The remarkable adaptation of the spinebill and hummingbird to hover and sip nectar from long, narrow flowers with their spine-like beak symbolises the specialisation of form and function in nature. The proverb “don’t put all your eggs in one basket” reminds us that diversity offers insurance against the variations of our environment.
Built—Energy Systems, public spaces in diverse/different ways, tiny houses, Earth Ships, other building materials (Cob vs mud brick) - zoning laws, diverse modes of transport in new housing estates
Biological—Food Forests - shapes, sizes - structural - varieties eg Tomatoes, grow multiple varieties, not all the same - people - agro forestry - plants that attract predator species - microbiome
Behavioural—Can’t change everyone, but think different about how we might help them in different ways
Reference: Holmgren, D. Permaculture Principles & Pathways beyond Sustainability