Causes, consequences and biomarkers of stress in swine: an update

BACKGROUND: In recent decades there has been a growing concern about animal stress on intensive pig farms due to the undesirable consequences that stress produces in the normal physiology of pigs and its effects on their welfare and general productive performance. This review analyses the most important types of stress (social, environmental, metabolic, immunological and due to human handling), and their biological consequences for pigs. The physio-pathological changes associated with stress are described, as well as the negative effects of stress on pig production. In addition an update of the different biomarkers used for the evaluation of stress is provided. These biomarkers can be classified into four groups according to the physiological system or axis evaluated: sympathetic nervous system, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and immune system. CONCLUSIONS: Stress it is a process with multifactorial causes and produces an organic response that generates negative effects on animal health and production. Ideally, a panel of various biomarkers should be used to assess and evaluate the stress resulting from diverse causes and the different physiological systems involved in the stress response. We hope that this review will increase the understanding of the stress process, contribute to a better control and reduction of potential stressful stimuli in pigs and, finally, encourage future studies and developments to better monitor, detect and manage stress on pig farms

Biodiversity in the Context of ‘Biodiversity – Mental Health’ Research

In this chapter the concept of biodiversity and its measurement and use in ‘biodiversity – mental health’ research is discussed, as well as access to and contact with biodiverse nature. It is pointed out that biodiversity is an ecological concept that originated in the context of nature conservation. It has evolved without consideration of its potential role in mental health promotion. In studying the latter, the concept of biodiversity is frequently adapted. Such adaptations are likely to occur at the expense of its relevance for nature conservation. Using the concept of biodiversity as originally intended may be fruitful for a different type of research question, focusing more on multi-functionality issues: can the same nature constitute a healthy, biodiverse ecosystem and enhance mental health simultaneously? By pointing out this and related issues, this chapter aims to support researchers and students in future research, and help both scientists and policy-makers to position and assess studies in this field

A Community-Driven Nature-Based Design Framework for the Regeneration of Neglected Urban Public Spaces

Nature-based solutions are a popularising concept within current urban regeneration literature, exploring differing themes in the context of optimising public spaces. Focus on the adaptation of public space design, with the community at the forefront, has been documented to a limited degree, with few studies concentrating on possible design strategies. This literature review revealed that the majority of nature-based design frameworks, since 2017, have suggested the benefits of nature in public spaces to human health and well-being: whether physically or psychologically, and either within the full framework or as part of the framework’s scope. There are however variations in the number and clarity of steps needed to follow each framework, and it is evident that the importance of community driven designs is understated within built environment literature. Many frameworks favoured the use of academic studies as a secondary source for their creation, with few using primary analysis of community acceptance and co-creation. This paper explores the literature available on nature-based solutions and their design frameworks. It maps out the existing studies, to date, and reports on the initial findings for this progressing PhD research. Public spaces are, in their very definition, a space for the public; despite this, development of these spaces, as well as the literature around the subject, is far more theoretical and professionally inclined, rather than community influenced. With an emphasis on sustainable development, this paper suggests that community views on nature-based public spaces need to be the focal point of design frameworks for public urban spaces, which may then be used as a protocol for the production of optimal and effective nature-based public space regeneration