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Furry bracts serve as insulation: lobelia
The bracts of Lobelia telekii protect its flowers from wind and cold via long, hair-like shape.
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| Maintain physical integrity > | |
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| Extreme temperature | |
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Mechanisms help thermoregulation: bumblebees
The body of bumblebees maintains a regular temperature via counter-current heat exchange and a heat-shunting mechanism.
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| Homeostasis | |
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Complex structures focus reflected light: lobster
The eye of a lobster focuses reflected light onto the retina using a perfect geometric configuration of square tubes.
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Down feathers insulate: king eider
The down feathers of eider ducks provide insulation due to lack of barbules and ability to fluff.
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Feather structure insulates: Canada goose
Down feathers of geese insulate through special architecture.
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Cone scales are humidity-sensitive: pine
The scales of pine cones flex passively in response to changes in moisture levels via a two-layered structure.
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Leaves capture water: bromeliads
The leaves of some bromeliads capture water and nutrients in a storage tank via hydrophobic leaf surfaces and hydrophilic hairs.
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| Capture, absorb, or filter > | |
| Liquids | |
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Organic composite is exceptionally robust: jumbo squid
The beaks of jumbo squid have exceptional hardness and stiffness in part thanks to high cross-linking density between its chitin and protein contents.
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Crystals draw sunlight into plant: window plants
The pillar-like leaves of window plants enhance photosynthesis by filtering sunlight down a series of translucent crystals of oxalic acid.
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| Capture, absorb, or filter > | |
| Energy | |
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Dense covering protects from cold: snow lotus
Flowers of snow lotus plants protect from the cold via thick, furry insulation.
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Energy boost from vortices: bull trout
Bodies of fish decrease energy required for locomotion by using vortices.
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| In/on liquids | |
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Pigments cells respond to hormones: African clawed frog
Pigments in frog skin change color in response to hormones by moving melanin grains around cells.
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Shape shades and enhances heat radiation: cactus
Cacti stay cool by having ribs that provide shade and enhance heat radiation.
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Wing scales aid thermoregulation: green birdwing butterfly
The wing scales of a green birdwing butterfly help regulate body heat by using a honeycomb structure to enhance black pigments found in the wings.
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| Homeostasis | |
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Carotid rete cools brain: Thomson's gazelle
The carotid rete of the Thomson's gazelle cools its brain via counter-current heat exchange.
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Lingual rete precools blood: gray whale
Lingual retes of gray whales precool blood in the tongue to avoid heat loss via counter-current heat exchange.
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Mound passively heats/cools: compass termite
Mounds of compass termites provide heating and cooling at appropriate times of day thanks to orientation with respect to the sun.
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| Extreme temperature | |
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Nasal turbinates reduce water loss: northern elephant seal
The nasal turbinates of the northern elephant seal reduce water loss via countercurrent heat exchange.
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| Protect from abiotic factors > | |
| Loss of liquids | |
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Multiple organisms interact: soil ecosystem
The soil ecosystem supports plant growth through interactions of millions of organisms that work together to break down chemicals and aerate the soil.
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| Break down > | |
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| Biotic materials | |
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Ecosystem manages poor soils: tropical rain forest
Tropical rain forests make the best of poor soils and leaching rainfall by having a species-rich aboveground community that captures water and nutrients before they can be lost.
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| Maintain community > | |
| Provide ecosystem services > | |
| Cycle nutrients | |
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Here are 20 of Nature's strategies that can give us ideas for retrofitting our homes, buildings, and communities to contribute to a more sustainable world.
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Rainforest habitat






