Animals as a pathway to connection to nature: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract The psychological impact of connection to nature on pro-environmental behavior and individual well-being is a crucial factor in environmental psychology. While animals are often perceived as central elements of nature, the role of animal encounters in fostering connection to nature has not yet been systematically analyzed. This study investigates the empirical relationship between animals and connection to nature. Following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, we searched four academic databases (ProQuest, Web of Science, ERIC, and PubMed) for empirical, peer-reviewed studies published between 2000 and 2024. A total of 116 studies met the inclusion criteria for the systematic review. These were analyzed for temporal trends, geographic origin, taxonomic focus, and sample size. Of these, 15 studies (yielding 23 independent samples) were eligible for meta-analysis. Most reviewed studies were conducted in North America, Europe, and Australia. Mammals and birds were the most frequently studied taxa, while amphibians, reptiles, and fish were underrepresented. Most studies had sample sizes below 1000 participants. The meta-analysis indicated a modest yet statistically significant positive effect of animal encounters on connection to nature (d = 0.18, 95% CI [0.10, 0.26]). The presence of publication bias was found to be negligible, and the heterogeneity among studies was low. These findings suggest that encounters with animals can contribute to the strengthening of connection to nature. Future research should investigate underrepresented animal groups and disentangle the specific contribution of animal interactions within interventions. • 116 studies on animals and humans' connection to nature were analyzed. • Mammals and birds are overrepresented; reptiles and fish are underrepresented. • A Meta-analysis based on 23 independent samples from 16 studies was conducted. • Animal contact has a small but significant positive effect ( d = 0.179). • Findings support using animal contact in conservation engagement efforts.