The health benefits of living with a view of green space are worth up to £300 per person per year, according to a major new report examining the value of the UK's natural environment.

New approaches have been used in the UK National Ecosystem Assessment (UK NEA) to investigate the economic, health and social benefits from trees, parks and waterways. It is believed that the natural environment is worth billions of pounds to the economy, and it is anticipated that the report's findings will be used by the government to shape policy.

Population growth and climate change have been identified as threats to UK ecosystems and urges a "collaborative approach" to ensure the environment is enhanced and protected. The study has been funded by the government; the devolved parliaments; the Economic and Social Research Council; and the Natural Environmental Research Council.

Professor Bob Watson, UK NEA co-chair and chief scientist at Defra, said: "There is an urgent need to better manage our ecosystems and the natural resources they provide us with. "The NEA shows that we need a more integrated approach to ecosystem management, involving Government, the private sector, voluntary groups and the public working together to protect the services nature provides."