A “Living” Machine

Biomimetics (or bionics) is the engineering discipline that constructs artificial systems using biological principles. The ideal final result in biomimetics is to create a living machine. But what are the desirable and non-desirable properties of biomimetic product? Where can natural prototypes be found? How can technical solutions be transferred from nature to technology? Can we use living nature like LEGO bricks for construction our machines? How can biology help us? What is a living machine? In biomimetic practice only some “part” (organ, part of organ, tissue) of the observed whole organism is utilized. A possible template for future super-organism extension for biomimetic methods might be drawn from experiments in holistic ecological agriculture (ecological design, permaculture, ecological engineering, etc.). The necessary translation of these rules to practical action can be achieved with the Russian Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ), specifically adjusted to biology. Thus, permaculture, reinforced by a TRIZ conceptual framework, might provide the basis for Super-Organismic Bionics, which is hypothesized as necessary for effective ecological engineering. This hypothesis is supported by a case study-the design of a sustainable artificial nature reserve for wild pollinators as a living machine.

Laboratory for New Urban Biotopes

The significance of urban green space in the metropolis gains weight if ecological value is linked to daily use in the urban living environment in a proper manner.A different layout of the urban domain is needed for a contribution to climate adaptation and biodiversity increase,and it is relevant to examine how plants can develop more according to the principles of succession of natural vegetation.Creating a 1:1 laboratory in Merwede,the Netherlands,provides a test case for introducing the urban biotope at various locations.Greenery in the city may be different than a natural ecosystem,but it can meet qualities that contribute to biodiversity,improvement of the urban air quality,reduce heat stress,seasonal effects and food production in the city.

Natural and anthropogenic rates of soil erosion

Regions of land that are brought into crop production from native vegetation typically undergo a period of soil erosion instability,and long term erosion rates are greater than for natural lands as long as the land continues being used for crop production.Average rates of soil erosion under natural,non-cropped conditions have been documented to be less than 2 Mg ha^(-1) yr^(-1).On-site rates of erosion of lands under cultivation over large cropland areas,such as in the United States,have been documented to be on the order of6 Mg ha^(-1) yr^(-1)or more.In northeastern China,lands that were brought into production during the last century are thought to have average rates of erosion over this large area of as much as 15 Mg ha^(-1) yr^(-1) or more.Broadly applied soil conservation practices,and in particular conservation tillage and no-till cropping,have been found to be effective in reducing rates of erosion,as was seen in the United States when the average rates of erosion on cropped lands decreased from on the order of 9Mg ha^(-1) yr^(-1) to 6 or 7Mg ha^(-1) yr^(-1) between 1982 and 2002,coincident with the widespread adoption of new conservation tillage and residue management practices.Taking cropped lands out of production and restoring them to perennial plant cover,as was done in areas of the United States under the Conservation Reserve Program,is thought to reduce average erosion rates to approximately 1 Mg ha^(-1) yr^(-1) or less on those lands.