Why is biodiversity important? How to increase biodiversity using BIOMIMICRY?
In the film The Birds produced and directed by Alfred Hitchcock, the focus is on a series of sudden and unexplained violent bird attacks on the people of Bodega Bay, California. A classic horror film; however, the true horror is perhaps a world without birds.
My newest resource for Google Classroom uses endangered birds as inspiration. This is not the first time that I have used endangered animals or plants as inspiration for ideas. Using endangered animals or plants as inspiration for ideas highlights the importance of protecting nature.
Bird diversity is important. Biodiversity is the total variety of all life on Earth. Why is greater biodiversity a good thing? The more biodiversity, the more secure all life on Earth is, including ourselves.
“The total biodiversity on our planet is immense.” David Attenborough
Yet, many species are endangered.
“Over 1,450 bird species are considered globally threatened because they have small and declining populations or ranges. Of these, 222 are Critically Endangered and face an extremely high risk of extinction in the immediate future. Threatened birds are found throughout the world, but are concentrated in the tropics and especially in forests. Population declines may be quick and catastrophic, but even small increases in mortality can threaten the survival of some species.” Bird Life International
Even if biodiversity is seen as a solution and every species is a source of potentially untapped information, we still need to use a creative as well as a critical approach to thinking and creative tools to tap into the knowledge of nature. There is no ready solution that will lead to an instant solution.
Some biomimicry solutions have not been sustainable; for example, Velcro has contributed to the environment mostly in the form of non-biodegradable landfills.
The story of the magnificent flightless fat parrot, Kakapo, offers hope. The bird is critically endangered, but intense intervention in every stage of the bird’s life has led to an increase in numbers. It was on the brink of extinction in the mid-1990s when there were only around 50 birds.
The bird is nocturnal, and exploring the way kakapos move around in the darkness can lead to some interesting ideas. They have a jog-like gait, and they parachute to the ground from high trees using their wings (they cannot fly). Kiwi, another flightless bird, lacks wings, but the kakapos have wings. The feathers are softer than the feathers of other parrots as they do not need to be strong for flying.
What cool things can you invent inspired by Kakapos? Can you make sure that the invention is sustainable?
Project Based Learning GOOGLE Classroom™, Endangered Birds, Biomimicry
Photo: https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=48081940
Frequently Asked Questions
What is biomimicry?
Biomimicry is the practice of looking to nature for solutions, then applying what we learn to design and problem-solving. Instead of inventing from scratch, it means studying how plants, animals, and ecosystems have already solved a challenge — like staying cool, collecting water, or absorbing carbon — and adapting that strategy for human use.
How does biomimicry help address climate change?
Nature has been adapting to extreme conditions for billions of years, so many organisms already hold working solutions to problems we now face at a larger scale — cooling buildings without electricity (termite mounds), collecting water in drought (the Namib beetle), protecting coastlines from storms (mangrove roots), and capturing carbon (corals, forests, kelp). Biomimicry means studying those solutions and applying the same principles to human design.
How can children get involved in biomimicry?
Children don’t need special training to think like a biomimicrist — just curiosity and a habit of asking “how does nature solve this?” Simple ways to start include a backyard scavenger hunt for nature’s patterns, a “design-an-animal” challenge for a changing climate, or building a small model (like a passive-cooling structure or a water collector) inspired by something they’ve observed outdoors.
Is biomimicry only for scientists and engineers?
No — biomimicry is as much a mindset as a profession. Anyone can practice it by observing nature closely and asking design questions. Professional biomimicry practitioners apply it in architecture, materials science, and engineering, but the same core skill — careful observation followed by “what if we built it that way?” — is exactly what this post’s classroom and family activities are designed to build in children.
Åsa Jomård
In 2015, Åsa completed a course in Biomimicry: A Sustainable Design Methodology at Minneapolis College of Art and Design. With over 10 years of experience exploring nature for inspiration and as a former member of Ben, Biomimicry Education Network, she brings both academic background and creative teaching experience to her work. Her materials seamlessly integrate stories, nature observations, and design challenges, making them perfect for inquiry-led learning in early primary contexts.
AI was used as a Thinking Partner.