As people spend more time communing with their televisions and computers, the impact is not just on their health, researchers say.
Less time spent outdoors means less contact with nature and, eventually, less interest in conservation and parks. Camping, fishing and per capita visits to parks are all declining in a shift away from nature-based recreation, researchers said, Health News reported. "Declining nature participation has crucial implications for current conservation efforts," wrote co-authors Oliver R W Pergams and Patricia A Zaradic.
Researchers said it probable than any major decline in the value placed on natural areas and experiences will greatly reduce the value people place on biodiversity conservation."
By studying visits to national and state park and the issuance of hunting and fishing licenses the researchers documented declines of between 18 percent and 25 percent in various types of outdoor recreation.