Introduction to Permaculture
Permaculture is a philosophy that emphasizes integrated farming and ecological engineering. This approach to integrated living is much like "biomimicry," a closely-related philosophy which upholds nature as the best teacher.
Other People Are Reading
-
Identification
-
Permaculture focuses on mirroring natural ecological systems in human design. It is an ideological movement as well as a technical revolution, featuring principles which affect the way humans grow crops, build homes and interact with the environment as a whole.
History
-
An Australian ecologist, Bill Mollison, and one of his students, David Holmgren, coined the term "permaculture" in 1978.
-
Rainwater Harvesting
-
Rainwater harvesting helps to prevent the erosion of topsoil by absorbing water into the buildings and redirecting runoff to the surrounding landscape. This principle differs from rainwater catchment, where rainwater is collected along rooftops or cisterns for storage.
Animals
-
Permaculture teaches that animals are the most efficient farmers, participating in the natural cycle by fertilizing soil with manure and transporting nutrients.
Design Principles
-
The purpose of permaculture design is to replicate nature and model buildings to coexist with the environment. In permaculture design, each element of the environment is well supported and performs a vital function. Every available natural resource is utilized and not ignored.
Permaculture Farming
-
Permaculture principles can be applied to existing farming enterprises. By creating integrated systems like aquaponics and intercropping, permaculturalists can manage and maintain the integrity of soil and water resources.
-
