The Distribution of Climate Comfort Duration for Forest Therapy Has Temporal and Regional Heterogeneity in Xinjiang
Author:
Zhu Shuxin1, Wang Ruifeng1, Wang Qiya1, Shao Su1, Lin Hai1, Lei Ting1, Wang Qingchun1, Cui Guofa1
Affiliation:
1. School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
Abstract
Climatic comfortability serves as a crucial factor in tourism decision making; however, there remains a gap in evaluating the climate comfort conditions specifically for forest therapy. We developed a new index—Forest Therapy Climate Comfort Index (FTCCI)—to evaluate the climate comfort conditions for forest therapy by integrating the Temperature (T), Temperature and Humidity Index (THI), and Wind Efficiency Index (WEI). A total of 26 potential forest therapy bases were selected from the protected areas in Xinjiang and divided into five clusters: Aksu cluster, Hami cluster, Altai cluster, Ili and its surrounding cluster, and Urumqi and its surrounding cluster. Based on the monthly observation data from 25 surface meteorological stations in Xinjiang, spanning from 1994 to 2023, employing the Co-Kriging interpolation method, we explored the spatial–temporal variation in FTCCI from June to September and made clear the climate comfort duration across 26 bases in Xinjiang. The results indicated that (1) The variation in T, THI, and WEI in 26 bases demonstrated a consistent pattern of temporal variation. July emerged as the optimal month, followed closely by August, with most indices in both months falling within the comfort level. Conversely, September proved to be the least favorable month due to frigid conditions and discomfort for the human body, whereas June’s sensation was slightly more tolerable. (2) The distribution of T, THI, and WEI showed regional heterogeneity. The Urumqi and its surrounding cluster displayed the most favorable conditions for forest therapy, whereas the Aksu cluster showed the poorest performance. (3) There were differences in both FTCCI and climate comfort duration among various clusters in Xinjiang. Overall, excluding Tomur Peak and Nalati (July and August), the remaining 24 bases offered ideal climate comfort conditions for forest therapy from mid to late June through August. Notably, the bases in Urumqi and its surrounding cluster had the longest climate comfort duration, ranging from 3.5 to 4 months. Therefore, reliance on the unique climate, resource, and geographical condition of each base is crucial in creating special forest therapy products that cater to the diverse health needs of tourists.
Funder
the Third Xinjiang Scientific Expedition Program
Reference58 articles.
1. Zeng, C., Lyu, B., Deng, S., Yu, Y., Li, N., Lin, W., Li, D., and Chen, Q. (2020). Benefits of a three-day bamboo forest therapy session on the physiological responses of university students. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 17. 2. Current status of forest medicine research in China;Huang;Biomed. Environ. Sci.,2018 3. Beyond restorative benefits: Evaluating the effect of forest therapy on creativity;Yu;Urban For. Urban Green.,2020 4. Kim, E., Park, S., Kim, S., Choi, Y., Cho, J., Cho, S., Chun, H., and Kim, G. (2021). Can different forest structures lead to different levels of therapeutic effects? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Healthcare, 9. 5. Kang, J., Choi, J., and Lee, K. (2024). Development of an evaluation index for forest therapy environments. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 21.
|
|