Sustainable Use of Lands

a large bison stands surrounded by grass lands during daylight

Biological Strategy

Animals

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Image: Jack Dykinga / Pixabay / Free non-commercial use

Adapt Behaviors

The environment is constantly changing, and if living systems can’t adapt to these changes, they don’t survive. Environmental changes can be cyclic such as seasons, sudden such as floods or forest fires, or gradual but long-term, such as ecosystems shifting from early to mature stages. These changes require some flexibility in behavioral responses to match the specific conditions. For example, as a fish called the lamprey swims, it constantly faces changes in currents. Skin sensors help it detect those changes and adjust its motion accordingly.

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Coordinate by Self-Organization

To create and maintain a healthy community of individuals and ecosystems requires that living systems coordinate their activities. Coordination doesn’t necessarily mean that there’s a leader orchestrating what happens. In nature, coordination is usually achieved through self-organization. In a flock of geese flying in a V-formation, for example, there’s no lead goose controlling where all of the others fly. The flock uses this formation because each goose gains energy from air vortices created by the goose in front of it. The lead goose doesn’t gain that benefit, so when it tires, it moves back and another goose takes the front position.

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Biological Control of Populations, Pests, Diseases

An ecosystem must prevent overpopulation of any given species within it, as well as the spread of pests and diseases, to allow organisms to survive without threatening extermination of other organisms or ecosystems. To control pests and diseases, living systems use such strategies as developing antibodies and killing or repelling pests or disease-causing organisms. Ecosystems have checks and balances to maintain populations, pests, and diseases. For example, in a lake, a balance of predators, prey, and nutrients is crucial for proper functioning of the ecosystem. Predatory fish keep down the numbers of smaller prey fish, which in turn keep populations of algae-eating zooplankton in check. When the levels of any of these organisms change, the change can disrupt the health of the entire ecosystem.

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Animals

Kingdom Animalia (“having breath or soul”): Mammals, reptiles, sponges, corals, insects, birds

This kingdom captures a staggering variety of life—from the smallest coral polyp to the largest elephant. Although animal body shapes and life histories vary, there are a few defining characteristics. Animals are heterotrophs, meaning they gain energy from eating other organisms, and have developed from single-celled ancestors to highly diversified and coordinated multicellular forms. Unlike plant and fungi cells that have rigid cell walls, animal cells are bound by more flexible combinations of proteins. Most animals have cells organized into tissues and are able to move within their environment.

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Grazing animals sync their foraging cycles to match plant growth cycles.

Image: Alan Wilson /

Plains Bison, Gros Vendre Road, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

Image: Alan Wilson /

Plains Bison (Male) , Mormon Row, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

“Dave Pratt, the president of Ranch Management Consultants, believes that U.S. ranchers can boost profits and sustainability in one fell swoop–by taking direction from nature. Pratt suggests using cattle as ‘four-legged combines,’ allowing them to harvest their own feed. Livestock could additionally be used to control weeds and naturally fertilize the soil. Pratt recommends choosing animals that fit the environment, and matching reproductive cycles to forage cycles. He advises ranchers to fence livestock away from riparian or sensitive areas, and use timed-grazing to avoid overgrazing. He points out that improved health of range resources means improved health of livestock–hence increased profit and sustainability.” (Courtesy of the Biomimicry Guild)

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