BiomimicryThis lecture heavily borrows from the book “Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired

by Nature” by Janine M. Benyus

See also the new book “The Gecko’s Foot. Bio-inspiration: Engineered

from Nature” by R. McNeill Alexander

Velcro was directly inspired by barbed seed plants.

http://www.landinstitute.org/

Claim to be 25-50 years away from success.

QualityQuantityProduction (body mass and offspring)

Long, complexShort, simpleLife cycles

Emphasis on feedback control (K-selection

Emphasis on rapid growth (r-selection)

Growth strategy (how to multiply)

LargeSmallBody sizeHighLowSpecies divrsityWeblikeLinearFood chain

Mature stages (Type III)

Developing stages (Type I)

Ecosystem attributes

Mature stages (Type III)

Developing stages (Type I)

Ecosystem attributes

HighLowPattern diversity (such as plant-herbivore “arms races”

GoodPoorNutrient conservation (closed-loop cycling

DevelopedUndevelopedInternal symbiosis (cooperative relationships)

Mature stages (Type III)

Developing stages (Type I)

Ecosystem attributes

SlowFastNutrient exchange rate between organisms and environment

ClosedOpenMineral cycles

NarrowBroadNiche specialization (jobs in the ecosystem)

Mature stages (Type III)

Developing stages (Type I)

Ecosystem attributes

LargeSmallTotal organic matter (nutrients tied up in biomass)

IntrabioticExtrabioticInorganic nutrients (minerals)

ImportantUnimportantRole of detritus in nutrients

Mature stages (Type III)

Developing stages (Type I)

Ecosystem attributes

HighLowInformation (feedback loops)

LowHighEntropy (energy lost)

GoodPoorStability (resistance to external perturbation)