A systematic review of 301 academic articles on “cultural ecosystem services” has enabled researchers to identify how these nonmaterial contributions from nature are linked to and significantly affect human well-being. They identified 227 unique pathways through which human interaction with nature positively or negatively affects well-being. These were then used to isolate 16 distinct underlying mechanisms, or types of connection, through which people experience these effects. This comprehensive review brings together observations from a fragmented field of research, which could be of great use to policymakers looking to benefit society through the careful use and protection of the intangible benefits of nature.
The many ways nature nurtures human well-being
A huge study* on the topic in the journal Science. The fact that it was in Science means it is a big deal paper.
The PDF version which may not be available to all.
*Yikes, get a load of that graph above. LOL