P .3 Mapping the system Time Time is a critical factor in designing an agricultural ecosystem. Most elements within the system operate on both a diurnal and an annual cycle. Other elements, such as perennial crops and animals with longer life spans, also have a longer time scale to take into account. Long-lived perennials (such as trees, bushes, etc.) often have an initial phase in which they are still reaching maturity and not yet at peak productivity. In these periods, it is possible to plant around them with other crops that have shorter growth and production cycles. In order to understand the relevant activities in the Polydome system, we constructed two sets of time lines. One long-term time line was used to understand the longer-scale patterns of perennial crop development. A second time line, showing an annual resolution of activity, was used to show times of year when each crop and livestock element needs different kinds of care: pruning, mulching, harvesting, etc. Within the time scale, we also had to consider crop rotation requirements. Several of our chosen annual species cannot be grown in the same location for more than one season. Productive Life Cycles The time line graphic to the right is used to understand the longer-term Cycles within the greenhouse, and to keep track of the changes in yields as the greenhouse reaches different stages of maturity. It is clear from time line to the right that by the 30 year mark, most of the primary perennial crops will have exhausted their productive life spans. This kind of graphic can also provide guidance for longer-term planning - for example,by indicating when perennial crops need to be replanted. 68 Pagina 67
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