Permaculture
Permaculture which is also known edible agriculture, is a sustainable design system, that is human oriented. However it seeks to create a boundary zone between human development and natural systems. It does this by creating human altered systems that seeks to create synergy between human technology and the natural environment. Sustainability is a word that has come of age only as the result of our sudden realization that we now have the power as a modern civilization to affect natural systems in a disruptive way. As we have modernized, we have been removed of the important reality of nature in our lives. Our ecological footprint has increased, while our respect for the natural systems of the planet has if anything decreased.
Highly adaptable approaches that demonstrate multi-use and adaptation as prime examples of why permaculture is an important aspect of any sustainable designed human habitat. As humans have aggressively increased their footprint on the land many areas have been damaged by removal of vegetation and soil quality has been reduced. The way we design our landscapes can help to restore vitality increasing regeneration rates (Earth User's Guide to Permaculture Wed, 19 Mar 1997 from <!-- body="start" -->Earth User's Guide to Permculture Rosemary Morrow Kangaroo Press 1993).
small scale intensive land use cultivation
return to natural, varied landscapes close to your house
diversity: of plant species, of animal species, of niches
inclusion of indigenous, foreign, rare, and endangered
sustainability: including planning for fire, drought, flood
use of natural traits of the land: self regulating and repairing
Topography affects how much sun and wind is affecting a particular plant, animal, pond, or building.
Vegetation and structures can be planned to enhance microclimates.
A central philosophy revolves around the use of water. Use it as many times as possible before it passes out of your land. Water catchment minimizes the amount of water running off land, increasing ground water storage and reducing erosion. In dry areas the best strategy is to store the water under the ground or in tanks. Design biological systems to filter water such as living machines and integrated biomass systems. Swales (contour following ditches, mulch filled, trees on down hill bank) help to keep rain water on the land and prevents high and fast waters that gouge into the ground after heavy rains. Water will still flow downstream and so small dams may be approriate to hold water as a complement to swales. A basic processor for greywater has multiple stages starting with shells of filter feeders, then gravel, sand, bullrushes, waterlilies, water hyacynths, and concluding with live filter feeders.
Permaculture Zones:
zone 0 housing
zone 1 garden
zone 2 food forest
zone 3 farming
zone 4 managed woods
zone 5 natural woods or other ecosystems.