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The Rio Report: Mawddach Permaculture Group

3. Landuse

1. We live in a potentially highly productive part of the British Isles. There is a tremendous variety of geologies, topography, soils, microclimates and plentiful water.

2. But these aspects are currently abused or ignored through over grazing, monocultures, invasive species, lack of a coherent water management, erosion, use of chemicals and unsympathetic tourism.

3. Solutions. Re-design land-use following logical, organic, permaculture principles.
   • Local production for local use.
   • Community forests.
   • Mixed forestry\farming including bio-fuels, human food, fodder for animals, textiles, building materials, dyes, medecines etc.
   • Aquacultures as part of an integrated water management systems including swales (contour rain catchement ditches) and dams at appropriate scale.
   • Diversification on all scales, from individual intensive mulch gardens to broadscale landscape. Polycultures not monocultures.
   • Small holdings with more people working on the land in supportive communities. Encourage small and part time holdings.

• Energy: Bio-fuels, hydro-electric power
• Community: More people back on the land, cooperative work, shared resources
• Economy: Locally produced goods. Export of high value items, reduced need for imports from other areas
• Employment: Jobs provided by forestry, agriculture, aquaculture, production and processing of raw materials
• Environment: Non-exploitative, non-polluting techniques. Room for wildlife

Rio 4 Community

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