The perception of the forest in forestry students: a survey at the University of Florence

The growing interest in the positive effects of forest on individual and social sphere cultural development local realities has motivated this survey to investigate preferences recreational activities carried out forest. study was aimed understand effect psychological conditions its users, evaluate value attributed ecosystem services by users themselves. focused perception students degree courses Forestry Environmental Sciences University Florence. population constituted 283 students, 219 enrolled three-year course 64 master’s course; 36% population, 102 answered a questionnaire specially created for study. main frequentation free leisure defined well-being through sensation “serenity”, as one most perceived, sensations “energy”, “euphoria”, “quiet”, “relief” “lucidity”. A high forest, such “local climate regulation” “air quality regulation”, demonstrating weight background university studies. is proposed pilot analysis useful numerous professionals connected it.