Mapping Sectors
| site analysis |
Sector planning is concerned with energies external to our site, the elements and forces of Nature, that come from outside our system, and pass through it.
These energies include:
Since these wild energies come into our system from outside, we can strategically place elements in our design to manage or take advantage of these incoming energies.
By placing plants, trees or structures in the appropriate areas, we can:
Mapping Sectors
To map out how these wild energies interact with our site, we can use a sector diagram.
Each sector indicates one of the external energies discussed above, and is usually represented as a wedge shape, like a slice of a pie, radiating our from the centre of activity, Zone 0, the home, but it can be any other structure of central focus if necessary.
Together, zone planning and sector planning cover the management of energy inside the site and external energies flowing through the site respectively. Once we have completed our zone and sector analysis, we can then consider one more factor in efficient energy planning, that is the concept of Slope. The contour of the land has a considerable bearing on the design of the site, so this topic will be discussed on the following section.
The diagram below shows a sector diagram for the southern hemisphere, with the sun to the north.
These energies include:
- hot summer winds
- cold winter winds
- winter and summer sun angles
- salty or damaging winds
- water flow and flood prone areas
- unwanted views
- fire danger areas
Since these wild energies come into our system from outside, we can strategically place elements in our design to manage or take advantage of these incoming energies.
By placing plants, trees or structures in the appropriate areas, we can:
- Block the incoming energy: Block strong winds or intense mid-summer light with placement of deciduous trees on the western side of a house.
- Channel the incoming energy for our intended use: Water flowing into our site, either from directly above as rain, from run-off coming from adjacent properties, or collecting in an area (such as a flood prone area) can be redirected into lakes, dams, ponds, irrigation channels, swales and other water management systems.
- Open the area to allow the incoming energy in: Sunlight is one of the elements of nature that we might want to increase in our design. If we have structures or trees blocking the light reaching our Zone 1 kitchen garden for example, rather than relocate the garden, we can clear the area to allow more light in. Where places are too shaded, we can thin out trees or branches to increase productivity from our available space.
Mapping Sectors
To map out how these wild energies interact with our site, we can use a sector diagram.
Each sector indicates one of the external energies discussed above, and is usually represented as a wedge shape, like a slice of a pie, radiating our from the centre of activity, Zone 0, the home, but it can be any other structure of central focus if necessary.
Together, zone planning and sector planning cover the management of energy inside the site and external energies flowing through the site respectively. Once we have completed our zone and sector analysis, we can then consider one more factor in efficient energy planning, that is the concept of Slope. The contour of the land has a considerable bearing on the design of the site, so this topic will be discussed on the following section.
The diagram below shows a sector diagram for the southern hemisphere, with the sun to the north.
|
|
Zones
|
|
|
Zones is a term used to describe distinctly different habitat types that can be modelled upon a similar natural ecosystem in how we assemble plant and animal species in that zone and manage their interactions and add our own interventions to maintain balance in the desired productive state - or take measures to transition to that state.
This latter point recognises that while an optimal design for a site might call for it being a diverse and productive food forest - the journey from a compacted, nutrient deficient and acidic soil sparsely clad by an over grazed stubble of grass (characteristic of many landscapes inherited by a budding permaculture designer) to that optimal 'food forest heaven' requires transition through a number of successional changes facilitated by pioneer plants, nutrient accumulating pants, nitrogen fixating plants, periodic grazing / browsing etc by animals.
Below is a review of the characteristics typical of each permaculture zone. Note however there is broad interpretation of this concept and their is no hard and fast rule. But in my own thinking I like to see what it is about the function of plants and animals in that system that demonstrate the design strategy expressed through the permaculture principles. Or more simply how does each system within a zone create healthy and resilient outcomes that positively feedback to further enhance the fertility and productivity of that system. And then on a larger scale - how are the different system beneficially integrates so that output form one system in an input into another to re-enforce positive feedback loops and hold energy and nutrients within the inter-connections between those systems as much as possible.
How to achieve the design of these systems can be daunting (especially when just starting) but through adopting this design ethos we are harmonising with the evolutionary process adopted within natural ecosystem and we can look at the composition and function of these systems for guidance. Hence when creating a food forest we can be guided by the forest edge ecosystem, when designing a pasture the grassland ecosystem, when designing an aquaculture system that of a wetland. The end point of harmonising with the patterns expressed within natural ecosystems should be the creation of a balanced and stable agricultural ecosystem that produces nutrient dense and organic food for us, harmonises with surrounding natural ecosystems and are part of an integrated and a (relatively) closed-loop farm system.
Zone 0 - The House (explored in detail in the Eco Homes course)
There are many ways in which permaculture design principles can be used in a house to improve function, aesthetics, sustainability and integration between other farm systems.
The design possibilities are endless. But they represent a way of making this zone the ultimate expression of your creativity, personal empowerment and design capability. The space created can be a powerful expression of your skill as a designer.
Zone 1 - Kitchen Garden (explored in detail in the annual garden course)
Zone 2 - Perennial Orchard (explored in detail in the perennial orchard course)
Zone 3 - Grazing System (explored in more detail in the Holistic Grazing course).
Zone 4 is often a timber-producing zone, often on more marginal land, wind breaks, stream banks or similar. This zone acts as a buffer between more intensive areas of production and wilderness areas. As such it should be modelled as much as possible on surrounding natural systems and ideally be based on native timber species to allow migration of wildlife between habitats and create buffers between land use types.
Zone 5 is minimally impacted wilderness areas, which are commonly influenced by selection of native species most useful for sporadic harvest, but otherwise left to resemble natural ecosystems as closely as possible. Because each zone can be based on different types of ecosystems with different inputs and dynamics it pays to mark out clearly from the start where each zone fits into the overall property design.
This latter point recognises that while an optimal design for a site might call for it being a diverse and productive food forest - the journey from a compacted, nutrient deficient and acidic soil sparsely clad by an over grazed stubble of grass (characteristic of many landscapes inherited by a budding permaculture designer) to that optimal 'food forest heaven' requires transition through a number of successional changes facilitated by pioneer plants, nutrient accumulating pants, nitrogen fixating plants, periodic grazing / browsing etc by animals.
Below is a review of the characteristics typical of each permaculture zone. Note however there is broad interpretation of this concept and their is no hard and fast rule. But in my own thinking I like to see what it is about the function of plants and animals in that system that demonstrate the design strategy expressed through the permaculture principles. Or more simply how does each system within a zone create healthy and resilient outcomes that positively feedback to further enhance the fertility and productivity of that system. And then on a larger scale - how are the different system beneficially integrates so that output form one system in an input into another to re-enforce positive feedback loops and hold energy and nutrients within the inter-connections between those systems as much as possible.
How to achieve the design of these systems can be daunting (especially when just starting) but through adopting this design ethos we are harmonising with the evolutionary process adopted within natural ecosystem and we can look at the composition and function of these systems for guidance. Hence when creating a food forest we can be guided by the forest edge ecosystem, when designing a pasture the grassland ecosystem, when designing an aquaculture system that of a wetland. The end point of harmonising with the patterns expressed within natural ecosystems should be the creation of a balanced and stable agricultural ecosystem that produces nutrient dense and organic food for us, harmonises with surrounding natural ecosystems and are part of an integrated and a (relatively) closed-loop farm system.
Zone 0 - The House (explored in detail in the Eco Homes course)
There are many ways in which permaculture design principles can be used in a house to improve function, aesthetics, sustainability and integration between other farm systems.
- Food wastes can be composted and used as a source of fertility for gardens.
- Grey water can be directed to a swale in which a food forest is becoming established.
- A composting toilet can be used to create compost for zone 2 trees.
- Food from throughout the farm is brought back to the house to be processed and consumed.
- Water can collected of sheds and glasshouses in zone 1 for drinking water.
- Building materials can be used to make a house. For example native timber from zone 4 to frame the house, clay rich subsoil to make cob to fill the wall spaces, wood shingles to tile the roof.
- Passive solar design principles can be incorporates into the design and aesthetics of the house to improve living quality and house performance.
- A glasshouse could be incorporated into a part of the north facing wall.
- a pathway from the house, through the glasshouse could open up into an aquaponics pond, food forest, herb garden or vegetable beds.
The design possibilities are endless. But they represent a way of making this zone the ultimate expression of your creativity, personal empowerment and design capability. The space created can be a powerful expression of your skill as a designer.
Zone 1 - Kitchen Garden (explored in detail in the annual garden course)
- The area around the house is characterised by high intensity systems and built structures that are highly individualistic in their design and function. This is due to this environment being modelled strongly after the artistic expression and functional requirements of the user - forming a 'human-environment'.
- Those areas closest to the house and are frequented most often would suit placement of systems that require regular maintenance and inspection. A good example of this are chickens that require checking of food, water and predation and harvest of eggs. The chicken house can therefore be placed in close proximity to a pathway leading away from the house. In this same location, can be placed plant propagation areas, glasshouses, kitchen gardens, herb gardens and similar that require frequent attention. In clustering these features in close proximity time and effort are not wasted in moving between locations. Also if the output of one system, such as manured wood chips from the chicken coop are a input into another system (mulch around fruit trees) by locating them in close proximity time and effort are not wastes in moving materials any great distance.
- Inspiration can also be drawn from the patterns expressed in nature to make this zone more aesthetic and harmonious in its design and function. Spiral that meander like a river and harmonise with the patterning of natural watercourses that may exist nearby, garden beds organised in spiral patterns, storage areas adopting hexagonal patterns and many more nature-inspired themes.
- The busy nature of zone 1 can also make this are look scattered and bust easily too. To avoid this it is good to start with a few key features and organise around this. For example you may have a nice apple tree in your garden. You can expand upon this by planting a compatible guild of companion plants that enhance the health of the apple tree and add to the aesthetic beauty of the space (without it becoming too cluttered). Along a meandering path from the house past the tree and to a garden gate environment could be placed the main vegetable beds, herb gardens, compost bins and chicken house - acting as a functional link between these systems and aiding in the management of this space and redistribution of resources. The borders of the garden could then be planted with trees to add additional yields, reduce winds that would be detrimental to production, provide afternoon shade in summer and bordering these plantings vegetable beds with slower turn over crops that require less frequent attention.
Zone 2 - Perennial Orchard (explored in detail in the perennial orchard course)
- This zone often includes a perennial orchard (modelled upon a forest edge ecosystem), which integrates nitrogen fixing trees, berries, fruits, perennial vegetables, herbs and understory plants that help build soil fertility and compete against weeds. Animals are often commonly integrated into this zone as tractors to limit impact upon understory plants so that grazing is focused in pathways between plantings - thus acting to maintain these pathways, recycle nutrients back into the soil (to be adsorbed by the orchard p[plantings) and convert fallen fruit and other waster outputs to beneficial manures. Other vegetable scraps, fine clipping, prunings etc can be added to the tractor area (if it is set up as a netted off area) and these scraps can be mounded up when you move the tractor on to create mini compost piles on the edge of the pathways.
- Zone 2 systems should require less frequent management activities than zone 1 (for your own energy efficiency and because it is often a larger less concentrated area). Beneficial interaction between zone 1 and 2 should also be incorporated into the design. For example a chicken house could be incorporated in zone 1 and then electric mesh runs can be set up along pathways that branch out from this house into the zone 2 orchard. Or a fish pond could be placed in zone 1 that is part of an aquaponics system and the hydrology of this pond is linked to swales in zone 2 which incorporate food forest plants. Or a small goat milking shed might be in zone 1 (and when you wash this out it out it feeds a swale which incorporates food forest plants) and the goat run could be along pathways in the zone 2 orchard to a larger zone 3 open woodland of nut trees.
Zone 3 - Grazing System (explored in more detail in the Holistic Grazing course).
- This zone is commonly modelled upon a natural woodland grazing system, which integrated larger trees (nut trees, animal fodder, large fruit trees, or nitrogen fixing trees with pasture. The larger grazers (cows, sheep, goats, geese, etc) are carefully rotated through areas of this zones, allowing good recovery of plant communities of pasture herbs and grasses and trees between grazing events.
- Good grazing management is a dynamic art requiring sensitivity to the health, diversity and abundance of pasture herbs and grasses, the impact of the grazers on the soil at different times of year and the timing of moving the grazers around the paddocks or holding off the paddocks to allow for the most vigorous pasture growth and healthy function of the soil biology.
- Under good grazing management, plants grazed will thrive, while poor quality pasture plants will die out. When animals go into a pasture, they are doing more than just eating. They trample weeds and dead plants into the soil, which adds organic matter. They select plants they want to eat and spread manure.
Zone 4 is often a timber-producing zone, often on more marginal land, wind breaks, stream banks or similar. This zone acts as a buffer between more intensive areas of production and wilderness areas. As such it should be modelled as much as possible on surrounding natural systems and ideally be based on native timber species to allow migration of wildlife between habitats and create buffers between land use types.
Zone 5 is minimally impacted wilderness areas, which are commonly influenced by selection of native species most useful for sporadic harvest, but otherwise left to resemble natural ecosystems as closely as possible. Because each zone can be based on different types of ecosystems with different inputs and dynamics it pays to mark out clearly from the start where each zone fits into the overall property design.