This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from OUP via the DOI in this record.Experiences of nature provide many mental health benefits, particularly for people
living in urban areas. The natural characteristics of city residents’ neighborhoods are
likely to be critical determinants of the daily nature dose that they receive, however
which characteristics are important remains unclear. One possibility is that the
greatest benefits are provided by characteristics that are most visible during the day
and so most likely to be experienced by people. We demonstrate that of five
neighborhood nature characteristics tested, vegetation cover and afternoon bird
abundances were positively associated with a lower prevalence of depression, anxiety
and stress. Further, dose-response modelling shows a threshold response where the
population prevalence of mental health issues is significantly lower beyond minimum
limits of neighborhood vegetation cover (depression >20% cover, anxiety >30%
cover, stress >20% cover). Our findings demonstrate quantifiable associations of
mental health with the characteristics of nearby nature that people actually experience
