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Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

2018

Ecosystem services

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A Human-Environment Systems Approach To Outdoor Recreation, Human Biological Stress, And Landscape Aesthetics, Ellie Dawn Opdahl Aug 2018

A Human-Environment Systems Approach To Outdoor Recreation, Human Biological Stress, And Landscape Aesthetics, Ellie Dawn Opdahl

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Outdoor recreation, as the intersection between physical exercise and nature, provides a multitude of psychological and physiological benefits to human well-being. Though many studies have reported qualitative stress reduction from outdoor recreation, few have focused on quantitative measurements of stress across recreational activity types, intrapersonal differences, and environmental variables. To determine whether outdoor recreation affects physiology, we collected 190 paired salivary cortisol and testosterone samples and 157 surveys from 88 hikers, 81 mountain bikers, and 44 off-highway vehicle (OHV) motorists. After recreation, cortisol concentrations were significantly reduced in hikers and OHV motorists, but cortisol and testosterone concentrations increased in mountain …


Perceptions Of Ecosystem Services In Rapidly Urbanizing Areas: A Case Study In Treasure Valley, Jenna Elena Narducci Aug 2018

Perceptions Of Ecosystem Services In Rapidly Urbanizing Areas: A Case Study In Treasure Valley, Jenna Elena Narducci

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Urbanization poses complex challenges for balancing sustainable environmental management with human well-being. Many areas of the western US are experiencing rapid urbanization as people move to the region for a high quality of life. However, urbanization has major impacts on ecosystem services (ES), and therefore human well-being, making it important for decision-makers to understand the consequences and trade-offs that occur with urbanization. Given recent urbanization, the Boise Metropolitan Area, Idaho is a useful case study to explore a) differences in demand for ES between socio-demographic groups, b) perceptions of urbanization impacts to ES supply, and c) how those ES may …