Embedded

Embedded Block
Principles

Currently Thunder Bird Park utilizes a large portion of viable hardwood and logs for furniture, retaining walls and gardens,  however large quantities of brown waste material unsuitable for these uses heads for the burn pile. Our new brown waste  plan when implemented would see excess brown waste mulched  rather burnt for implementation throughout the park natives  gardens and as the primary source of material for the  Thunder Bird Bio-Blocks under our eco-preservation efforts. 

With a detachable mulcher, the proposed system is directly  fed finely mulched brown waste to be heat treated and then allowed to cool. From here seeds and a fungal spore packet  have a timed release during the feed of mulch to a compactor  creating the multi-layered Embedded Bio-preservation blocks.

Application

Expanding with each exposure to water, layering of internal seeds allows for controlled sprouting optimizing the growth and success rate of all internal organisms. As the block acts as an overcrowded seed bed, the strongest few of each species will germinate and spread throughout the region furthering growth, trans-evaporation and transporation furhtering more growth throughout the region.

Throughout blocks, as many native species of the below plants should be used as feasible, however specialized embedded blocks in which critical native species such as the Birdwing Butterfly Vine and Black Tip Spider Orchard are prioritized will cater for the recovery of native animal and insect species as well as the plants. Although seeds and cuttings can be implemented into other blocks, prioritizing the critical species wellbeing may mean less overall bio-diversity in the block but a healthier ecosystem and so further study will be necessary to find what ratio we should be dispersing these at.

As mycelium is critical for soil and overall eco-systemic health, a variety of fungal spores including those which are fruiting and otherwise are to be dehydrated and encased in a biodegradable sheath and housed near center of the brick. The sheath consists of organic matter in which when in contact with water wont rot but rather feed the spores within. By the time the most prominent mycelial networks grow outside of its housing component, most seeds should now be saplings with exception of the off-centered tree seeds closest to it. Any unsuccessful sprouts and the bio-litter in which the block sits will feed the mycelium and prompt it to grow deeper, reinforcing any established networks already prevalent. ( 6 )

To begin complete ecological growth, feed bacteria and improve overall soil health, nitrogen downdrawing varieties including beans, legumes and clovers are the first seedlings to sprout, preparing the soil for secondary plant species housed within the block. The Fabaceae (nitrogen fixating plant family) allow for faster establishment of the block and higher water retention within the surrounding soils faster while feeding native consumer and pollinators. Ensuring these are among the first to sprout is critical to overall success as they protect secondary saplings from drying and dying thanks to their initial canopy’s more favourable environment above the soil and taking the heat of the midday sun. The creeping and climbing nature of the included varieties also means that they dont overcrowd the bed but can still grow in large enough quantities for each block to contain multiple varieties pending on the surrounding ecological needs. ( 1 )

Interior Seed Mix

Including a variety of fruiting bushes and vines placed throughout the coir brick will feed and house ground dwelling animals, insect populations and native pollinators. Having creeping vines and bushes near the outside of the block will allow for greater establishment as climbing vines will need to sprout later. The implementation of these bushes should be throughout most layers of the block as many can be fickle and will most likely have a lower success rate when it comes to survival. Fruits with high seed yield would be optimal for long term growth however native animal diets will be priority. ( 4 )

A - Low lying Fruits

Implementing deep rooting perennials, fruiting or otherwise will ensure access to softer soil at greater depths much more quickly for all following seedlings. This in-turn will also allow for greater soil bio-diversity and prompt tree seeds to seek deeper soil allowing for mycelial networks to also develop faster as they seek deeper, nutrient rich soil. ( 2 )

A snapshot of localised ecology embedded within 3 variations of eco-restoration bio-blocks Encapsulating the flora and microbiome of Mt Tamborine‘s natural forests and Thunder Bird Parks Native Gardens for your property.

This system is the last necessary to allow for the complete  upcycle of all brown waste from the park (including excess  after severe weather) with leaf matter being utilized in our  composting system with green waste from the park's  restaurants and continuing hardwood upcycle practices.  

The bio-blocks, a balanced combination of on-site sourced  native seeds and spores, is designed to easily reinforce our  genetically diverse eco-system feeding soil microbes, primary/ secondary producers and consumers. Implementing fungal  spores along with a variety of fruiting, flowering and otherwise  flora to house and feed critical and native will allows for future  secondary implementation sites to rebound after fires, stabilize soil erosion, power mass carbon downdraw, easily implement  scale wildlife conservation and feed surrounding eco-systems as the system grows and ages.