Airplane
nature required
Airplane
nature required
1,000+ of organisms
Thousands of plant species, fungi, microbes, insects, soil animals and aquatic animals help sustain the landscapes and ecosystems that make this airplane possible.
plants: tropical source trees, understory plants, wetland plants, freshwater algae and soil-building groundcover
purpose: plants turn sunlight, water and soil nutrients into living growth.
fungi: tropical mycorrhizae, decomposer fungi, soil fungi and yeasts
purpose: fungi help plant roots absorb water and nutrients and break down dead matter.
microorganisms: root-associated bacteria, nutrient-cycling archaea, decomposer microbes, freshwater bacteria, protozoa and microscopic algae
purpose: microorganisms break down organic matter and recycle nutrients.
insects: tropical pollinators, decomposer insects, aquatic insect larvae and soil-dwelling insects
purpose: insects pollinate plants, recycle organic matter and control pests.
soil animals: earthworms, springtails, mites and nematodes
purpose: soil animals mix and aerate soil and break down organic matter.
aquatic animals: fish, frogs, salamanders and freshwater reptiles
purpose: aquatic animals move nutrients through freshwater food webs and regulate insect and algae populations.
plants: tropical source trees, understory plants, wetland plants, freshwater algae and soil-building groundcover
purpose: plants turn sunlight, water and soil nutrients into living growth.
4 landscapes
Four different landscapes make this airplane possible. We are constantly taking in nature in our everyday items.
mineral-rich mountains: provides bauxite, titanium, nickel, copper and other aircraft metals.
sand-rich landscapes: provides silica for windows and high-purity quartz for avionics.
tropical forests: provides natural rubber used in aircraft tyres.
freshwater systems: provides water used in mining, refining and aircraft manufacturing.
mineral-rich mountains: provides bauxite, titanium, nickel, copper and other aircraft metals.