Modelling

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Our understanding of our environment is based on many interlocking fields of knowledge. To design with nature we need to have in mind a practical, simple synthesis.

Basically, vast climate cells sweep over local landforms bringing water. This and the available sunlight determine the conditions for life on each particular site.

An understanding of the Solar Diagram, the wind patterns and the slopes allows us to form a mental picture of the interplay between light, air, water and soils.

Thus we can look at the 4 basic families of physical factors: the topography, climate, hydrography and soils or edaphology; first separately, then combined.

This system of physical factors serves as a base for the biological community to develop. These in turn can be seen as 3 main families: the micro-organisms (mostly decomposers), the vegetation which are the producers, and the fauna or consumers.

In its simplest form the entire ecosystem can be seen as 3 families of biological factors built up on the base of the 4 families of physical factors.

The climate and the soils determine the biological conditions for the vegetation and the fauna. These in turn moderate the climate and enrich the soils.

The hills are more exposed to the wind and rain and tend to lose their soils as they wash off meteorized rock. The hollows act as recipients and accumulate the soil.

When wind meets mountainside it is forced to discard some of its water content. Thus condensation levels and then precipitation bands appear on the slopes.

On the way down, the surface runoff washes off the exposed sediments and deposits them in the flatter areas it encounters. There the biological potential increases.

In turn the vegetation acts on the air, filtering out airborne particles, adding moisture and absorbing sunlight which would otherwise heat up the ground.

In areas with more vegetation the temperature fluctuations are noticeably attenuated and rainfall is systematically increased.

Sunlight on its way in is partially absorbed by moisture and particles in the air. Some of it is absorbed by the ground; some is bounced back and again partially absorbed as it goes through the air.

As a result of these main interactions and all the others, a community of species develops through an evolutionary succession that tends towards an optimum.

It is in man's best interest to act as a custodian to this combination of factors and species; and thus ensure his survival and well-being.

So the built environment may be seen as a set of envelopes which provide optimum comfort while at the same time allowing the local ecosystem to function properly.

Basic Concepts on Ecosystems Functions.