Biosystem features
(RIRDC, 2000):

• Simple connections: e.g. livestock manure is used as a fertilizer for plant crops;

• Intermediate Connections: e.g. organic "waste" - compost or vermiculture - plant crops;

• Closed Loops: e.g. livestock - manure - fodder crop - feed - livestock;

• Fuel Generation: e.g. organic "waste" - biodigester - biogas;

• Remediation & Nutrient Recovery: e.g. effluent from sewage treatment is pumped into storage lagoons and used to grow floating aquatic plants (e.g. duckweed). Duckweed growth reduces the originally high nutrient load to a level where the water is suitable for irrigation (e.g. for fibre crops). The duckweed is also harvested as feed for livestock and fish;

• Multiple Water Use: e.g. recycling dams allow the same water to be sued for growing several crops (e.g. fish, crustaceans, rice, and hardwood);

• Use of Industrial By-products: e.g. fermentation of grain (for beer, spirits, motor fuel) produces organic residues, heat, and carbon dioxide.  the heat and organics are directed to aquaculture where they increase the growth rates of cultured fish, the carbon dioxide is used in soft drink production, and both heat and carbon dioxide improve growing conditions in hydroponic greenhouses;

• Settlement Design: integration of on-site biological systems (e.g. for food production and waste treatment) with individual dwellings and local communities.