Abstract:

Objective: This study aims to analyze the seasonal variations and differences of ecological health factors in typical recreational forests in Beijing Xishan National Forest Park. Using the commonly applied open-field test on mice in medical research, the study explores the differences in the ecological health functions of recreational forests composed of different tree species, and investigates the impact of forest environmental health factors on the health status of mice. This research provides a scientific basis for the selection of health-promoting tree species and plant configurations. Method: Five typical recreational forests, including Platycladus orientalis pure forest, coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forest, broad-leaved mixed forests, Ginkgo biloba pure forest, and Styphnolobium japonicum pure forest, were selected as study objects. Observations and evaluations were conducted in spring, summer, autumn, and winter on environmental health factors such as climate comfort, oxygen content, air ion concentration, and PM_2.5 levels. The open-field test on animals was carried out in summer, when the comprehensive ecological health factors were optimal, to explore the ecological health effects of different recreational forests. Result: 1) Compared to the square (CK), the five types of recreational forests significantly improved human comfort, air ion concentration, oxygen content, however reduced PM_2.5 concentration throughout the year, with the highest ecological health levels observed in summer. Among them, broadleaf mixed forests and coniferous-broadleaf mixed forests showed superior ecological health functions compared to P.orientalis pure forest, G. biloba pure forest and S. japonicum pure forest. 2) The open-field test results indicated that, compared to the indoor control group, mice living in the five recreational forests for 6 days exhibited significantly increased total distance traveled, distance travelled in central area, number of times entering central area, and time spent in central area(P < 0.05). Their body weight showed a highly significant increase (P < 0.01), and the number of fecal grains was significantly reduced (P < 0.05). Among the five forests, broadleaf mixed forests and coniferous-broadleaf mixed forests provided better health effects for the mice than P. orientalis pure forest, G. biloba pure forest and S. japonicum pure forest. 3）Pearson correlation analysis revealed significant positive correlations (P < 0.05) between the spontaneous behavior and physiological indicators of mice and the human comfort, air ion concentration, and oxygen content in the recreational forests, while the correlation with PM_2.5 concentration was not significant. Conclusion: Overall, the seasonal variation patterns of ecological health factors in the typical recreational forests of Beijing Xishan Forest Park show that summer is superior to spring, autumn, and winter, and broadleaf mixed forests and coniferous-broadleaf mixed forests were better than P. orientalis pure forest, G. biloba pure forest and S. japonicum pure forest. The summer open-field test results indicated that mice in the broadleaf mixed forest and coniferous-broadleaf mixed forest showed obvious improvements in exploration, cognitive abilities, and mental state.

Key words: recreational forest, ecological health factors, animal open-field test, health care functions, forest park