Impact of COVID-19 Lock-Downs on Nature Connection in Southern and Eastern Africa
The response of African countries immediately after the COVID-19 pandemic declaration was rapid and appropriate, with low infections and mortality rates until June 2020. Severe lock-down measures were effective in Africa; however, the reduction in the amount of natural experience influences the qual...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-06-01
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| Series: | Land |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/11/6/872 |
| _version_ | 1797485374222630912 |
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| author | Ju-hyoung Lee Madalitso Mkandawire Patrick Niyigena Abonisiwe Xotyeni Edwin Itamba Sylvester Siame |
| author_facet | Ju-hyoung Lee Madalitso Mkandawire Patrick Niyigena Abonisiwe Xotyeni Edwin Itamba Sylvester Siame |
| author_sort | Ju-hyoung Lee |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The response of African countries immediately after the COVID-19 pandemic declaration was rapid and appropriate, with low infections and mortality rates until June 2020. Severe lock-down measures were effective in Africa; however, the reduction in the amount of natural experience influences the quality of life in modern society. This study is conducted as an international comparative study in five African countries on changes in the perception of health recovery and outdoor activities in urban forests during the COVID-19 pandemic. An online survey was conducted with 430 respondents to investigate the relationships between COVID-19 stress, indoor activity, appreciation of greenspaces, perception of health recovery, and use of greenspaces. A structural equation model was used for analysis. The visit frequency and staying time in urban forests after lock-down dramatically decreased, raising concerns about nature-deficit disorder across the target countries after the end of the pandemic. This study confirmed urban dwellers’ desire for natural experiences and health recovery during the pandemic and predicts an explosive increase in urban forest utilization after the pandemic has ended. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T23:18:52Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c104318689da47a7938a3d48536d196f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-445X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T23:18:52Z |
| publishDate | 2022-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Land |
| spelling | doaj.art-c104318689da47a7938a3d48536d196f2023-11-23T17:32:04ZengMDPI AGLand2073-445X2022-06-0111687210.3390/land11060872Impact of COVID-19 Lock-Downs on Nature Connection in Southern and Eastern AfricaJu-hyoung Lee0Madalitso Mkandawire1Patrick Niyigena2Abonisiwe Xotyeni3Edwin Itamba4Sylvester Siame5Department of Forest Resources, Yeungnam University, 280 Daehak-ro, Gyeongsan 38541, KoreaKasungu District Agriculture Office, Kasungu P.O. Box 17, MalawiRwanda Youth in Agribusiness Forum, KG 569 Street, Kigali P.O. Box 7202, RwandaPark Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul (PSPS), Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, KoreaStatistics and Logistic Officer, Sengerema District Council, Mwanza P.O. Box 175, TanzaniaForestry Department, Ministry of Green Economy and Environment, Lusaka P.O. Box 50042, ZambiaThe response of African countries immediately after the COVID-19 pandemic declaration was rapid and appropriate, with low infections and mortality rates until June 2020. Severe lock-down measures were effective in Africa; however, the reduction in the amount of natural experience influences the quality of life in modern society. This study is conducted as an international comparative study in five African countries on changes in the perception of health recovery and outdoor activities in urban forests during the COVID-19 pandemic. An online survey was conducted with 430 respondents to investigate the relationships between COVID-19 stress, indoor activity, appreciation of greenspaces, perception of health recovery, and use of greenspaces. A structural equation model was used for analysis. The visit frequency and staying time in urban forests after lock-down dramatically decreased, raising concerns about nature-deficit disorder across the target countries after the end of the pandemic. This study confirmed urban dwellers’ desire for natural experiences and health recovery during the pandemic and predicts an explosive increase in urban forest utilization after the pandemic has ended.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/11/6/872COVID-19 in Africalock-downurban forestshealth recoveryoutdoor recreation |
| spellingShingle | Ju-hyoung Lee Madalitso Mkandawire Patrick Niyigena Abonisiwe Xotyeni Edwin Itamba Sylvester Siame Impact of COVID-19 Lock-Downs on Nature Connection in Southern and Eastern Africa Land COVID-19 in Africa lock-down urban forests health recovery outdoor recreation |
| title | Impact of COVID-19 Lock-Downs on Nature Connection in Southern and Eastern Africa |
| title_full | Impact of COVID-19 Lock-Downs on Nature Connection in Southern and Eastern Africa |
| title_fullStr | Impact of COVID-19 Lock-Downs on Nature Connection in Southern and Eastern Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | Impact of COVID-19 Lock-Downs on Nature Connection in Southern and Eastern Africa |
| title_short | Impact of COVID-19 Lock-Downs on Nature Connection in Southern and Eastern Africa |
| title_sort | impact of covid 19 lock downs on nature connection in southern and eastern africa |
| topic | COVID-19 in Africa lock-down urban forests health recovery outdoor recreation |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/11/6/872 |
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