Permaculture and the Three Epochs Curriculum: More on Water

E) Wetlands • Chinampa system- world’s most productive agriculture, using banks next to water, maximizes productive edge. Swampy or marshy land ideal for this development. System of water-land nutrient exchange in harmonic effect. (Mexico and Thailand) • Ducks (main livestock) cycle nutrients, return potash to water and land. • Fish are marginal feeders • Azolla [...]

Permaculture and the Three Epochs Curriculum

Water Cycles and Management Run-off Factors Depend On: • Absolute catchment size: “small” catchments (stream orders 1-3) discharge a greater proportion of water and have greater flood flow than “large” catchment (stream orders 4-6). E.g. foothills will peak to flood more rapidly than plains, and may discharge 30-40% of rain. On plains only 8- 20% [...]

Permaculture and the Three Epochs Curriculum

II. WATER Learning Objectives: In this unit you will learn how to read slope and how water moves by gravity. You will discuss what the hydrological cycle is and its importance in the great web of life. You will learn how to capture water with dams and swales, how to recharge groundwater systems, how to [...]

Permaculture and the Three Epochs Curriculum: Trees

Types of forest: Fuel – Forage – Structural – Shelter; animal barrier – Food – Natural – Conservation Fuel: It is essential that least use is made of solid fuels, barks and leaves should be returned to the soil or the system will degrade. Liquid fuels from species yielding sugars for conversion to alcohol, or [...]

Permaculture and the Three Epochs Curriculum

TREES AND THEIR ENERGY TRANSACTIONS Trees should be considered as energy transducers of: Wind, Sun and Rainfall. Wind: Only 40% of the wind is forced through the trees, and friction causes heat inside the forest with no frost in marginal frost sites. The trees on the outside have thicker trunks due to wind force and [...]

Permaculture and the Three Epochs Curriculum

Forests and Trees Trees as Energy Transducers: Wind, Sun, and Rainfall Wind 1. 40% of incoming wind is forced through the trees, friction causes heat inside the forest (no frost). Outside trees have thicker trunks due to wind force; inner trunks are thinner. 2. Wind brings in dust and insects: at edge of forest there [...]