Nature can suffer, too: behavioral evidence of empathy with ecosystems and its link to pro-environmental attitudes

2026-06-29 11:01:14

Brunet Olivia, Carlier Axel, Cauchoix Maxime, Cochet Hélène, Fonteneau Elisabeth, Guendon Romain, Roussel Sébastien, Syssau Arielle, Barragan-Jason Gladys
PeerJ 14
2026

Background. As global environmental challenges intensify, understanding the psychological factors that foster pro-environmental actions is essential. This study examines whether empathy, traditionally studied in the context of human and animal relationships, can be extended to natural ecosystems, and how this broader empathy relates to pro-environmental attitudes. Methods. We analyzed self-reported empathic responses to distressing images of humans, animals, urban ecosystems, and natural ecosystems, from 122 participants. Participants also completed measures of trait empathy and pro-environmental attitudes. Results. Our findings show that empathy with humans is moderately to strongly correlated with empathy with animals and ecosystems, supporting the extension of empathic processes beyond human targets. Moreover, empathy with animals and natural ecosystems is significantly positively associated with pro-environmental attitudes Discussion. Overall, our findings provide behavioral evidence that empathy can extend to ecosystems and that empathy toward other-than-human beings may contribute to pro-environmental attitudes. We discuss implications for environmental psychology, as well as methodological considerations for future research and educational interventions.

Projecting future damage costs of non‐native species using combined dynamical and cost–density equations

2026-07-13 11:08:54

Ahmed Danish A, Bradshaw Corey J A, Tahat Noor, Hudgins Emma J, Courtois Pierre, Hulme Philip E, Watari Yuya, Tarkan Ali Serhan, Soto Ismael, Haubrock Phillip J, Balzani Paride, Cuthbert Ross N
Ecological Applications 36
2026

Biological invasions threaten biodiversity, economic stability, and public health, exacerbated by intensive global trade and transport. The economic costs of these invasions have exceeded US$2 trillion globally and continue to increase. Although past invasion costs have been described across various contexts, there are few robust projections of future costs, limiting effective management planning. We developed a mathematical framework to project future economic damage caused by biological invasions, combining cost-density relationships with a density-time function based on logistic population growth. We tested the model on five well-documented non-native mammal species in Japan, a country with long-term, high-resolution invasion cost records and a

Center for Environmental Economics - Montpellier - Monthly Publications feed

Nature can suffer, too: behavioral evidence of empathy with ecosystems and its link to pro-environmental attitudes

Projecting future damage costs of non‐native species using combined dynamical and cost–density equations