Study Approach need to go beyond biological factors. We also wanted to arrange species based on their maintenance frequency, economic productivity, and, in the case of animals, strong ethical considerations for their health and natural behavior. In order to conduct such an optimization on paper, without an experimental space where plants and animals could be placed next to one another, we had to collect enormous quantities of data. First we had to determine which exact data points are critical for each species. In the case of plants, which are non-mobile, there are many: light, soil pH, soil oxygen, moisture, nutrient levels, temperature hardiness, chilling requirements, and many others. The largest challenge in this process was gathering all of the appropriate data required for decision-making. After having determined the full range of data points that were necessary, we created a filtering and analysis process for this data. The process we have developed here allows us to systematically filter a very large amount of information about crops and livestock, and optimize it for several key parameters at once. Ultimately, one of the main outcomes of this study was the design of a functional, repeatable process for assembling a polyculture system rather than perfecting a single design. Polydome: High Performance Polyculture Systems 53 Pagina 52

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