The implications of digital visual media for human–nature relationships

• Published in: People and nature (Hoboken, N.J.) N.J.), 2021-12, Vol.3 (6), p.1130-1137
• Main Authors: Silk, Matthew, Correia, Ricardo, Veríssimo, Diogo, Verma, Audrey, Crowley, Sarah L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biodiversity; Computer & video games; Computer applications; Documentary films; Media; Monkeys & apes; Motion picture directors & producers; Nature; New technology; Silk; Social networks; Virtual reality; Webcams; Wildlife conservation
• ISSN: 2575-8314; 2575-8314
• DOI: 10.1002/pan3.10284

Even as environmental and conservation scientists have—perhaps belatedly—begun investigating how ‘traditional’ forms of digital visual media (e.g. movies, television) affect the thoughts and actions of their audiences (Fernández-Bellon & Kane, 2020; Fukano et al., 2020; Silk et al., 2018; Veríssimo et al., 2020), emerging technologies such as augmented (Dunn et al., 2021) and virtual reality (Blythe et al., 2021) are enabling both the projection of digital phenomena into actual landscapes and the immersion of users in virtual ones. [...]how does digital visual media both reflect and inform people's relations with the natural world? TABLE 1 Typology of digital visual media formats, with examples of content types and research investigating digital visual media and human–nature relationships Format Examples Relevant research Static image Digital photographs, graphics, memes Arts et al. FROM PRODUCTION TO IMPACT We provide an overview of the processes through which visual media can influence human–nature interactions (Figure 1), following a narrative from the initial production of content, through consumption of and engagement with different forms of digital visual media, to how content can impact human–nature interactions.