ements and different characteristics, recreational facilities and trails should be added to encourage natural viewing, participation, and interaction in scenic urban forests. Although the relationship between more diverse emotional needs and behavioral pat-terns in urban landscape forests remains to be explored, this study provides a research reference for urban green space planners, namely, guidance related to behavioral pat-terns in green spaces, including the need for a focus on seasonal changes.
Point8：Referring to volunteers as teenagers or adolescents is not too good. Their average age is 23.4 years (L. 139). They are rather “young adults” or “academic youth”.
Response 8:
Thank you for pointing out. We have made revisions to the volunteer explanations in the paper.
Revision as follow:
(Line-140-143)Since there is no specific sample size stipulated for EEG experiments, we referred to the minimum sample size requirement [15] and recruited 80 young adults (40 males and 40 females, average age (23.42±1.03), from schools through campus posters and online advertising.
Point9： it is a pity that the authors did not examine the impact of other urban spaces on humans and did not make a comparison, e.g. sitting on a bench in front of a block of flats and observing a glass building (sitting - Group S) or going to a modern shopping centre (walking - Group W), which would significantly improve the scientific quality of the article. Perhaps just leaving the house, and even more so a walk anywhere, will have a significant impact on the study parameters. Sometimes even more depending on the characteristics of the person. Therefore, the statement that it was nature that influenced the volunteers is an abuse (only the participants' journey to the place of the experiment had to be of great importance).
Response 9:
Thank you for pointing out. We have supplemented the limitations of the control experiment in the fifth section and hope to continue improving it in the future experiments.
Revision as follow:
(Line-431-441) In addition, we focused on only two behaviors in our sample of teenagers: sitting and walking. However, the findings cannot be generalised due to the small sample size. Moreover, the cross-sectional approach provides limited time observation feedback, and data were only collected from individuals in autumn landscape forests. In the fu-ture, in addition to expanding the sample size, it is necessary to consider cross-longitudinal experiments with multiseason comparisons, population age diver-sity, and behavioral variables to promote research on outdoor spatial health activities. Finally, numerous studies have demonstrated the difference between typical urban spaces (such as commercial and square spaces) and green spaces in promoting health. This experiment only involves different behavioral pattern controls, and it is necessary to include urban environmental control samples for a more comprehensive empirical study.
Point10：The authors themselves noticed too few people participating in the experiment to generalize the results, which of course requires further research in this area.
Response 10:
Thank you for pointing out. We have supplemented the limitations of the research volume in the fifth section and hope to improve it in the next experiment.
Revision as follow:
(Line-431-441) In addition, we focused on only two behaviors in our sample of teenagers: sitting and walking. However, the findings cannot be generalised due to the small sample size. Moreover, the cross-sectional approach provides limited time observation feedback, and data were only collected from individuals in autumn landscape forests. In the fu-ture, in addition to expanding the sample size, it is necessary to consider cross-longitudinal experiments with multiseason comparisons, population age diver-sity, and behavioral variables to promote research on outdoor spatial health activities. Finally, numerous studies have demonstrated the difference between typical urban spaces (such as commercial and square spaces) and green spaces in promoting health. This experiment only involves different behavioral pattern controls, and it is necessary to include urban environmental control samples for a more comprehensive empirical study.
Author Response File: 
Author Response.docx
Reviewer 2 Report
The introduction is well written, it is an introduction to the topic and describes the scientific problem. The only remark concerns at least the mention of achievements already research made about the hard, empirical factors of the forest environment that may be responsible for its impact on the mental and physical health of people. Paragraphs 61-63, it should be added that such empirical studies of the forest environment in terms of its impact on the health of forest visitors are conducted, where the qualitative and quantitative chemical composition of the air of various types of forest is determined, with the structure of terpenes probably responsible for the positive effect of the forest on health. (See: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192315838).
The aim of the research was clearly formulated, as was the scope of the research.
The whole experiment was well planned, and its detailed description gives an accurate picture of the conditions in which the research was carried out. The methodology was well matched to the assumed purpose of the research. It is described in detail and allows you to repeat the experiment.
The results are well presented in clear figures and tables. The description of the test results is sufficient.
The discussion has been divided into logically separated subsections. The whole discussion is well written, the most important problems related to the conducted research have been raised. The obtained results were referred to literature data. One can only expand the aspect of the impact of the landscape on the emotions of forest visitors discussed in the discussion in the context of shaping attractive forest landscapes. Specify which features of the forest have the greatest impact on the quality of the landscape.
The authors are very aware of the limitations of their research and, in response to them, plan to continue the research taking into account additional factors.
The summary highlights the most important research results.
It is a pity that the authors did not perform a control sample in an urban environment, also 2 of the same groups. Then it would be possible to unequivocally determine what influence the ginko forest had on the examined parameters, and not the behavior of people and their personal characteristics. In the future, it is worth conducting research on a control study area.
In conclusion, I believe that the obtained results are interesting and have a practical dimension in addition to the scientific dimension. When supplemented with features of the forest that affect the formation of the forest landscape, they can provide recommendations for managers of green areas in cities regarding their development so that the impact of these areas on the health of visiting young adult residents is as good as possible. I believe that the manuscript submitted for review provides new and valuable information that may be of interest to international opinion.
Author Response
We would like to thank you for careful and thorough reading of this manuscript and for the thoughtful comments and constructive suggestions, which help to improve the quality of this manuscript.
Here is a point-by-point response to your comments and concerns. All page and line numbers refer to the revised manuscript file.
Point1：Paragraphs 61-63, it should be added that such empirical studies of the forest environment in terms of its impact on the health of forest visitors are conducted, where the qualitative and quantitative chemical composition of the air of various types of forest is determined, with the structure of terpenes probably responsible for the positive effect of the forest on health. （https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192315838）
Response 1:
Thank you for your advice. In the introduction of the first part of the article, we added a study on the impact of forest environment on the health of forest tourists.
Revision as follow:
(Line-59-63) In addition, in terms of exploring the impact of the forest environment on health, pre-vious studies have confirmed that terpene structures in forest environments may be the reasons for positive health effects [23] and further explored self-reported and sim-ple physiological measurements of meditation behavior patterns.
Point2：It is a pity that the authors did not perform a control sample in an urban environment, also 2 of the same groups. Then it would be possible to unequivocally determine what influence the ginko forest had on the examined parameters, and not the behavior of people and their personal characteristics. In the future, it is worth conducting research on a control study area.
Response 2:
Thank you for pointing out. We have supplemented the limitations of the control experiment in the fifth section and hope to continue improving it in the future experiments.
Revision as follow:
(Line-431-441) In addition, we focused on only two behaviors in our sample of teenagers: sitting and walking. However, the findings cannot be generalised due to the small sample size. Moreover, the cross-sectional approach provides limited time observation feedback, and data were only collected from individuals in autumn landscape forests. In the fu-ture, in addition to expanding the sample size, it is necessary to consider cross-longitudinal experiments with multiseason comparisons, population age diver-sity, and behavioral variables to promote research on outdoor spatial health activities. Finally, numerous studies have demonstrated the difference between typical urban spaces (such as commercial and square spaces) and green spaces in promoting health. This experiment only involves different behavioral pattern controls, and it is necessary to include urban environmental control samples for a more comprehensive empirical study.
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
