Be, Contemplate, Imagine. #03
Assignment 2.3 Al Kennedy - BCI: Be, Contemplate, Imagine.
My BCI location is at the heart of the expansive Somerset Levels, a 917.6 hectare (2267.3 acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest south of Wedmore in Somerset. This Moor forms part of the extensive grazing marsh and ditch systems of the Somerset Levels and other Moors. There are no hedges and few trees except for lines of pollarded crack and white willows. The area is crisscrossed by drainage ditches. The water table is high throughout the greater part of the year with winter flooding occurring annually, by over-topping of the River Brue. 113 aquatic and bankside vascular plant species have been recorded from the field ditches, rhynes and deep arterial watercourses.
Observing the environment immediately presents some very obvious man-made systems - evident in the layout of the fields and rhynes (drainage ditches). However these ditches also provide an organic system and rich habitat for natural eco-systems to thrive. Animals, birdlife and plant based organisms all coexist here - mainly out of sight - and at varying scales - from water based micro organisms to larger farm animals such as cattle or sheep.
In order to ‘map’ or comprehend the concept of systems for this exercise; it helps me to try to ‘zoom’ out of the location place. I can then begin to understand and imagine the larger systems at work; and then gradually focus down to a macro level. The larger system relies on the seasons weather patterns and how these then impact or effect the environment and determine the local ‘conditions’ for life.
Recently this area in SW England was completely flooded, due to extreme weather; and the effect was devastating but the natural flora and fauna now appear to have fully replenished themselves. The Moors and Levels are formed historically from a submerged and reclaimed landscape. Early attempts to control the water levels were possibly made by the Romans.
The perception of balance - dynamic inflow and outflow - in the landscape is a collaboration between man and nature. There is an influence from the farming needs and livestock - such as grazing on the fields and harvesting crops for animal feed. The natural system is very much dependent on the drains or water systems and the rich soil nutrients that are embedded with a rich peat soil base.
As a result of their wetland nature, the Moors and Levels contain rich systems of biodiversity supporting a vast variety of plant species, including common plants such as Marsh Marigold, Meadowsweet, and Ragged Robin. The area is also an important feeding ground for birds including Bewick’s Swan, Eurasian Curlew, Common Redshank, Skylark, Common Snipe, Common Teal, Wigeon, and Whimbrel, as well as birds of prey including the Marsh Harrier and Peregrine Falcon. A wide range of insect species is also present and in addition, the area supports an important Otter population.
All of these species coexist as part of a larger ecosystem - interconnected and surviving amongst this environment. Demonstrating clearly a scale and infrastructure at many levels that is not clear on first view but reveals a rich system where all parts are interdependent on each other. Most striking for me is that these are not apparent to us humans - and the importance and support network our Natural Capital provides is predominately taken very much for granted.
How these interconnected systems can inspire a design solution - could be applied to such concepts for city planning, communication systems, communities and organisational business models for example.
Emergent ideas I have had relate to business structure for example; to develop diversity and encouraging flexibility in your organisation - systems to promote stability and response to external disturbance.
This process and insight could provide a biomimetic model and valid strategy for implementing no central management within the organisation; but the creation of small ‘pods’ or working teams with a transparent communication mechanism so everybody knows how things are working? (action and reaction based).
