Welcome to TERRA-MARS
Local Food Security and Restoring Biodiversity with Aquaponics
terra-mars
Our Mission
Terra-Mars’ ultimate goal is local food security for all and return 50% of the world’s arable land to the biodiversity it once supported by the year 2050.
The Problem
BIODIVERSITY
Unsustainable agribusiness and associated loss of biodiversity
WATER OVERUSE
Today 70 – 80 % of human water use is for agriculture
ARABLE LAND
Degradation and toxification of land & groundwater used for crop production
AQUIFER DEPLETION
Unsustainable decline of groundwater levels in aquifers worldwide
There is a general lack of awareness of global challenges such as excessive human water usage,aquifer depletion.water contamination and environmental damage from conventional farming.
Research and development efforts are necessary for selfcontained food production systems for harsh environments, including Mars.
The Solution
The focus of the R & D facility will be the design and implementation of a fully self-contained aquaponics food production system as it will be required for Mars colonization. The larger theme park will incorporate a Mars themed water park and resort hotel which will generate revenue and profits, some of which will be used for the R&D.
History of Aquaponics
Aquaponics is a term that was coined in the 1970s and the practice has ancient roots – although there is some debate about its first occurrence. There is speculation that the hanging gardens of Babylon were one of the earliest examples of aquaponics at approximately 600 BCE.
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Ample documented evidence describes the practice of a form of aquaponics by lowland Maya and Aztecs at approximately 1,000 CE. The Aztecs cultivated a system of agricultural islands known as chinampas in a system considered by some to be the first form of aquaponics for agricultural use.
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Chinampas are networks of canals and stationary (sometimes movable) artificial islands on which crops were cultivated. Nutrient-rich waste materials were dredged from the Chinampa canals and used to nourish the plants on the floating islands.
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....with hydroponics to form a symbiotic…
Aquaponics combines conventional aquaculture with hydroponics in a symbiotic system.
Aquaponics recirculates water from a fish tank through a vegetable grow bed. Nutrients from the fish waste feed the plants, and the plants filter the water to keep the fish healthy. The two main components of the system are the fish tank and the grow beds with a small pump moving water between the two.
Message from the Founder
If you like this project and want to help us turn our goal into reality, please spread the word online and consider contributing to our Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign at any level that works for you. Every dollar counts and is greatly appreciated!! – Sincerely, Carl F. Mazur, PhD.