PERMACULTURE DESIGN COURSE –
THE FUNCTIONS OF ANIMALS IN THE SYSTEM
* Are the mobile elements or the forest
* As pollinators, many are specialised for species (bees, wasps, butterflies, moths, flies
* Are seed distributors (ducks: algae and sedges emu: hard seeds; cattle: seeds of sugary pods: dogs and foxes: Loquat, grape, lychee, jays, oaks)
* Are nutrient sources, e.g. bat, poultry, bird guano
* Are soil aerators. e.g. worms, dung beetles
* Are regulators: Or forests (weedier species in evolution of forests)
* Of other animals (perdition to. regulate population)
PRACTICAL ESTABLISHMENT PROBLEMS
(Losses in establishment often greatest cost to client. Design to minimise)
* Water (critical factor) needs first priority
* Wind shelter may be critical in the case of citrus, avocado, etc.
* Nutrients, e.g. phosphates for young pinesi leguminous trees recommended
* Soils, better to rehabilitate ate and lose a year than to persist in poor soils
* Species choice, especially in grassland competition e.g. tagasaste, pines, oaks more successful than cultivated fruits
* Protection needed from browsers (thorn, fence, stone, electric barriers)
16. Permaculture – The Function of Animals in Organic Gardens
See our Guides for Keeping:
Alpacas ° Bees ° Chickens ° Cows ° Fish ° Goats ° Guinea Pigs & Rabbits ° Worms
° Attracting Butterflies, Birds & Beneficial Insects to Your Garden
° How to Build a Beneficial Bug Hotel for Your Backyard
° Beekeeping Supplies: A Guide to the Essentials
Next Section – Aquaculture and Mariculture
The Functions of Animals on Farms
Mobile Elements of the Ecosystem
Animals are integral to the mobility and dynamism of farm ecosystems. Their movements facilitate various ecological processes, making them crucial mobile elements within this environment.
For example, livestock such as sheep and cattle roam pastures, aiding in the natural trimming of grass and helping to maintain the balance between different plant species. Their grazing patterns prevent any one species from dominating, thus promoting biodiversity.
Additionally, their trampling action helps to break up the soil surface, which can enhance seed germination and soil health.
Pollinators: Specialists for Plant Species
Pollination is a critical function performed by many farm animals, particularly insects like bees, wasps, butterflies, moths, and flies.
These pollinators are often highly specialized, each playing a vital role in the reproductive processes of various plants.
Bees, for instance, are known for their effectiveness in pollinating crops such as fruits, vegetables, and nuts, leading to better yields and quality.
Butterflies and moths also contribute to pollination, often visiting flowers that bloom at different times, ensuring a continuous cycle of plant reproduction throughout the growing season.
Seed Distributors: Nature’s Planters
Animals are natural seed distributors, spreading seeds across vast areas and thus aiding in plant propagation. Different animals specialize in different types of seeds.
Ducks, for example, distribute the seeds of algae and sedges, contributing to the spread of these aquatic plants.
Emus are known for their ability to disperse hard seeds, which can pass through their digestive systems unharmed and ready to germinate.
Cattle help spread seeds of sugary pods, while animals like dogs and foxes can distribute seeds of fruits like loquat, grape, and lychee.
Birds such as jays play a crucial role in dispersing oak seeds, ensuring the growth of new trees.
Nutrient Sources: Enhancing Soil Fertility
The waste produced by farm animals is an invaluable nutrient source for the soil.
Bat, poultry, and bird guano are rich in essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which are critical for plant growth. These natural fertilizers improve soil structure, increase its water-holding capacity, and enhance microbial activity.
By returning these nutrients to the soil, animals help maintain the fertility and productivity of the land.
Soil Aerators: Improving Soil Health
Soil aeration is another important function performed by farm animals. Worms and dung beetles are exemplary soil aerators.
Worms burrow through the soil, creating channels that allow air and water to penetrate deeper into the ground, promoting root growth and enhancing soil fertility.
Dung beetles break down animal waste, incorporating organic matter into the soil and further improving its structure and nutrient content. These activities are vital for maintaining a healthy and productive soil ecosystem.
Regulators of Plant Growth
Animals also act as regulators within farm ecosystems, particularly in the evolution and maintenance of forests and grasslands. Some species, through their feeding habits, can control the growth of weedy plants, preventing them from overtaking desirable vegetation.
For example, goats are often used to manage invasive plant species, as they feed on a wide variety of vegetation, including many weeds.
This natural regulation helps maintain a balanced ecosystem, where no single species becomes overly dominant.
Population Control: Predation and Balance
Predatory animals play a crucial role in regulating the populations of other animals, ensuring ecological balance.
On farms, animals like dogs can help control populations of pests such as rats and rabbits, which can otherwise cause significant damage to crops.
Birds of prey, such as owls and hawks, also contribute to this regulatory function by preying on rodents and other small animals. This predation helps maintain a healthy balance within the farm ecosystem, preventing any one species from becoming too numerous and disruptive.
Animals on farms perform a multitude of functions that are essential for maintaining ecological balance and promoting agricultural productivity.
From pollination and seed dispersal to soil aeration and nutrient cycling, these animals are indispensable allies in sustainable farming practices. By understanding and leveraging these natural processes, farmers can create more resilient and productive agricultural systems.
Practical Establishment Problems for Farm Animals
Establishing a successful farm that integrates animals into its ecosystem can present numerous practical challenges. These issues can lead to significant losses and high costs for the client if not properly addressed. Effective design and management strategies are essential to minimize these problems and ensure a thriving farm environment.
This essay discusses critical factors such as water, wind shelter, nutrients, soil rehabilitation, species choice, and protection from browsers in the context of farm animal management.
Water: The Critical Factor
Water is the most crucial factor in the establishment and maintenance of a farm. Ensuring adequate water supply should be the top priority when integrating animals into a farming system.
Animals require a consistent and clean water source for drinking, and plants need sufficient water for growth. Inadequate water can lead to dehydration in animals, reduced crop yields, and poor overall farm health.
Implementing efficient irrigation systems, creating water reservoirs, and ensuring the availability of water during dry periods are essential steps to address this critical need.
Wind Shelter: Protecting Vulnerable Crops
Wind can cause significant damage to both animals and crops on a farm. For certain crops like citrus and avocado, providing wind shelter is crucial. Strong winds can lead to physical damage, increased evaporation rates, and stress on plants, which in turn affects their productivity.
Establishing windbreaks using trees or shrubs, constructing wind barriers, and positioning buildings strategically can help mitigate the impact of strong winds.
These measures create a more stable environment for both crops and animals, reducing stress and improving overall farm resilience.
Nutrients: Ensuring Soil Fertility
Nutrient management is vital for the growth and health of both plants and animals on a farm.
Providing essential nutrients, such as phosphates, is particularly important for young plants, including pines and leguminous trees. These nutrients support early growth stages, leading to stronger and more resilient plants.
Utilizing organic fertilizers, composting animal waste, and conducting regular soil tests can help maintain optimal nutrient levels.
Ensuring that animals have access to nutrient-rich forage also contributes to their health and productivity, creating a balanced and sustainable farm ecosystem.
Soil Rehabilitation: Investing in Long-Term Health
Soil quality is a foundational aspect of successful farming. It is often better to invest time and resources into rehabilitating poor soils rather than persisting with suboptimal conditions.
Healthy soil supports robust plant growth and provides a stable foundation for animal activities. Techniques such as cover cropping, organic matter addition, and soil aeration can enhance soil structure and fertility.
Taking the time to rehabilitate soil can lead to improved yields and healthier farm ecosystems in the long run, outweighing the initial investment and potential loss of a year’s productivity.
Species Choice: Selecting Suitable Plants and Animals
Choosing the right species for a farm is critical, especially when considering grassland competition and overall ecosystem balance. Some species, such as tagasaste, pines, and oaks, are more successful in competitive environments compared to cultivated fruits.
These species are often hardier and better adapted to local conditions, reducing the need for intensive management and inputs. Selecting appropriate animal breeds that are well-suited to the farm’s environment is equally important.
By making informed species choices, farmers can create more resilient and self-sustaining ecosystems.
Protection from Browsers: Ensuring Plant Safety
Protecting young plants from browsers is essential to prevent damage and ensure successful establishment. Browsers such as deer, rabbits, and even livestock can cause significant harm to young trees and crops.
mplementing protective measures like thorny plants, fences, stone barriers, and electric barriers can deter these animals and safeguard vulnerable plants.
Effective protection allows plants to establish and grow without the threat of being eaten or trampled, ensuring their long-term survival and productivity.
The practical establishment of a farm that integrates animals into its ecosystem involves addressing several critical factors. Water management, wind shelter, nutrient provision, soil rehabilitation, species choice, and protection from browsers are all essential components of successful farm establishment.
By prioritizing these factors and implementing effective strategies, farmers can minimize losses, reduce costs, and create a thriving, sustainable farm environment. Understanding and addressing these practical problems is key to achieving long-term success in farm animal management.
Permaculture Design Course – The Function of Animals in Organic Gardens
See our Guides for Keeping:
Alpacas ° Bees ° Chickens ° Cows ° Fish ° Goats ° Guinea Pigs & Rabbits ° Worms
° Attracting Butterflies, Birds & Beneficial Insects to Your Garden
° How to Build a Beneficial Bug Hotel for Your Backyard
° Beekeeping Supplies: A Guide to the Essentials
Next Section – Aquaculture and Mariculture
