THE BIOMIMICRY TAXONOMY:

Biology Organized by Function

What is the Biomimicry Taxonomy?

A taxonomy is a system of classification. The
Biomimicry Taxonomy is a classification system
developed by the Biomimicry Institute to organize
biological content on the website AskNature
(AskNature.org). The Taxonomy categorizes the
different ways that organisms and natural systems
meet functional challenges.

On AskNature, the ways that organisms and

other living systems meet functional challenges
are called strategies. The Biomimicry Taxonomy
organizes these biological strategies by function,
that is, by what the strategy does for the
organism or living system. Organizing biological
content by function is valuable because it allows How strategies appear on AskNature.
us to look for potential solutions to similar
challenges we face as humans.

Here is an example showing how AskNature represents a strategy and a related function within
the Biomimicry Taxonomy. In the Taxonomy, functions are organized in a nested hierarchy. The top
level, “Group,” represents a broad function performed in nature, the second level a “Sub-Group”
of functions, and the third level a specific “Function.” In total, the Taxonomy features eight groups
comprised of 30 sub-groups that contain more than 160 functions.

Organism What is the organism? Namib desert beetle

Challenge What challenge must it Capturing water in a very arid climate
address?
Strategy How does the organism The beetle’s wing covers gather water from the air
address this challenge? using nanoscale bumps and body position.
(strategy) View this strategy page on AskNature.
Function Why does the organisms need To capture liquid
this strategy? This is represented by the Biomimicry Taxonomy as:
ӹӹ Group: Get, store, or distribute resources
ӹӹ Sub-group: Capture, absorb, or filter resources
• Function: Capture, absorb, or filter liquids

1 Biomimicry.org | AskNature.org
Using the Biomimicry Taxonomy on AskNature
AskNature and the Biomimicry Taxonomy provide a novel way to approach your innovation challenges.
Look to the Taxonomy as a tool when you first approach your design challenge, using its framework to
identify questions you can “ask”nature. For example, if you’re trying to make less toxic pigments, “ask”
how nature creates color. If you want to manufacture tough, lightweight building materials without
energy-intensive high pressures and temperatures, “ask” how nature manages structural forces.

AskNature offers two ways for you to ask questions of nature: using Search and using the Function
menu. Using the Search bar on the home page, you can ask questions like those posed above, for
example: “How does nature stay dry?” Further down on the homepage, links to the top level of the
Biomimicry Taxonomy enable you to quickly find strategies by function. Clicking on one of the top level
functions will lead you to a page where you can access the whole Taxonomy and the AskNature content
that addresses each function.

Using the Biomimicry Taxonomy as a Critial Thinking Tool

The Biomimicry Taxonomy is useful not just because it will help you navigate better on AskNature, but
because it provides a framework that may help you understand your challenge differently. Here’s an
example of how you could use the Taxonomy to help solve your next innovation challenge.

Innovation Challenge: You’re designing a building in an area of low rainfall. To ensure an adequate
water supply, you want your building to capture rainwater and store it for future use.

Approach #1: Identify verbs that directly define your challenge. Use the Biomimicry Taxonomy for
ideas that help you shift from predetermined thoughts of how or what you’ll design to why you’re
designing (in other words, your design’s purpose or the outcomes it must accomplish). Use verbs that
describe functions (such as: move, break down, distribute, etc.). In this example, the questions you
pose might be: How does nature…
• Capture water?
• Store water?

Approach #2: Consider concepts that go beyond your exact challenge but are related enough to why
you’re designing that they may have similar solutions. In this example, you may consider that some
organisms (like the Namib beetle) live in areas that experience little to no rain, yet they still get all of
the water they need. Use the Biomimicry Taxonomy to spark ideas for new verbs, and also think about
related nouns or synonyms. In this example, questions to pose might include: How does nature…
• Absorb water?
• Capture fog?
• Manage humidity?
• Move water?
Approach #3: Turn your question completely around. Instead of asking how nature stores water, think
about how it protects against excess water or keeps water out. Although counterintuitive, sometimes
asking the opposite of your original question can provide new insights to your real challenge. The
Biomimicry Taxonomy is a great resource for ideas of verbs that represent opposites. In this example,
you might ask: How does nature…
• Remove water?
• Stay dry?

2 Biomimicry.org | AskNature.org
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