BIOMIMICRY

An ecosystem is a community of organisms such as microbes, plants, insects, birds and animals that interact with one another. These organisms depend on one another to reproduce, survive, and thrive. For example, a beaver builds a dam across a river, and plants grow on the riverbank on either side of the dam. The dam protects plants from strong winds and floods. The plants also protect the beaver from predators.

Furthermore, the beaver helps the plants as it builds a lodge on the bank where it stores food. The lodge provides shelter for some birds which feed on insects. In some cases, the plants attract insects that feed on nectar. In turn, the insects attract birds that feed on the insects. All these plants and animals provide a home to a number of insects which feed on the plants and on one another. These insects excrete waste which collects at the base of the plants and helps to fertilize the plants. The dead trees are used as food by insects, birds and other animals. In more complex ecosystems, there are also larger animals which feed on both plants and insects. In return, these larger animals help to distribute the seeds of the plants far and wide.

The beaver is considered a keystone species, whose presence allows for information and resource exchange that creates abundance for the entire ecosystem. It has the power to change the landscape, creating large ponds that are full of life; they contain fish, frogs, insects, and birds. By ensuring conditions for the survival of keystone species, benefits cascade to the ecosystem and keep it balanced. The beaver keeps water flowing, aerating the water and making the ecosystem suitable for other organisms. The plants, insects and birds help in maintaining the balance of nature by spreading their seeds and acting as natural pesticides. A thriving ecosystem is a perfect example of abundance. Insects are preyed on by birds. The cycle goes on. As trees are cut, other trees are left to grow. This acts as a food source for other animals. This is how the ecosystem works.

In nature everything is compliant with “Green Business” approaches. In fact, the concept of waste is a human construct as in nature you are either someone’s food or resource.

What humans consider a waste by-product, in nature is still a valuable raw material for the organism in the food or value chain. Humans can also relook at their current waste products and investigate how they can be valorised.

Furthermore, in nature the same resource typically can be used for multiple purposes. For example, spiders are able to vary the properties of the silks they produce depending on the variety of tasks for which it is to be used. What if we imagined multiple uses of the same product or resource?

Kelp, commonly known as seaweed, is a large, leafy marine algae that grows underwater. It often grows in dense beds along the coast in shallow water and can grow up to one metre a day under ideal conditions. Kelp can be sustainably harvested and used for multiple purposes. It is a sea vegetable that is highly nutritious and full of minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants. Explainer videos on different use cases can be made and downloaded from the local intranet.