Designers, engineers and architects have an obligation to look at all the processes that go into creating the various elements that comprise the human habitat, eliminating practices that will degrade the environment, both globally and locally. The off site disposal of waste products should be rethought so that it can become a nutrient streams for other processes to feed off. Researching ways to interconnect waste streams to production will create a more sustainable society by eliminating pollution. In our current paradigm most agriculture takes place in an ecologically isolated environment. Toxic chemicals are applied to eliminate anything but the target crops. The crops become addicted to the lack of competition and biodiversity. The farms become so massive that only large machines can cope with the quantity produced. To pay for this equipment the farmer ends up taking out loans, the repayment of which is dependent on the coming harvest and subsequent prices of the crop for that year. The government subsidizes the price so that the farmer can stay out of debt.

Biointensive integrated pest management (IPM) is a viable alternative to spraying massive amounts of pesticides. It involves using biological controls by providing shelter and food for predatory and parasitic communities of organisms, while cultivating a detrimental environment for the pest species. Maintaining a rich diversity of native plants that are not sprayed encourages a natural ecosystem to evolve.

In IPM, pesticides would only be applied when absolutely necessary to reestablish an equilibrium amongst the predator species. By using short-lived or very specific targeted pesticides in outbreak situations, it is possible to minimize the effects of the pests on a crop.

In a forest, all the needs of the growing ecosystem are provided by the various species that inhabit that ecosystem. A sustainable farm is able to continue harvesting produce while also growing better soil each year. A sustainable habitat that is created and designed by human intelligence should seek to mimic nature by recycling nutrient streams without diminishing the quality of the environment. We are a part of the ecosystems in which we live.

Our intelligence allows us to change our environment to suit our needs. We grow food, heat our homes, and can breed new organisms. The habitats in which we live should provide for our needs with minimal input. People need growing plants around them to be happy, and thus for us to live in a sustainable habitat plants must be an integral part of our environment.

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Last update: May 01, 2009
03:30 pm

Published in : Eco Blogs, Eco Culture

Keywords : biodiversity, agriculture, Biointensive, IPM, diversity, permaculture, sustainable habitat, sustainable, habitat,

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