Complexity and Diversity, Adaptability and Balance.
Resilience in nature refers to the ability of an ecosystem to bounce back from disturbances or changes, such as usual and extreme natural events, gradual changes, or human activities. It describes the capacity of an ecosystem to maintain its structure, function and productivity even in the face of these challenges, as resilient ecosystems are able to adapt to new conditions and continue to provide essential services, such as clean water, air and food to sustain human life and all living systems on Earth.
Complexity and Diversity
Complexity and diversity are essential features of natural systems that help to build resilience by increasing redundancy, feedback loops, resistance to disturbances and providing ecosystem services that allow them to respond, adapt and thrive in changing environments.
From rainforests to coral reefs, the interconnected elements work together to maintain balance to disturbances, such as fires, floods, storms changes in temperature or chemistry, as multiple species and habitats create buffering effects, reducing the impact on the system and ensuring long-term health, as well as supporting the well-being of human communities that depend on these systems.
Biodiversity refers to the variety of species that make up an ecosystem and is a key aspect of resilient complex systems. High levels of biodiversity are better able to resist and recover from disturbances, such as extreme natural events, as different species within the ecosystem have different roles and functions and can support each other in times of stress.
Example : Coral Reefs
Coral reefs are incredibly diverse ecosystems that support a wide range of plant and animal species, providing resilience to environmental stressors like climate change, pollution and overfishing. If one species of coral is particularly sensitive to changes in temperature or water quality, other species may be more adapted to those conditions and continue to provide habitat for other organisms. Similarly, a diverse range of fish and other marine organisms help to maintain coral reef health by performing important functions, such as nutrient cycling and pest control, that enable the reefs to withstand and recover from damage such as coral bleaching or outbreaks of disease.
Redundancy
Redundancy is an important component of resilience in natural systems, providing backup against failure or disruption. It provides insurance against stochastic population fluctuations or species loss, resulting in stability in community structure or ecosystem function. Stability can be realised as either resistance to change or resilience in recovering from disturbance.
Examples :
Pollination
Plants, vegetables, shrubs and fruit trees rely on multiple species of pollinators for the production of flowers and fruit.
Nitrogen Fixing
Many plants like Alfalfa, Clovers, Legumes and perennial shrubby trees like Pigeon Peas are the best nitrogen-fixing plants and rely on multiple nitrogen-fixing bacteria to supply essential nutrients for plant growth. Tree species, like Black Locust, Mimosa, Alder, Redbud, Autumn Olive, Acacia and Mesquite are examples of trees that support nitrogen in soil with the help of bacteria. These nitrogen fixers pull the element out of the atmosphere and build a storehouse of the gas through their nodule root formation.
Water Supply
In areas where water is scarce, having multiple sources of water help ensure that ecosystems continue to function even during droughts or other water shortages. Some desert ecosystems rely on surface and groundwater to maintain their water supply. Groundwater can be found almost everywhere and is stored in underground aquifers of rock or sediments that hold water, protected from evaporation and contamination. The water table may be deep or shallow depending on the physical characteristics of the region, the meteorological conditions and the recharge and exploitation rates.
Even in the driest places on the planet, two other backup major water sources are dew and fog, which form more frequently than rain events and are critical to keeping the environment alive and functioning. Dew and fog help plants to accelerate their metabolism and increase plant biomass and play an essential role in regulating the inner water of plants and help them activate rapid photosynthesis.
Seed Dispersal
Many plant species rely on multiple birds and animals, wind or water to disperse their seeds, ensuring reproduction.
Predator-prey Relationships
In ecosystems where predator-prey relationships are important, having multiple species that act as predators or prey can help ensure that the ecosystem remains stable even if one species declines or disappears.
Resistance to Disturbance
Resistance to disturbance is an important component of resilience in natural systems as it allows ecosystems to withstand and recover without undergoing significant changes or shifts in their structure or function.
Example : Fire
Some ecosystems, such as certain types of forests or grasslands, have adapted to frequent fires as a natural disturbance that shape their structure and ecological function. These ecosystems are characterised by the presence of fire-resistant or fire-adapted species of trees or shrubs, that are able to survive and recover from fire.
Some species of trees, such as pines or eucalyptus, have thick bark or other adaptations that allow them to survive fire, while grasses or wildflowers are able to quickly regrow and recolonise burned areas.
Feedback Loops
Feedback loops are important components of resilience, as they allow healthy ecosystems, plants and soil microbes to respond and adapt to changes in their environment that help to maintain soil health and nutrient cycling.
As plants grow and photosynthesise, they release organic compounds and sugars into the soil through their roots, which fuel the growth and activity of soil microbes and in turn help to break down organic matter, release nutrients and improve soil structure. As soil health improves, plants are better able to access nutrients and other resources, which allow them to grow more vigorously and produce more organic matter and in turn, fuel the growth and activity of soil microbes, creating positive feedback loops that help to maintain soil health and nutrient cycling. The widespread use of chemical fertilisers, toxic pesticides and herbicides and excessive tillage, disrupt this feedback loop with catastrophic consequences for soil and plant health, leading to widespread ecosystem collapse, desertification and chronic diseases in animals and humans.
Ecosystem Services
Ecosystem services are the benefits that humans derive from natural systems, such as forests, wetlands, or coral reefs. These services include clean water, air quality regulation, soil health and biodiversity conservation.
Example : Wetlands
Wetlands are ecosystems characterised by the presence of permanent or seasonal water and serve a number of important services, like flood control, by slowing down and absorbing flood waters before they reach downstream areas. Wetlands also act as natural water filters, removing pollutants and excess nutrients from water, before it enters streams and rivers.
Wetlands provide habitat for a wide range of plant and animal species, including migratory birds and fish. This biodiversity helps to maintain ecosystem function and resilience, allowing wetlands to adapt and respond to changes in their environment.
Adaptability and Balance
Adaptability is a critical component of resilience in natural systems, as it allows the maintenance of function and health in the face of changing environmental conditions, such as climate change, disease, or human disturbance. Multiple species and habitats increase the likelihood that some will be able to adapt and thrive under changing conditions, ensuring the health, function and survival of the system over time. Balanced ecosystems have functional diversity and are in equilibrium and harmony with their environment.
Ways in which adaptability and balance help natural systems to build resilience include :
Genetic Diversity
Genetic diversity provides the raw material for natural selection to act on, allowing species to evolve and adapt over time and are better able to adapt to changing environmental conditions, such as temperature, precipitation and soil quality.
Example : Wild Rice
Wild rice is a species of grass that grows in wetland ecosystems and is an important food source for many animal species and
indigenous communities. Wild rice populations exhibit high levels of genetic diversity, which allow them to adapt and respond to changes in their environment. Wild rice populations in areas with high water levels may have different genetic traits than those in areas with low water levels, allowing them to adapt to their specific growing conditions. Similarly, wild rice populations in areas with high levels of competition from other plant species may have different genetic traits than those in areas with less competition, allowing them to better compete for resources. This genetic diversity allow wild rice populations to maintain balance and resilience in their ecosystems, by allowing them to adapt to a wide range of environmental conditions and stresses, allowing for the maintenance of biodiversity, as different populations of wild rice provide different benefits to other plant and animal species in their ecosystem.
Migration
Balanced ecosystems often have species that migrate seasonally, or to new areas in response to changing environmental conditions, like temperature or precipitation, allowing them to find suitable habitats with more favorable conditions or resources to raise offspring and play an important role in succession.
Example 1 : Seasonal migration of Caribou
Caribou are large herbivores that live in the tundra and boreal forests of North America. During the winter months, they migrate to areas with less snow cover, more favourable conditions and better access to food, such as forests or areas with milder temperatures
to avoid the harsh winter conditions and reduce their exposure to predators or other threats. In the summer they migrate back to their tundra breeding grounds, where they are better adapted to the cooler temperatures and shorter growing seasons.
Example 2 : Seasonal Migration of Wildebeest
Wildebeest are large herbivores that live in the grasslands and savannas of Africa. Each year, approximately 1.5 million wildebeest migrate between the Serengeti ecosystem in Tanzania and the Maasai Mara ecosystem in Kenya. During this migration, the wildebeest travel an estimated 3000 km in search of food and water.
This migration is an important example of adaptability and balance in natural systems because it allows wildebeest to access resources that are only available during certain times of the year. During the dry season, they migrate to areas with more water and better grazing and during the wet season, they migrate to areas with more nutritious grasses.
This migration benefits other species in their ecosystem, as predators like lions and hyenas rely on the wildebeest for food. The grazing behavior of the wildebeest helps to maintain the balance and health of grassland ecosystems, vegetation and promotes the growth of diverse plant species.
The wildebeest migration also has important cultural and economic significance for local communities in the region, as it attracts tourists and generates income for local businesses and conservation efforts.
Phenotypic Plasticity
Phenotypic plasticity refers to the ability of an organism to adjust its phenotype or physical characteristics in response to changes in its environment. This can include changes in behavior, morphology, or physiology. It is an important adaptation strategy that allows organisms to survive and thrive in different environmental conditions.
Examples :
Chameleons and cockraches are well-known examples, but flamingoes are extraordinary.
Avian
Flamingoes are graceful, tough extremophiles, which are organisms adapted to living in conditions where it appears impossible for life to be sustained. They are a keystone wetland species enabling other animals to live in the same habitat as they do; their actions, movements and behaviour help mould and shape features of an ecosystem, creating areas for other species to thrive in.
All flamingo species have evolved to be highly resilient and thrive in some of the most extreme wetlands, like toxic caustic 'soda lakes', hypersaline lagoons or high-altitude salt flats. The most toxic lakes in Africa are a paradise for flamingos and most are found in super-alkaline lakes throughout Africa’s Great Rift Valley, which hosts immense blooms of poisonous microscopic blue-green algae, on which the flamingos feed and is responsible for their pink plumage. Some flamingo species, like the lesser flamingo, parade around in the searing heat, in the East-African soda lakes, where the water alkalinity is so high (pH10<) that it will severely burn human skin and where the lakes are fed by 100 deg C volcanic hot springs and the normal water temperature is around 40-60 deg C.
Flamingoes are well-known for their unique physical characteristics, such as their long necks and pink feathers, features which vary depending on the environment they live in. The amount of carotenoid pigments in the food they eat can affect the intensity of their pink coloration.
Other Avian Examples
Some other birds, like the finch can alter beak size and shape, based on the type of food available in the environment. When feeding on hard seeds, the beak may become thicker and stronger to crack open the seeds and when feeding on soft fruits, its beak may become smaller and more pointed to help it grasp the fruit.
The plumage coloration of birds like bluetits and finches, are influenced by environmental factors like diet, temperature and exposure to light. The brightness of their feathers is not determined by the pigments in the feathers, but by the way light is scattered by the microscopic structures within the feathers. When exposed to UV light, these structures reflect more light, making the feathers appear brighter, which plays a role in attracting mates, or signaling health and status to potential rivals.
Plants
A plant growing in a shaded area may have longer and thinner leaves in order to maximise light capture, while a plant in a sunny area may have shorter and thicker leaves to conserve water. Leaves and stems of many desert plants have a thick, waxy covering, keeping the plants cooler and reducing evaporative loss, while large leaves allow tropical plants to capture more sunlight energy and together with a ready supply of water are able to convert this energy readily into rapid growth.
Animals
Some animals, like the Arctic fox, change the color of their fur in response to seasonal changes in their environment. In the winter, their fur may be white to blend in with the snow, while in the summer, it may be brown to blend in with the rocks and soil.
Fish
Fish living in low-oxygen environments can develop larger gills to improve their oxygen uptake.
Humans
Human populations living at high elevations can have larger lung capacities to compensate for the lower oxygen concentration in the air.
Symbiotic Relationships
Symbiotic relationships are cooperative interactions between two or more different species that are found in natural systems and contribute to the resilience of ecosystems by promoting biodiversity and providing services that contribute to the stability of the system.
Examples :
Beneficial Relationships between Plants and Pollinators
Plants provide pollinators with nectar and pollen, while pollinators transfer pollen between plants, allowing for reproduction. This mutualily beneficial relationship ensures the survival of both species and contributes to the resilience of ecosystems.
Mycorrhizal Relationships between Plants and Fungi
Fungi provide plants with nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen in exchange for carbohydrates produced by the plant through photosynthesis. This relationship helps plants to grow more efficiently and contributes to the resilience of ecosystems.
Symbiotic Relationships between Bacteria and Animals
Some insects, such as termites, rely on bacteria in their digestive systems to break down cellulose in plant material into usable nutrients. This relationship allows them to access a food source that would otherwise be unavailable, making the ecosystem more resilient to changes in food availability.
Succession
Succession in natural systems refers to the process by which ecosystems evolve and change over time. It's a key concept in ecology and plays an important role in maintaining the resilience of natural systems, by allowing ecosystems to adapt to changing environmental conditions. As plant and animal communities shift over time, new species are able to colonise and thrive under different conditions, helping to maintain a healthy ecosystem.
Succession helps to restore ecosystems that have been damaged by human activities, such as agriculture, clear-cutting or mining. By allowing natural succession to occur, ecosystems can recover and regain their resilience over time. It is a crucial process in natural systems that helps to promote resilience and adaptability.
Example 1: Natural Succession
Animal migrations play a significant role in natural succession and in areas where grassland ecosystems and forest ecosystems meet, it is not uncommon for forests to gradually encroach upon grasslands over time, with new species establishing themselves in a particular area.
Animal migrations contribute to this process by bringing seeds from forested areas into grasslands, where they may establish and eventually form forests. For example, migratory birds disperse the seeds of trees and other plants as they travel from forested areas to grasslands and back. Similarly, large herbivores, such as bison, elk and deer, or large migratory herds of eland and gazelles, help to create disturbance in grassland ecosystems, by pitting the soil with their hooves, creating protective pockets for seeds to germinate and take hold and which then create opportunities for forest species to establish themselves.
Over time, as more trees and woody shrubs establish themselves in a grassland ecosystem, they can create shade and change the soil conditions, making it more favorable for forest species to grow. This gradual process can ultimately lead to the conversion of a grassland ecosystem into a forested ecosystem, that will start attracting large animals and eventually, at the climax stage, elephants and giraffes will carry out the necessary pruning and thinning out of the forest and eventually, over enough time, the forest may revert back to grassland.
Example 2 : Designed Succession - Permaculture Food Forests
Succession is an important process in the establishment of Permaculture food forests, where different plant species are planted at different stages of development of the system. Fruit trees may be planted early on, followed by shade-tolerant understory plants as the canopy develops.
Pioneer Plant Species
In a newly established food forest, pioneer plant species, such as nitrogen-fixing legumes or fast-growing annuals, may be planted to help establish the soil and create a favorable environment for other plants to grow.
Seven Layered Guilds
Sun-loving fruit and nut trees are planted next and over time will grow and form canopy layers, creating shelter for smaller shade-tolerant understory trees and shrubs, then herbaceous layers are added, followed by vertical climbing and horizontal creeping layers and root layers, allowing a diverse range of trees and plants to grow in different light conditions and niches.
Self-seeding
As plants mature and produce seeds, they self-seed and establish new individuals, creating a natural process of succession.
Nutrient Cycling and Energy Flow
Nutrient cycling and energy flow are important components of resilience in natural systems, as they allow ecosystems to maintain their ecological function and adapt to changes in their environment. Decomposers and detritivores play an important role in nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems.
Example : Decomposing Tree
When a tree dies and falls to the forest floor, decomposers and detrivores like fungi and bacteria begin to break down the organic matter in the tree, releasing nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus back into the soil. These nutrients can then be taken up by other plants, allowing the forest ecosystem to maintain its ecological function and adapt to changes in nutrient availability.
Diverse Habitat Creation
Diverse habitat creation is an important component of building resilience in natural systems, as it allows for a wider range of species to thrive in the ecosystem.
Example: Wetlands
Wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems on Earth, providing habitat for a wide range of plant and animal species, as well as important ecosystem services, such as water filtration, flood control and carbon sequestration. Wetlands are heavily impacted by human activities, such as drainage and development, which have resulted in significant loss of wetland habitat.
Through the restoration of wetlands, diverse habitats can be created which will provide a range of benefits to different species. For example, creating shallow water areas within wetlands provides habitat for aquatic plants and animals, while creating upland areas provides a habitat for terrestrial plants and animals. Restoring wetlands can also help to maintain biodiversity by providing habitat for a wide range of plant and animal species, including migratory birds and fish. This biodiversity helps to maintain ecosystem function and resilience, allowing wetlands to adapt and respond to changes in their environment.
A wide range of wetland species depend on the habitats created by beavers, another keystone species. They create complex wetlands, leaky dams, ponds, canals, swampy bogs and streams to reduce flooding and expand the riparian corridor and coppice trees like willow to regenerate young shoots, bringing light to more shaded areas, creating habitats for invertebrates and fish. They graze grasses and bankside vegetation and create water storage, trap pollutants, reduce flooding and ameliorate the impacts of droughts.
Resilience to Disturbance
Example 1 : Earthquakes
Earthquakes are a type of disturbance that can have significant impacts on natural systems and soil composition plays an important role in the way that earthquakes affect natural systems. Certain types of soil, such as sandy or gravelly soils, are more susceptible to liquefaction during an earthquake, which can cause significant damage to buildings, infrastructure and ecosystems, while clay-rich soils provide greater stability during an earthquake.
In some coastal areas, mangrove forests grow in clay-rich soils that are more resilient to earthquakes. Mangrove trees have deep root systems that help to stabilise the soil, reducing the risk of soil liquefaction during an earthquake. This stability can help to protect coastal communities from earthquake damage, as well as maintain the health and resilience of the mangrove ecosystem.
Climate Change Adaptation
Climate change is a major threat to natural systems, but many ecosystems are already adapting to changing climatic conditions in order to maintain their ecological functions and promote resilience.
Example 1 : Coral Reefs
One example of climate change adaptation is seen in the response of coral reefs to warming ocean temperatures. Coral reefs are highly productive and biodiverse marine ecosystems that are threatened by a range of stressors, including warming ocean temperatures. Some species of coral are able to change their composition and structure in response to changing water temperatures, in order to better tolerate warmer conditions. This can include changes in the types of symbiotic algae that they host, or changes in the protein structure of their skeletons. Other adaptation mechanisms include the ability to recover from coral bleaching events, by regrowing their symbiotic algae or recruiting new corals to the reef.
Example 2 : Boreal Forests
Boreal forests are characterised by long, cold winters and short, cool summers. With increasing global temperatures, boreal forests are experiencing changes in temperature and precipitation patterns, which impact their ecological functions and resilience.
One adaptation mechanism is the ability of certain tree species to shift their range towards more favorable conditions, as temperatures warm, while other boreal tree species are becoming less dominant. Other boreal forests are experiencing changes in their fire regimes, with longer fire seasons and an increased frequency of large-scale wildfires. However, some tree species, such as spruce and pine, have adaptations that allow them to survive and even benefit from wildfires, by regrowing quickly and creating a more diverse forest structure.
Carbon Sink
Carbon sinks are natural systems that absorb and store carbon from the atmosphere.
Example 1 : Oceans
Oceans absorb more than a quarter of the carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere, making it a critical component of the global carbon cycle. One of the ways oceans sequester carbon is through the process of photosynthesis, which occurs in microscopic plants called phytoplankton. These tiny plants absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and convert it into organic matter through photosynthesis. This organic matter then sinks into the deep ocean with ocean currants, where it can be stored for hundreds or even thousands of years. The absorption of carbon dioxide by the ocean can lead to ocean acidification, which may have negative impacts on marine ecosystems.
Example 2 : Wetlands
In addition to being among the most productive ecosystems on Earth, wetlands and are also highly effective carbon sinks. Wetland soils are typically rich in organic matter, which is produced by the decomposition of plant material that has fallen into the water. This organic matter is then stored in the soil, where it can remain for thousands of years.
In addition to storing carbon in their soils, wetlands also play an important role in removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through photosynthesis. Wetland plants, such as cattails and reeds, absorb carbon dioxide through their leaves and store it in their biomass. When these plants die and fall into the water, the carbon they have stored is then incorporated into the soil, further adding to the carbon sink function of wetlands.
Wetlands are also resilient to changes in their environment and are able to adapt to a wide range of conditions, including changes in water levels and nutrient availability.
Example 3 : Bamboo Forests
Bamboo is a fast-growing plant that has a high rate of carbon sequestration, making it another effective carbon sink, able to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it in their biomass, soil, and roots. Bamboo forests are resilient to changes in their environment and are able to adapt to a wide range of conditions, including changes in temperature, precipitation and soil conditions. Bamboo has a high regenerative capacity and can quickly recover from disturbances such as harvesting, fire, or drought. The rhizomes of bamboo plants spread rapidly and extensively, creating a dense network of underground roots that can reach depths of up to 2 meters. This network of roots helps to stabilise the soil, preventing erosion and preserving the carbon stored in the soil.
Example 4 : Deserts
Deserts are not typically considered as carbon sinks due to their low productivity and lack of vegetation cover. However, the Namib Desert has a unique fog ecosystem, where moisture from the Atlantic Ocean is transported inland by fog and provides water for a variety of desert-adapted plants and animals. These plants are able to store carbon in their biomass and in the soil, contributing to the sequestration of carbon in the ecosystem.
Another example of a desert ecosystem that acts as a carbon sink is the Australian Outback, home to large areas of spinifex grass, which is a highly productive plant able to store carbon in its biomass and in the soil. The roots of spinifex grass can reach depths of up to 2 meters, allowing it to access water and nutrients that are not available to other plants. The carbon sequestration potential of spinifex grass has been recognised as an opportunity for carbon farming and climate change mitigation.
Design Approaches
There are several design approaches that can be used to build resilient natural systems, depending on the specific context and goals of the project.
Here are a few types of design that are effective for building natural resilience:
Ecological Design
Ecological design involves designing natural systems that mimic the structure, function and diversity of natural ecosystems. This approach emphasises the importance of biodiversity, nutrient cycling and energy flow in creating healthy and resilient natural systems. Ecological design principles can be applied to a range of projects, from urban green spaces to large-scale restoration projects.
Permaculture Design
Permaculture design is a holistic approach to designing human systems that are in harmony with nature. This approach emphasises the use of regenerative practices, such as composting, water harvesting and agroforestry, to create productive and resilient landscapes. Permaculture design principles can be applied to a range of projects, from small-scale gardens to large-scale agroecological systems.
Natural Systems Engineering
Natural systems engineering is a field that involves using natural processes and materials to create solutions for infrastructure challenges. This approach is based on the idea that natural systems are inherently resilient and sustainable and that by working with nature rather than against it, we can create long-lasting and effective solutions.
Natural systems engineering principles can be applied to a range of projects, from green roofs to stormwater management systems and beyond.
Green Roofs
The use of green roofs, involve planting vegetation on the roofs of buildings to provide numerous benefits, including reducing stormwater runoff, improving air quality and reducing the urban heat island effect.
Stormwater Management
Another example is stormwater management systems, which use natural processes like wetlands and rain gardens to capture, store and treat stormwater runoff. By working with natural systems in this way, we can create more effective and sustainable solutions that are better for the environment and for people.
Swales & Dams
Swales and dams are excellent examples of natural systems engineering for rainwater management, extensively used in Permaculture Design, especially in dry lands. Swales are shallow, vegetated channels on contour, that are designed to catch, slow down, redirect and infiltrate rainwater runoff into the ground. By doing so, swales reduce the volume of stormwater that enters the sewer system, reducing the risk of flooding and improving water quality and aquifer levels.
Dams, on the other hand, are structures built across a river or stream to create a reservoir that can store water during times of high flow. This stored water can then be released gradually during times of low flow, providing a reliable source of water for agriculture, drinking water and other uses.
Swales and dams are natural systems engineering solutions that work with the natural water cycle to provide long-term benefits. They help to reduce erosion, increase groundwater recharge and improve water quality, while providing a reliable source of water for a variety of uses.
While swales can be planted with vegetation like grasses and wildflowers, they are not specifically designed for tree planting. However, incorporating trees into a swale system can provide additional benefits, such as increased carbon sequestration, improved air quality and enhanced biodiversity to create a more effective and sustainable solution for rainwater management.
Trees
Tree planting systems include techniques like agroforestry, silvopasture and alley cropping, which integrate trees into agricultural landscapes to provide a range of benefits like improved soil health, enhanced biodiversity and increased carbon sequestration.
Design Process
Designing resilient natural systems involves taking into account the principles of balance, diversity and adaptability.
Here are some key steps to consider when designing resilient natural systems :
Identify the Goals
The first step in designing a resilient natural system is to identify the goals of the system. These could include providing ecosystem services, supporting biodiversity, or promoting recreational opportunities. Identifying the goals of the system will help guide the design process.
Assess the Site
The next step is to assess the site where the natural system will be located. This includes evaluating the soils, topography, hydrology and existing vegetation. Understanding the site conditions will help inform the design of the system.
Design for diversity
Design the natural system to include a diversity of habitats and species, which will help increase the resilience of the system by providing redundancy and ensuring that the system can adapt to changing environmental conditions.
Plan for Succession
Building opportunities for natural succession to occur, such as disturbance regimes or planting a mix of species that are adapted to different environmental conditions.
Plan for Adaptation
Incorporating flexible opportunities for the natural system to adapt to changing environmental conditions over time, to adjust to changing environmental conditions, or incorporating a monitoring and evaluation plan to assess the performance of the system and identify areas that need to be adjusted.
Manage for Balance
Manage the natural system to maintain the balance between different components, such as nutrient cycling, energy flow and species diversity by practices such as sustainable harvesting, invasive species removal and habitat restoration.
Incorporate Sustainable Practices
Incorporate sustainable practices into the design like renewable energy sources, reducing waste and minimising the use of harmful chemicals. This will help ensure the long-term health and resilience of the system.
Involve Stakeholders
Involve stakeholders in the design and management of the natural system, including local communities, conservation organisations, and government agencies. This will help ensure that the system is designed and managed in a way that meets the needs and values of all stakeholders.
Summary
Designing resilient natural systems involves incorporating principles of complexity, diversity, adaptability and balance, as well as sustainable practices and stakeholder involvement. By following these steps, natural systems can be designed to be resilient to changing environmental conditions.
Conclusion
Natural, Human and Technological Resilience is crucial for leading productive, happy and fulfilling lives in the 21st century. It requires an open mindset and a willingness to embark on diligent lifelong study. Resilience is interlinked to life and product choices, the Impact of our actions, sustainability, agriculture, health and nutrition and the built environment, all topics that are touched upon in the other Articles here on my site.
Resources
RHS Resilient Garden: Sustainable Gardening for a Changing Climate