Permaculure Design Principle 10

Increasing "Edge" Within a System - Increasing productivity through edge effects and natural patterns

Increasing "edge" within a system

The ‘edge’ or ecotone is the place where two ecologies meet, such as the rangelands and meadows. Ecotones are the most diverse and fertile area in a system. Two ecosystems come together to form a third which has more diversity than either of the other two, i.e.: edges of ponds, forests, meadows, etc. Permaculture design seeks to increase edge and it’s beneficial effects wherever possible, including between people and ideas.

Observe and replicate natural patterns

Some of the patterns in nature that permaculturalists use are: Spirals, Branches, Concentric Circles, Explosions, Waves, Layers, Lagoons, Holes and many more (SFPermaculture).

The Golden Ration of Nature or the Fibonacci spiral.

Spirals appear in seashells,	pine cones ,	animal horns
such as galaxies	and patterns of plant growth.	They also appear in non-living natural objects and in non-living natural processes such as hurricanes, ocean waves and concentric polygons of tundra.
Most of nature's horns, claws and teeth (including your own) exhibit a Fibonacci spiral. Even though the curvature is slight, any dentist knows that he must pull a tooth in the right direction.

Cross section of the above herb spiral showing construction

One benefit of the raised, spiraled shape is that you can grow in one small space plants requiring a variety of growing conditions. The herb spiral has two diverse microclimates, ranging from a sunny, dry area on the upper southern half to a shaded, moist area on the north and around the base. The raised top drains quickly, and the base gets all the water run-off. As a result, you can grow herbs, greens, medicinals, bulbs, and flowers on one spiral. And the spiraled bed provides more growing area than garden rows.

1. Relative Location - Where stuff in the right place
2. Each Element Performs Multiple Functions - Multitasking
3. Multiple Sources for Each Need - Redundancy planning to reduce failure
4. Energy Efficient Planning - Zoning & sectors
5. Using Local Biological Resources - "Think globally, Act Locally"
6. Cycling of Energy - Reconnecting movement of energy
7. Optimum Sizing & Stacking - Intensive systems under control
8. Accelerating Plant Succession and Evolution- Working with Nature, not against Her
9. Polyculture and Diversity of Species - Resilience and resistance to pest attacks
10. Increasing "Edge" Within a System - Increasing productivity through edge effects and natural patterns

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