Testing a novel design for an integrated multipurpose indoor ecosystem

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The project aims at building a working relationship between SRS Consulting Engineers Inc. (Markham, Ontario) and McMaster ecology team in order to design and test a novel indoor ecosystem that can be installed in a variety of spaces. SRS team specializes in "Sustainable, Resilient, and Smart Buildings" and they intend to bring to market autonomous indoor ecosystems where most elements are recycled and which will grow greens and fish. The main purpose of such systems is to enhance design and functionality of indoor spaces by providing educational, recreational, health, and food benefits. Specifically, the company can enrich their portfolio and returns by strengthening a prototype design by infusing it with ecological principles and knowledge such as aquaponics and permaculture produce a beneficial synergy and a unique product. McMaster team will work with SRS Consulting Engineers Inc team to build and test two prototype indoor ecosystems that involve production of Tilapia fish and a selection of vegetables, with energy input limited to the amount needed for photosynthesis to sustain adequate growth of the fish population. The design will rely on principles of ecological energy transfers, stabilizing effects of diversity and habitat heterogeneity, modularity, nutrient recycling, and benefits of short food chains and allometry (body size effects on productivity and rates of population growth). The main novelty of the design is separation of trophic levels (primary producers, consumers, and targeted secondary consumers (Tilapia), such that each can be optimized separately. The SRS Consulting group has expertise on the engineering side of the indoor ecosystem design while McMaster will offer sound ecological foundations to this first step in the development of a new product.