A Call for Bio-Inspired Technologies: Promises and Challenges for Ecosystem Service Replacement

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Biomimetics
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Ecosystem services are vital for all life, but declining biodiversity and environmental destruction pose severe risks.
• Technological solutions are needed to support, enhance, or replace diminishing ecosystem services.
• Transdisciplinarity and bio-inspiration are key approaches for developing these novel technologies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the potential of bio-inspired solutions for manufacturing ecosystem services.
• To identify research gaps in technological replacement of ecosystem functions, using soil formation as a case study.
• To outline scenarios of ecosystem collapse and propose bio-inspired strategies for climate adaptation.

Main Methods:

• Text-mining of scientific literature on biomimetics and soil formation.
• Analysis of research trends to identify gaps in technological solutions for ecosystem services.
• Scenario sketching of ecosystem collapse and potential bio-inspired interventions.

Main Results:

• Fewer than 1% of biomimetic studies focus on technological replacement of soil formation.
• Significant decline in natural soil formation processes globally highlights an urgent need for solutions.
• Bio-inspired innovation can contribute to climate adaptation and sustainable development.

Conclusions:

• A critical research gap exists in developing technologies for replacing essential ecosystem services like soil formation.
• Bio-inspired approaches are promising for creating sustainable and equitable innovations.
• Further research and collaboration are needed to address ecosystem collapse and climate change challenges.