Living Landscapes
Read the landscape

Module 03 / 25

The Local
Ecosystem

Get to know the place where the design comes about

Topics

  • Observation skills
  • Principles of ecology
  • Reading the landscape
Orchard plantings meet a woodland edge, with paths and mulched beds between young trees.
Observation skills · Principles of ecology · Reading the landscape

What you’ll learn

Learning goals

  • Get to know the place where the design comes about
  • Describe the flow of energy through the system, the cycling of materials within it, and the feedback loops that integrate it

Read, watch & explore

Getting the books · access & editions

Use your own copy, buy the book, or borrow it through a library when possible. If you are local to me, contact me about borrowing a copy. You can also contact me for information about digital or other access to assigned readings.

Ask about reading access

If your edition uses different page numbers, contact me and we can match the correct section. Contact instructor.

Ecology, observation, and energy flow

Use EFG 2 to separate observations from interpretations. For the energy-flow learning goal, consult the EFG 1 reading on food webs and energy flow.

Book reading · EFG 1

Edible Forest Gardens, Volume 1

Dave Jacke and Eric Toensmeier

Pages 69 to 109: The local ecosystem

Pages 142 to 146: Food webs and energy flow

Book access & editions

Book reading · EFG 2

Edible Forest Gardens, Volume 2

Dave Jacke and Eric Toensmeier

Pages 182 to 188: starting at “SITE ANALYSIS AND ASSESSMENT”

Book access & editions

Prepare to observe your site

Watch the Site Analysis Intro Video listed in Module 6. Also use Oregon State University’s Permaculture Site Analysis: From Macro to Micro lesson, which includes a transcript.

Keep observations with your map

On your site map, distinguish something you observed from something you inferred. Include an example of an input, a material cycle, and an output. Revisit uncertain observations when conditions change. Keep these notes with your map.

Diverse garden plantings, flowers, and an access path: details to notice when reading a landscape.

Field exercise

Eight lenses on your site

Choose an area where you will do your design if site-based and acquire a site map. Google satellite view is handy for this. Ask me and I can help you get this by printing it out or by tracing it from a computer screen. Walk around your chosen area with the site map and observe the site through 8 different lenses based on these aspects of the Scale of Permanence:

Ask me for help with your site map

  1. Landform: where does the land slope? Where are the high and low points? Mark with arrows on the map.

  2. Water (in general): Where does water pool? Where is there potential for water capture? Where are water access points (taps, rain barrels, ponds).

  3. Access and circulation (paths, roads)

  4. Microclimate (south and north slopes, wind protected areas, areas by bodies of water, areas in front of rock cliffs, etc.)

  5. Buildings and infrastructure

  6. Zones of use

  7. Soil (fertility and management) - where is the best soil? Where is the soil poor? What is the soil organic matter like? Are there soil aggregates? How deep is the topsoil?

  8. Aesthetics - Where are the best views? Where are the undesirable views?

What to prepare

  • Your site map annotated using the eight lenses above.
  • Your observation notes, including the observed/inferred distinction and examples of an input, a material cycle, and an output from the lesson.

Save written notes as a document or PDF. For paper maps or handwritten notes, use a clear photo or scan. You can combine related work in one file.

Your continuing design project

Sketch on the map, prepare your notes, and share them with me.

Keep these notes with your map.

Share & discuss

Send your site observations

Attach your annotated site map and observation notes.

Email the address listed under “Get In Touch” on my contact page. Do not use the contact form. Include the Permaculture Design Course, Module 3, and “Site observations” in your subject or message.

Find my email address ↗

Readings & resources

Module 22: Land-access guidance

Return to the course outline