Why did author use to visit forest regularly
Answers
Based on their analysis of empirical studies on forest use, Driver et al. [9] and Ewert [1] organized forest benefits into several categories, including psychological, social, educational, physical, and intrinsic benefits. The taxonomy of wildness benefits, according to Driver et al. [9], takes a broad view, while Ewert [1] focuses more narrowly on the personal benefits of forest adventure recreation. Ewert’s use of the words “potential benefits” is similar to the words of “probable benefits” used by Driver et al. [9]. These two studies are recognized as the first comprehensive up-to-date literature review of this topic and includes reviews of structured and non-structured forest programs. Although these studies present well-classified categories of forest benefits based on a review of earlier investigations, the authors tend not to provide detailed information on each study in their respective review, such as the purpose of the study, the population and location of the study, the methodology and assessment instruments used, an overview of the results, and comments on the weaknesses and strengths of each study.
The conclusions reached by Ewert [1] are essentially the same as those reached by Driver et al. [9], even though they use different terms: (1) tremendous untapped opportunities for benefits are likely to exist; (2) users’ willingness to pay (intention to pay more) for forest preservation attest to the sizable benefits which users believe they derive from the experience. This is not surprising since many of the studies reviewed by these researchers came to the same conclusions. Ewert and Driver et al.’s studies suggest the need for further research aimed at identifying the limitations to the benefits documented to date. These limitations include: (1) the as yet unidentified benefits of forest, and (2) the often experienced impossibility to discern whether the benefits reported or inferred can be uniquely attributable to the forest experience [10].
What beneficial psychological gains occur to an individual during his or her experience of forest, and how might this interaction with forest benefit the shaping of a developing personality? Does an individual’s experience of forest offer an enriched perspective on life? These and similar questions have recently been drawing the attention of many researchers.