Microponics
Encyclopedia
Microponics is the symbiotic
integration of fish, plants and micro-livestock in a semi-controlled environment.
While Microponics was also the name given to an obscure grafting method used in hydroponics, Donaldson's use of the term was derived from the integration of micro-livestock (and micro-farming) and the production of fish and plants - aquaponics.
Microponics has its roots in the integrated aquaculture work undertaken by the New Alchemy Institute (Todd, McLarney et al.) during the late 1960s and early 1970s.
The New Alchemists had developed useful food production models based on the integration of fish, plants, ducks, rabbits and other organisms - all of which were housed in their solar and wind-powered Cape Cod Ark bio-shelter.
Integrated aquaculture, in which the byproducts (waste) of one species are converted to become the feedstock (food, fertilizer, etc.) of another species, struck an immediate chord with Gary Donaldson when he was first introduced to it in the mid-1970s.
His goal was to develop a backyard food production regime that would enable the average householder to grow their own clean fresh food through the application of modest skills and appropriate technology.
He reasoned that the one thing that all plant and animal species had in common was a need for water so it seemed logical that aquaculture should become a cornerstone of any integrated backyard food production system.
Once the New Alchemists had reconnected him with the notion of integration (which is largely traditional mixed farming with an appropriate technology twist), Donaldson still grappled with the issue of scale. At just under 30 metres long and 6 metres high, the Ark was rather too large for the average backyard.
Notwithstanding the innovative approach of the New Alchemists, translation of their work into an Australian context back in the 1970s was also hindered by the lack of information about the culture of Australian fish species.
In the ensuing twenty years, aquaculture in Australia came of age and local researchers identified a number of suitable freshwater aquaculture species.
Since 2007, Gary Donaldson has satisfied himself that limited quantities (in a backyard context) of Australian freshwater fish could be successfully grown out in as little as 600 litres of water.
Integrated aquaculture was also the precursor to aquaponics (the integration of recirculating aquaculture and hydroponics) which, by the mid-2000s, was beginning to gain international momentum.
Gary Donaldson found the notion of aquaponics too limiting and he continued to promote a more holistic approach to small-scale food production through the inclusion of micro-livestock.
Aquaponics is, by definition, the combination of recirculating aquaculture and hydroponics for the production of fish and plants, however, Microponics suggests that recirculating aquaculture can be advantageously integrated with virtually any plant growing system.
The principal issue surrounding aquaponics is (like most aquaculture) its reliance on fishmeal and oil from wild catch marine species. The greater bio-diversity inherent in Microponics offers the opportunity to reduce or even eliminate this dependency.
Given its emphasis on backyard food production, Microponics tends to focus on smaller micro-livestock species but, where space and local planning laws permit, the concept can be expanded to include traditional species of pigs, goats, sheep and even micro-cattle breeds like the Dexter.
Symbiosis
Symbiosis is close and often long-term interaction between different biological species. In 1877 Bennett used the word symbiosis to describe the mutualistic relationship in lichens...
integration of fish, plants and micro-livestock in a semi-controlled environment.
History
Microponics is a term created recently by Australian urban farmer, Gary Donaldson to describe his integrated backyard food production concept.While Microponics was also the name given to an obscure grafting method used in hydroponics, Donaldson's use of the term was derived from the integration of micro-livestock (and micro-farming) and the production of fish and plants - aquaponics.
Microponics has its roots in the integrated aquaculture work undertaken by the New Alchemy Institute (Todd, McLarney et al.) during the late 1960s and early 1970s.
The New Alchemists had developed useful food production models based on the integration of fish, plants, ducks, rabbits and other organisms - all of which were housed in their solar and wind-powered Cape Cod Ark bio-shelter.
Integrated aquaculture, in which the byproducts (waste) of one species are converted to become the feedstock (food, fertilizer, etc.) of another species, struck an immediate chord with Gary Donaldson when he was first introduced to it in the mid-1970s.
His goal was to develop a backyard food production regime that would enable the average householder to grow their own clean fresh food through the application of modest skills and appropriate technology.
He reasoned that the one thing that all plant and animal species had in common was a need for water so it seemed logical that aquaculture should become a cornerstone of any integrated backyard food production system.
Once the New Alchemists had reconnected him with the notion of integration (which is largely traditional mixed farming with an appropriate technology twist), Donaldson still grappled with the issue of scale. At just under 30 metres long and 6 metres high, the Ark was rather too large for the average backyard.
Notwithstanding the innovative approach of the New Alchemists, translation of their work into an Australian context back in the 1970s was also hindered by the lack of information about the culture of Australian fish species.
In the ensuing twenty years, aquaculture in Australia came of age and local researchers identified a number of suitable freshwater aquaculture species.
Since 2007, Gary Donaldson has satisfied himself that limited quantities (in a backyard context) of Australian freshwater fish could be successfully grown out in as little as 600 litres of water.
Integrated aquaculture was also the precursor to aquaponics (the integration of recirculating aquaculture and hydroponics) which, by the mid-2000s, was beginning to gain international momentum.
Gary Donaldson found the notion of aquaponics too limiting and he continued to promote a more holistic approach to small-scale food production through the inclusion of micro-livestock.
Aquaponics is, by definition, the combination of recirculating aquaculture and hydroponics for the production of fish and plants, however, Microponics suggests that recirculating aquaculture can be advantageously integrated with virtually any plant growing system.
The principal issue surrounding aquaponics is (like most aquaculture) its reliance on fishmeal and oil from wild catch marine species. The greater bio-diversity inherent in Microponics offers the opportunity to reduce or even eliminate this dependency.
Embodied within Microponics
The integrations embodied within Microponics include:- Fish and crustaceans
- Vegetables, herbs and fruit
- Chickens for meat and eggs
- Japanese (Coturnix) Quail
- Rabbits and other microlivestock
- Muscovies
- Geese and other waterfowl
- Live animal protein - worms, Black Soldier fly larvae, mealworms
- Fodder plants - including duckweed
- Snails
Given its emphasis on backyard food production, Microponics tends to focus on smaller micro-livestock species but, where space and local planning laws permit, the concept can be expanded to include traditional species of pigs, goats, sheep and even micro-cattle breeds like the Dexter.
Advantages
The advantages of Microponics food production systems include:- Empowerment of families to produce their own clean, fresh food.
- Conservation through water reuse and recycling.
- Organic fertilization of plants with natural fish emulsion.
- Efficient use of space through Its small footprint -.
- Reduced reliance on purchased livestock rations.
- Its value as a learning resource for students of all ages.
Disadvantages
Some conceivable disadvantages with microponics are:- Initial expense for housing, tank, plumbing, pump/s, and grow beds.
- The infinite number of ways in which a system can be configured lends itself to varying results, conflicting research, and successes or failures.
- In heavily urbanised environments, a lack of space or local regulations might limit certain possible integrations.
See also
- AquacultureAquacultureAquaculture, also known as aquafarming, is the farming of aquatic organisms such as fish, crustaceans, molluscs and aquatic plants. Aquaculture involves cultivating freshwater and saltwater populations under controlled conditions, and can be contrasted with commercial fishing, which is the...
- AquaponicsAquaponicsAquaponics is a sustainable food production system that combines a traditional aquaculture with hydroponics in a symbiotic environment. In the aquaculture, effluents accumulate in the water, increasing toxicity for the fish...
- HorticultureHorticultureHorticulture is the industry and science of plant cultivation including the process of preparing soil for the planting of seeds, tubers, or cuttings. Horticulturists work and conduct research in the disciplines of plant propagation and cultivation, crop production, plant breeding and genetic...
- HydroponicsHydroponicsHydroponics is a method of growing plants using mineral nutrient solutions, in water, without soil. Terrestrial plants may be grown with their roots in the mineral nutrient solution only or in an inert medium, such as perlite, gravel, mineral wool, or coconut husk.Researchers discovered in the 18th...
- PermaculturePermaculturePermaculture is an approach to designing human settlements and agricultural systems that is modeled on the relationships found in nature. It is based on the ecology of how things interrelate rather than on the strictly biological concerns that form the foundation of modern agriculture...