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Toward a unified understanding of people’s aversion to nature: biophobia

Jensen, Johan Kjellberg LU orcid ; Persson, Anna S. LU and Soga, Masashi (2025) In Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment
Abstract
Human–nature relationships are often framed positively, but research rarely addresses biophobia, the aversion to nature. However, negative relationships with nature are likely to become more widespread following societal and environmental changes, with serious implications for public health and conservation efforts. Here, we performed a systematic review of 196 studies on biophobia, revealing a fragmentation of knowledge across disciplines, including environmental sciences, psychology, and social sciences. To unify this research, we introduce a cohesive framework summarizing the drivers and consequences of, as well as treatments for, biophobia. Based on the current body of evidence, understanding changes in human–nature dynamics will... (More)
Human–nature relationships are often framed positively, but research rarely addresses biophobia, the aversion to nature. However, negative relationships with nature are likely to become more widespread following societal and environmental changes, with serious implications for public health and conservation efforts. Here, we performed a systematic review of 196 studies on biophobia, revealing a fragmentation of knowledge across disciplines, including environmental sciences, psychology, and social sciences. To unify this research, we introduce a cohesive framework summarizing the drivers and consequences of, as well as treatments for, biophobia. Based on the current body of evidence, understanding changes in human–nature dynamics will require enhanced interdisciplinary collaboration, greater attention to cultural and regional differences, and longitudinal studies. In addition, we call for studies of biophobia that extend beyond animal species typically linked to fear or disgust. Broadening the scope of such research will lead to greater appreciation of the full range of human–nature interactions—from affinity to aversion—and ultimately improve conservation strategies. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
epub
subject
in
Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment
article number
e70019
publisher
Ecological Society of America
external identifiers
  • scopus:105023865811
ISSN
1540-9309
DOI
10.1002/fee.70019
project
Biodiversity in Literature – a thermometer for ecological literacy and nature connection
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
ef73e4d3-d684-4783-ad66-b5280ee6f8ff
date added to LUP
2025-12-11 12:47:12
date last changed
2025-12-12 08:50:43
@article{ef73e4d3-d684-4783-ad66-b5280ee6f8ff,
  abstract     = {{Human–nature relationships are often framed positively, but research rarely addresses biophobia, the aversion to nature. However, negative relationships with nature are likely to become more widespread following societal and environmental changes, with serious implications for public health and conservation efforts. Here, we performed a systematic review of 196 studies on biophobia, revealing a fragmentation of knowledge across disciplines, including environmental sciences, psychology, and social sciences. To unify this research, we introduce a cohesive framework summarizing the drivers and consequences of, as well as treatments for, biophobia. Based on the current body of evidence, understanding changes in human–nature dynamics will require enhanced interdisciplinary collaboration, greater attention to cultural and regional differences, and longitudinal studies. In addition, we call for studies of biophobia that extend beyond animal species typically linked to fear or disgust. Broadening the scope of such research will lead to greater appreciation of the full range of human–nature interactions—from affinity to aversion—and ultimately improve conservation strategies.}},
  author       = {{Jensen, Johan Kjellberg and Persson, Anna S. and Soga, Masashi}},
  issn         = {{1540-9309}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{12}},
  publisher    = {{Ecological Society of America}},
  series       = {{Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment}},
  title        = {{Toward a unified understanding of people’s aversion to nature: biophobia}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/fee.70019}},
  doi          = {{10.1002/fee.70019}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}